First up is an Intermediate Bearded (IB) iris, 'Backlit Beauty' (Tasco, 2010) and what a bright splash of color it is!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpJByHKACXcyDOuHTIn_FEUn4BWF4EPulV0yD7dopKeXtSRejcB_2mWwMUrPWeCLv6WC_UA7pFZGAK0uQPjC3tS-n7wxmlqYL0S-tDVbgCeGz_wJtecwa_QAHcw_Gbayv-rpKpVNj5oI/s320/backlit-beauty1-11.jpg)
Next we have Paul Black's award winning SDB 'Bluebeard's Ghost' (2006). A nice pure icy white with a strikingly deep blue beard.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICO6IjBBfSc_4fnyQEnQxkim3MZ56ws9Vn0Gcv30b_zBKG8CzPR0P-qzyOWmwtC-p2JV-zWPrX4w4OMwXrLJxPXW_Lqz9dkZanp_0WIa0U9NoLDT2qsEZGXgnnPJJAc7Brs6Q9Ry-0EM/s320/bluebeards-ghost1-11.jpg)
Another SDB with quite a different color pattern is the Aitken's own 'Pink Latte'.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglE_1p06jPZ_ppHmGxsyI0_TkyxI_nKQ-_JdfeQh3JcQ7nXMviHuXS3MmvEeJ0M1PxkmmMvIwzYa20sIWlPnT_WzP7XKgcU8qIVB-U6MT1QwP8G1482LeGcRlNqFRk5kNz7yzjL1c55Vc/s320/pink-latte1-11.jpg)
Intermediate Bearded (IB) variety 'Red Hot Chili' (M. Sutton, 2005) was a knock-your-socks-off combination of bright red and gold.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrz8UhGrmytj7uESqIztVtwT1ctxpaORUYGDp5AobuNivjC4qu67fFb3TJRxU9F6CBDKWD-YDj2lcdjQlBiNlyDW7vT97D3cXO9PkjfU3Wt3xBr60aTcahrsEMUVfOQmdiSHsXPAEU9N8/s320/red-hot-chili1-11.jpg)
Terry and Barbara have a beautiful collection of Miniature Tall Bearded (MTB) irises and many were showing off during our visit. I love their small tailored flowers. They seem very simple and graceful in their beauty. First is 'Dollie And Me', a 2011 introduction created by L. Miller. A truly wonderful color combination and a real standout in the iris rows.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82qfah6JYlsTP5VGpymowcTix3ehGEFm4XcxvrwaLCuKpSl84kzrT3hSnwjC8_T2hz4vnM0qYiJRpVFIZsEPDHI3AQuTYQU9-1NWfetpyGnm9jIGKA2Ma7NtoaOqCF3sAO2iwU8B-_0Q/s320/dollie-and-me3-11.jpg)
Another MTB with a harmonious combination of colors is 'Please' (Craig, 2005), with soft yellow standards over white falls blushed violet on the edges.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrFBTnnZWL8DlQSOgBTzoutov5UL55iiUy0FoV9867tH6kT0EmKVnUGDCyyuHY09yDexZFmiLPuiukT1qPEj9kApwELCaxFDSzHD9t3W15lML9-QM90m_OHU7wjCkgcNArVm5H68kGh4/s320/please1-11.jpg)
An unusual color combo is found in 'She's A Doll' (L. Miller, 2010). It features soft coral pink petals with the falls lightly washed with orchid pink. A very pretty effect.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TB0gn6wmORggI6J2dEXQi-HEYI-PmoE-9aFENrwLbXtplTKP-VpJh1SFHyHIxTuLOmTxQA2j477Fch-4xdUYJXaWuEixwQKsydEYSuX6Bn12VnV0cqVvg12X58q3SeiBXymW9AurN_Y/s320/shes-a-doll.jpg)
Last, but by far the least, is 'Think Spring' (S. Markham, 2003). What a delightful flower this is, with it's soft lavender-violet coloring paling at the heart.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGdx5io5AyVxllCoO1pT5YkJ-g0ZS8Buv3gP8t2p-v-gux6NmmYm2uvawtz685j_P7amm6drJG9bvLtKQsHuphSPizApH3cycoM8gdUWQvdZP2efh8Puc0HAmKn1_-yV7WgkZpEQnKp4I/s320/think-spring.jpg)
Tomorrow we'll take a look at some of the stunning Pacific Coast Irises that the Aitken's grow. Stay tuned!