>I'll also check other irises, but the news about the water irises in >Louisiana going dormant after bloom is a pity. > Andrew, Never fear. Not all of them go quite so dormant and especially if grown in 6 or more inches of water. You might ask around to see which ones look best in summer in your area. Isn't there a southern CA iris Society or two around? Other suggestions such as the new Pseudata iris are great although I am not sure of their tolerance for water over their rhizomes. They are half Japanese and Japanese Iris do not tolerate submergence year round. They have a large range of colors and patterns and are totally sterile so do not seed around Personally I think the best water iris are cvs of I. laevigata. There are single and double flowered forms, blue, white, purple and one with brilliantly variegated foliage stay looking good all season. There's also some interesting foliage reeds (Phragmites and Arundo) as well as a very pretty variegated cat tail (Typha). And for the same look a variegated foliage Acorus calamus. Very pretty with glossy leaves. Keep looking. Best Jim -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +