Thank you , Ginger!

Just a couple of items: Holland was in the grip of Tulipomania in 1635. The 'blue flag' is said to be native to the US but was it before 1635? I did a google search on 'Dutch iris' and came up with several Connecticut inns/hotels with this name, what does this mean?

INKcognito. The Dutch iris have bulbs I think, while our gift "blue flags" (supposedly going back to imports in 1635) have rhyzomes. Never having seen the "blue flag 1635" and suspecting that our gifts are not the real thing I can't really say what kind of bulb or rhyzome the originals had.
As far as Dutch Iris Hotels/Inns are concerned they probably grow Dutch iris in their gardens or have bouquets on their tables I bet.
If this thread interests you, go to the iris forum and join.
Gnomlet