Re:ABCULT

Here in Montana--where Iris have to be more cold hardy than heat hardy--most Aril-breds do very well--if they are at least 1/2 TB or bearded medians--There is a person here in town that does grow Arils with less than 1/2 Bearded--but she lives in a small 'micro-climate area' where she gets little wind in the winter and spring--
In our club garden--right out in the middle of many acres with next to no protection and where the winds from the river blow most the time--we have over 30 AB's and median AB's, quite happily growing and blooming.
Here, it usually is very low humidity--10 % or less ( this last summer is an exception)and this area is listed as 'high mountain desert'--the same as Outer Mongolia--due to the amount of precipitation we do not receive-- and the AB's are planted right in the midst of the garden--so they not only receive watering from our sprinkler system--twice a week now--but also from the system which waters the lawn surrounding the garden--
Both the AB's and Spurias--which should have water with-held at this time--are doing great--so the best advice is--pick carefully--the AB's to plant--be aware that some do not do as well as others--but some really do thrive --in other than usually described growing conditions-- and there are some quite 'Aril-looking' crosses that will thrive-there are also some others, that if one did not know that they had Aril in their background, one would never be able to tell by looking that they were part Aril-- since one of the purposes of our club garden is to show the public what is there in the variety of Irises--we grow also the AB's--usually the ones most 'Aril-looking'--
Next year--bring on the Japanese--we are thinking of trying them here also!!!!         
Carryl in western Montana zone 3/4
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