An iris that I was recently introduced to and which is a fast grower is Japanese Roof Iris (Iris tectorum). It grows in a fan shape. Comes in white and purple. Spreads nicely.

While not an bearded iris, it seems to be just as nice!

P.S. thanks for your note about the other post; I appreciate it.

An article in Southern Living recommended Blue Sapphire (light blue), Mary Frances (light orchid blue), Stepping Out (purple & white), and Victoria Falls (powder blue). I have an unknown intermediate bi-color in my garden that has done extremely well. All the named ones I've planted haven't done too well, but I think it's because the area I planted them in was too moist. I moved them this year, so we'll see.

I've had wonderful luck with Hello Darkness once the plant matured enough. I bought a couple if very small tubers from Wal Mart and saw no blooms at all for the first couple of years. The following fall I got mad and planted them in back of the house between the air conditioning unit and the garbage can.

The following February I was tossing some trash and noticed the plants had begun spreading, and there were 2-3 bloom stalks starting to emerge.

This year I got 5 stalks from a 3 1/2' wide clump. The show started in early March and my last stalkfull faded about a week and a half ago.

Plus it's lightly scented!

Thanks, y'all! I will definitely check out these recommendations. Any comments on how the foliage looks on these plants in late summer?

Well, a few of the leaves get a little ratty, but they're also close to a 60 year old oak that drops branches every time it rains, so I chalk a lot of the damage up to "branch impact"