Bob, Iris ‘Dardanus’ is one of the regeliocyclus hybrid irises (the name comes from the name of a group of irises named for Regel, the nineteenth century German/Russian botanist and oncocyclus, the name of another group of irises). I think you’ll find it easy to grow if, and this is important, you keep it very dry during its dormant period. I would suggest beginning to dry the plants off right after they bloom if your soil is at all heavy. By “dry them off” I mean put something transparent over the growing plants (leaving the sides open for ventilation) to keep off all rain. In older books you will sometimes see the recommendation to dig the plants for the summer. That might work in some climates or under some conditions, but in general if you dig the plants too soon you will damage the roots which remain lively for a while after the leaves die down. A few years ago I gave a piece of this plant to a friend who now grows it in a pot. I don’t think she has been all that careful about keeping it completely dry during the summer, and it continues to grow for her. But I would not count on that sort of treatment being successful. When the plants come into bloom, drop what you are doing and go enjoy them. They will be gone for another year before you know it. 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/