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Iris Hunting life sometimes has lucky breaks. The above iris was photographed this year in the Wallis Memorial Iris Gardens, (named after Masterton iris growers and breeders Bert and Nance Wallis), Queen Elizabeth Park, Masterton, a town close to where I live. The Wairarapa Iris Group looks after the garden and when I inquired as to its name, to my surprise (not really) no one knew!!!!!
After some research, I considered that the Iris could be ' AUTUMN PRINCE'. Just last week I received a catalogue from the Amazing Iris Garden and saw the iris was listed but no photo, so I sent my photos to Ron Busch to see if by some remote chance I was on a winning ticket with my ID. Just this minute I got off the phone to Ron and find my hunch was right - it is the same 'AUTUMN PRINCE' that he has in his photo album.
The added plus is that Ron, when explaining to me his breeding programme at the time this Iris was introduced, is that their was a strong likelihood the 'SUNSET SNOWS' would be somewhere in 'AUTUMN PRINCE' parentage.
This is a great looking iris that, whilst might not be the tallest of Tall Bearded Irises, is stunning when seen in a clump. There are several clumps in the Wairarapa of this iris growing in different gardens that I have seen since my first encounter with this iris and each clump does not disappoint, even though they probably needed dividing some years ago.
AIS Checklist 1999
AUTUMN PRINCE (R. Busch, R. 1991). Sdlg. 8391/2. TB, 36" (91 cm), M. S. white blushed lavender, copper gold centre veining; F. tan, deeper toward hafts, violet blush below yellow beard. Unknown parentage. Irwell Iris Garden 1992.
If you want a quality New Zealand Amoena Garden or Show Iris then this outstanding iris is deserving of a place in your garden, I have ordered it this year and are looking forward to its long stay in my garden.
Exclusively sold in New Zealand by Amazing Iris Garden 138 Walford Road, RD2 KATIKATI Phone 07 549-2429 or visit the web site http://irisgarden.co.nz/
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.
It is satisfying to get an 'unknown' connected to its name, isn't it?
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