The reticulate iris hybrid ‘Natascha’ is blooming now in one of the frames. It gets smaller yearly but still blooms. I’ve asked this question before, but I don’t think I ever got an answer: is this cultivar in some way derived from Iris vartanii? It reminds me of that species in some ways. Another interesting iris is also beginning to bloom: Iris tuberosa (Hermodactylus tuberosus). I’ve seen some hardiness claims for this plant which I now regard as fantastic. I can’t keep it going in the open garden here in zone 7 Maryland, but it thrives in a cold frame. Has anyone else been able to establish this plant in the garden in zones 7, 6 or colder? It’s a really striking flower, well worth a bit of trouble. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7 My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/