Terminology

Iris Terminology

BB - Border Bearded - stems ranging from 16 to 18 inches in height. These irises average the same height as the Intermediate Bearded, but bloom with the Tall Bearded Irises.

IB - Intermediate Bearded - stems ranging from 16 to 28 inches in height. These irises are similiar to the Border Bearded in height, but bloom earlier in the season, usually with the daffodils and tulips.

MDB - Miniature Dwarf Bearded - stems ranging up to 8 inches in height. These irises are the earliest to bloom and have the smallest blooms.

MTB - Miniature Tall Bearded - stems ranging from 16 to 27 inches in height. These irises bloom with the Tall Bearded Iris.

SDB - Standard Dwarf Bearded - stems ranging from 8 to 16 inches in height. These irises bloom right after the Miniature Dwarf Bearded irises and the daffodils and tulips.

TB - Tall Bearded - stems ranging from 27 to 40 inches in height. By far the most popular of all of the bearded iris.

Bloom time for irises is from late March until June and longer for rebloomers which can rebloom into October depending on your geographic location.

Beards - These are the fuzzy hairs (look like fuzzy caterpillars) on the upper part of the three lower petals, known as the falls.

Falls - These are the three lower and outward curving petals of the iris.

Flounces - These are canoe or fan shaped appendages that extend out of the end of the beards.

Horns - These are an extension from the beards that point upward.

Lace - A wavy or frilly edge on the petals.

Rebloomers - These are irises that bloom more than once in a season. Usually this type of iris will bloom early in the spring and then again later in the season.

Rhizome - This is the thick root/bulb that produces the leaves and stems/stalks.

Ruffles - A wavy or rippling effect over the entire petal.

Self - When the standards and falls are the same color.

Signal - This is an area, patch or pattern of a different color on the top part of the falls, below the beards.

Spoons - These are spoon shaped appendages that extend out of the end of the beards.

Standards - These are the three petals at the top of the iris that are turned inward and surround the style arms.

Style Arms - These are the three small petals inside of the three standard petals.

Daylily Terminology

Bloom Season - Extra Early (EE); Early (E); Early Midseason (EM); Midseason (M); Late Midseason (ML); Late (L); Very Late (VL)

Foliage Habit - Semi-evergreen (SEV); Evergreen (EV); Dormant (DOR)