Tammy, did you take any pics of your Irises when they were in bloom this
spring? Bearded Iris have broad petals with fuzzy lines down the center of each one ... they sort of look like pretty caterpillars!
For comparison, here are 3 types of Iris. Only one is bearded... the yellow that you see on the other 2 isn't considered a "beard", & is mostly just coloring on the petals.
Dutch Iris
Siberian Iris
Bearded Iris
I used this pic in case you're interested in knowing what the different parts are called. (I had to break off an upper petal to expose the inside of the blossom.)
The parts & inner-workings get LOTS more detailed than this, & I found Iris reproduction to be a really interesting study.
(but I won't bore you with that... this is as sophisticated as we need to get for the purpose of basic ID information!) If I'm not mistaken, Dutch Iris come from bulbs, Siberian Iris have mostly roots, & Bearded Iris have rhizomes.
Iris are VERY hardy
plants, & won't do well if you bring them inside, as they love the cold spell that winter gives them & the leaves will withstand extremely cold temperatures without batting an eye. Your new leaves are an indication that the rhizome has settled in & developed a new
plant for you! (Sometimes they will send more than just 1 or 2 in the same year, but don't be surprised if the first year
plants don't produce a
flower.)
By the way, I've really enjoyed watching you enjoy your gardens this year. Of just about all the people here, your exuberance has to take the prize!
You are
one happy gardener & there's such a fire under you that I think you're an inspiration to a lot of people, to hang in there & MAKE IT WORK!