I garden in a harsher, colder climate than any of the previous reports. I grow Iris cretensis , I. unguiculares and I. lazica outdoors and have for years. These three species comprise the Series Unguiculares. Although they have persisted and increase slowly, they are just too marginal for routine bloom. Although all three HAVE bloomed for me, they do not all bloom the same year or every year. New growth is often killed by late hard freezes including flower buds. These are in a fairly exposed south facing site and may be more reliable in a sunny, but protected location in Zone 5/6. A garden challenge. Jim W. On Jan 20, 2017, at 8:16 AM, Dennis Kramb <dkramb@badbear.com> wrote: Iris cretensis is cold hardy for me in SW Ohio. I used to keep it potted & indoors in winter, but at the advice of iris guru Bill Shearer I've had it planted in the ground for about 16 years now in flower beds near the house. I've had it bloom on Christmas Day, New Years Day, and just about any other day in winter that happened to be warm & sunny. The main flush of bloom is always in February/March though. Dennis in Cincinnati Dr. James Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd Kansas City, MO 64152-2711 USA Phone 816-746-1949