Message from the President

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Hi:
Now you’ve seen the great pictures and are itching to add some of these special perennials to your garden beds–why not consider joining the Society for Siberian Irises. $10.00 for US citizens, $15.00 for people overseas will bring you twice yearly info. on the latest cultivars, and a connection with others who grow these lovely plants!
Contact our membership Secretary at ssimemsec@nc.rr.com
Judy Hollingworth, President, The Society for Siberian Iris

*****

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Siberian Iris 'LUCY LOCKET'

Its great to finish the Siberian Iris Feature month with what was once considered unobtainable, a Yellow Siberian and this 2009 introduction 'LUCY LOCKET,' shows the considerable advance made recently by Hybridisers in this colour tone.Congratulations to and Well done Jan and Marty.

LUCY LOCKET . Schafer/Sacks (Seedling No. S01-91-10), 26", E-M. Small, sweet, golden yellow bitone flowers with lovely flaring form. Two branches with six buds and a long season of bloom. Foliage remains beautiful late in the Fall. Very vigorous. (((sib x Pleasures of May) x sib to Sarah Tiffney) x ((Star Cluster x Ruffled Velvet) x Isabelle) x (Kenbee x Alter Ego))) X Lady's Chain.

Big Hat tip to Jan and Marty from Joe Pye Weed's Garden for photo and information

Photo Copyright Schafer/Sacks

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Siberian Iris Back To A Bright Future

Hybridisers are somewhat shy when it comes to show and tell what is in the future breeding patterns so we are really lucky when Jeff Dunlop gave his consent for me to post these brilliantly bright new seedlings of his. Jeff had this to say "As pointed out earlier 'Another Pretty Face' is not only a lovely and pleasing new tet flower but is also proving to be a parent with interesting kids too. 'Another Pretty Face' really has a lot of red in it from both parents: a nice red Dunlop seedling, 96102-3T X Strawberry Fair (Hollingworth '94). Here are just a couple of seedlings out of 'Another Pretty Face' which appear to be especially exciting. Both of these I think of as red/blues as a quick look indicates".

Above is the stunning 02527-8T, a cross of a converted lavender McEwen seedling, S89/108F X Another Pretty Face. The aqua style arms with raspberry rims are especially prominent and increase the wow factor of this seedling. Nice red standards and very wide blended red/blue falls with small white signals are a special plus too. This one has been lined out and may be ready within a few years if it performs well.





The second seedling is 03092-1T, a superb All American colored seedling. Falls and standards are blends of reds and blues with white signals and white wire rims. Styles have tones of light red, aqua and near white. Elements of the flower have nice width and great ruffling making for a pleasing package. This is a cross of Another Pretty Face X Miss Portland (Dunlop '06) a wonderful starchy blue with a white signal and a white wire rim.

Massive hat tip once again to Jeff for Photo and information

Please note that in the 2 photos, all 3 of the flowers have been crossed. The evidence is clearly seen by anthers inserted in the stigmatic lips of all 3 blossoms, to make the new cross, if the pollen takes.

Photo Credit and Copyright Jeff Dunlop

Visitors are welcome to click on any photo to view a larger image

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Siberian Iris 'WEALDEN MYSTERY'

Another species look alike variety which I have gathered by page viewed statistics to date are the most popular Siberian Irises with visitors to this blog.

From Aulden Farm Catalogue
Iris sibirica 'Wealden Mystery' £ 5.00
From the same cross as 'Wealden Butterfly' came this stunning plant. Blue standards and style arms, falls ivory but with exquisite blue veining. Floriferous. Ht 90cm

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
WEALDEN MYSTERY Wells, Olga Reg. 2005 Sdlg. F0B5 SIB (dip.) (36" 91 cm) EM. S. vivid bright blue-violet,upright; style arms bright blue-violet held at 45°, deeper red-violet either side of rib; F. ivory ground, deep yellow-gold hafts, bright blue-violet signal lines radiate out blending to solid blue-violet at tip; small flower, vertical form. Flight of Butterflies X Cambridge

Photo Credit and big hat tip to Alun and Jill Whitehead of Aulden Farm
 

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Siberian Iris 'SWEET LITTLE SUSIE '

Look its really great to show the latest and greatest Siberian Iris but it would be wrong not to point out to readers that, listed within the 2009 catalogues of Siberian Irises from all growers contains some fantastic varieties with reasonable price tags .(Check out Siberian Links for a grower in your area).
Sweet Little Susie is one of many great selections available in the six to eight dollar price range, an amazing shorter growing iris for the front of the border. So if you are new to growing Siberians or have never tried these Irises you can buy a great perennial priced for way less than a flat of Annuals.

Joe Pye Weeds Garden have an great range which includes a few special priced Siberian Irises which are available for Spring shipping only, and will not be available again after that. These are marked in the catalogue with *Spring only, and all are very fine Siberians. Catalogue can be downloaded.

Joe Pye Weed's Garden 2009 Catalogue
SWEET LITTLE SUSIE - '01, EM, 22". Nice short habit makes it perfect for a smaller garden. Periwinkle blue flowers - lighter in the standards and deeper in the falls. Large cheerful white signals. Medium to small flowers have soft ruffles and archingform. 

3 to 4 flowers per stalk .............................................. $6.00

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
SWEET LITTLE SUSIE Schafer, Marty and Sacks, Jan Reg. 2001 Sdlg. S94-30-1 SIB (dip.) (22" 56 cm) EM. Medium hyacinth to wisteria blue (RHS 91 A, 92A) self, F. with large round white signal veined violet-blue; ruffled; slight fragrance. S90-45-2: (S86-16-1: (Percheron x Isabelle) x Sailor's Fancy) X S92-65-1: (S89-9-2: (Isabelle x Silver Illusion) x Snow Prince). Joe Pye Weed's Garden 2001.

Big Hat tip to Jan and Marty from Joe Pye Weed's Garden for photo and information

Photo Copyright Schafer/Sacks

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Siberian Iris 'LOVE ALWAYS'

An unusual shade of lavender-blue is presented in a ruffled flower with elegant wide, overlapping form. The falls are decorated with a small white signal, veined violet, and surrounded by a bluer glow. Beautiful upright foliage and stems.

AIS Checklist 2005
LOVE ALWAYS Calvin Helsley, Reg. 2008 Sdlg. 05-03. SIB, 35" (89 cm), M ; S. medium lavender-blue (RHS 94B) veined violet; style arms lavender blue, turquoise midrib; F. same as S., bluer area around small violet veined white signal; ruffled, flat form. Where Eagles Dare X Rosy Bows. Iris City 2009.

Introduced this year by Iris City Gardens who have an very extensive catalogue of Siberian Irises with a very good price range.

Big hat tip to Greg McCullough for his help, information and Photo's
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo Copyright Greg McCullough

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WEBSITE IS BLACKED OUT

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THIS WEBSITE IS BLACKED OUT

This Saturday, February 28th, Section 92A of the Copyright Act is due to come into force.

This website has voluntarily been taken down in protest against this law, which will be used to disconnect New Zealanders from the internet based on accusations of copyright infringement, without a trial and without evidence held up to court scrutiny.

May we be very clear: we do not support or condone copyright infringement or illegal downloads.

But this blatant disregard towards the basic human right to a fair trial is completely unjust and unworkable and it has the potential to punish New Zealand businesses and individuals were in fact no laws have been broken.

Similar laws have been rejected in the EU as being against "a fair balance between various fundamental rights", rejected in the UK due to "impracticalities", and rejected in Germany as being 'Unfit for Germany, Unfit For Europe'.

We don't care who voted for the law in the first place. We just want it stopped. We call on the Minister responsible, National's Simon Power, to do the right thing and repeal Section 92A immediately.

Visit CreativeFreedom.org.nz to learn more

THIS BLOG HAS BEEN BLACKED OUT FOR 24 HOURS AS OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROTEST.

YIPPEE!!! Just Announced Controversial internet law on hold

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Siberian Iris 'WHITE COLLAR BLUE'

Tempo Two Catalogue 2005-06
WHITE COLLAR BLUE Blyth, Barry EM. 28-30" 71-76 cm Standards tending towards and are red violet and lightening towards the edge. Fall are bluish violet with a very fine wire edge of pale blue. Style arms are white with a slight turquoise midrib and feathering at the end.Schafer S92-97-12: (S90-43-1: (Sailor's Fancy x S86-8-1, Trim the Velvet sib) x S89-9-2: (Isabelle x Silver Illusion)) X Three Hand Star Sdlg No.J252-4

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
WHITE COLLAR BLUE Blyth, Barry Reg. 2004 Sdlg. J252-4 SIB (dip.) (28-30" 71-76 cm) EM. S. red-violet, pointed;
style arms white, turquoise midrib, feathered at tip; F. bluish violet, pale blue wire edge. Sib to So Be It; seed from M. Schafer cross S97-43. Tempo Two 2005/06.

Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth

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Siberian Iris 'HUNTRESS '

Tempo Two Catalogue 2005-06
HUNTRESS Blyth, Barry EML, 36" 91 cm Lemon-grey standards with a lighter edge. Falls are coppery -brown with an all over deeper veining and a large gold signal. Stylearms are lavender-grey. An elegant and stately plant with 3-4 buds and some later stems. A great new colour pattern in Siberian Iris. Delightful

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
HUNTRESS Blyth, Barry Reg. 2004 Sdlg. J245-4 SIB (dip.) (36" 91 cm) EML. S. lavender-grey with lemon-gold bordered
edge, style arms lavender-grey; F. coppery brown with all over deeper brown veining and spreading gold area to halfway
down falls. Sarah Tiffney X Tom Schaefer; seed from M. Schafer cross S97-23. Tempo Two 2004/05

Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth

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Siberian Iris ' HEARTWAVE '

More Barry Blyth Introductions just catalogue and Checklist descriptions and I'll let the photos do the talking.

Tempo Two Catalogue 2005-06
HEARTWAVE Blyth, Barry VE-M. 28" 71 cm The best shade of pink we have seen to date. Its a soft , pastel raspberry pink with slightly lighter standards and pinkish white stylearms. It has a small golden signal. Very smooth colour and loads of flowers

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
HEARTWAVE Blyth, Barry Reg. 2004 Sdlg. J253-3 SIB (dip.) (28" 71 cm) VE-M. S. light pink over white; style arms
pinkish white, grey toward base; F. slightly deeper pink over white, small yellow hafts. Strawberry Social X S92-70-18,
Fond Kiss sib; seed from M. Schafer cross S97-62-A. Tempo Two 2004/05.

Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth
 

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2008 British Dykes Medal Winner, Siberian Iris 'PETER HEWITT'

Photo Credit and big hat tip to Aulden Farm

My congratulations to Jennifer Hewitt for her Dykes Medal Award for the Siberian Iris 'Peter Hewitt' which continues a proud British Iris Society tradition of awarding DM to beardless Irises. Available in England from Alden Farms who have a great catalogue of Iris.

Alden Farm Catalogue 2009 Iris sibirica 'Peter Hewitt' £ 5.00 A dependable iris producing plentiful flowers and deserving its Dykes Medal. A combination of violet-blue against an eye catching deep gold signal. The falls are usually bounded by a gold edge. An attractive addition to any garden.





The Dykes Medal
Siberian Iris ‘Peter Hewitt’
This iris, bred by Jennifer Hewitt and named for her late husband, is the first British cultivar to receive this highest and most prestigious award since TB ‘Alexia’ in 2006 and, before that, TB ‘Darley Dale’ in 2001. Often the award is not given unless an iris is considered worthy of receiving it and ‘Peter Hewitt’ certainly is. Registered in 2003 this iris blooms mid-late season at a height of 37ins (94cm). It is described as having violet blue standards, fading to wisteria blue with darker veins; turquoise style arms and falls of deep blue violet, bluer around the deep gold signal and edged gold. Its parentage is ‘Coronation Anthem’ x ‘Gold Edge’.
Olga Wells

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises

PETER HEWITT Hewitt, Jennifer Reg. 2003 Sdlg. TE 969/B1. SIB (tet.) (37" 94 cm) ML. S. violet-blue (RHS 90A) lightening with age to wisteria blue (92A) veined darker violet; style arms turquoise, edges and crests brownish lilac aging medium violet; F. deep blue-violet (near 83A) aging violet-blue (89C), bluer around deep gold signal, petal edge gold; flared S., semi-flared to arched F., slight fimbriation on style arms. Coronation Anthem X Golden Edge. AGM 2005

It is probably an opportune time to note that the first ever Iris awarded a Dykes Memorial Medal was formally made at the General Meeting of the Iris Society (BIS) on November 30th 1927 to Mr Amos Perry for his hybrid between I.Chrysographes and I. Douglasiana named MARGOT HOLMES.

It was a major logistical exercise to piece this post together. I offer my sincere thanks to the following people for their help, which has allowed the sharing of their information with the visitors to this blog. Jennifer Hewitt, Olga Wells, Editor BIS Yearbook, Clive Russell, Chairman BIS, Julian Browse of Seagate Irises.

To Alun and Jill Whitehead of Alden Farm who have recently become the guardians for the old National Collection of Siberian Iris in England, all the very best for getting the status renewed and a Huge thanks for the Photo and information.

Massive hat tip to Anne Milner for her guidance and steering me in the right direction around English Iris Circles.

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Siberian Iris 'PARASOL'

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The Siberian Iris PARASOL, formerly known as 'HARASUGATA' clumps up well. The style will probably not appeal to traditional Siberian Iris purist, but these spectacular forms of Siberians can add novelty to the perennial border.

SSI Checklist 2006
PARASOL Shidara, Ho Reg. 1999 SIB (dip.) (30" 76 cm) S. absent; style arms white; F. light to medium lavender-pink, small yellow-green signal, multiple (6). Unknown parentage. Ensata Gardens 1997.

Available in USA from Ensata Gardens and Draycott Gardens

Another extraordinary hat tip to Mike Unser for sharing the photo which is an outstanding display of this variety.
Photo copyright M Unser.

*****

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Siberian Iris 'HELICOPTER'

Society for Siberian Irises Checklist 2006
HELICOPTER Shidara, Ho by Ben Hager Reg. 1988 Sdlg HO#6 SIB (dip.) (32" 81 cm) M Six falls (no standards), dark violet. Petals reach out horizontally, and the sharply contrasting gold-leaf signals do suggest the propellers on a helicopter. 3" flowers. Description from Melrose Catalog. Unknown parentage. Melrose Gardens 1988 HM 1990

Available in USA from Ensata Gardens

Extraordinary hat tip to Mike Unser for sharing the photo which is an outstanding display of this variety.
Photo copyright M Unser.

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Siberian Iris 'BELIEVE IN ANGELS'

Emphasis is on form with this new white Siberian iris. Horizontally flaring, flat flowers are ruffled to the extreme! Newly opened flowers have pale yellow falls that become creamy white by the second day with yellow veining streaming from the small lemon-yellow signals. You will believe!

AIS Checklist 2005
BELIEVE IN ANGELS Calvin Helsley, R. 2005 , Sdlg. 04-17. SIB, 33" (84 cm), ML ; White self, signal bright lemon yellow, some veining half way down F., all petals edged with small ruffles; flat form. Ships Are Sailing X Where Eagles Dare. Iris City 2009.

Introduced this year by Iris City Gardens who have an very extensive catalogue of Siberian Irises with a very good price range.

Big hat tip to Greg McCullough for his help, information and Photo's

Photo Copyright Greg McCullough

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Siberian Iris 'THEN SINGS MY SOUL'

A clump of this iris will draw you from across the garden. Well branched stems have flowers of violet blue with reddish tones. The style arms are red violet with copper tinges. Very slight white signals are veined violet.
Calvin Helsley has always been a hybridiser that I have admired for his talent of consistenly producing no fuss Siberians that form good clumps with copious bloom stalks. His 1984 introduction 'Mabel Coday' is still a standout Siberian in my Garden and much admired by garden visitors. The current 2009 introductions are a continuation of a 28 year legacy and long may it continue.

AIS Checklist 2005
THEN SINGS MY SOUL Calvin Helsley, Reg. 2005 Sdlg. 05-02. SIB, 32" (81 cm), EM ; S. red violet; style arms same, copper tints; F. violet blue, reddish tints, signal white, very small, veined violet blue; rounded form. Ragtime Dance X Where Eagles Dare. Iris City 2009.

Introduced this year by Iris City Gardens who have an very extensive catalogue of Siberian Irises with a very good price range.

Big hat tip to Greg McCullough for his help, information and Photo's

Photo Copyright Greg McCullough

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Siberian Iris 'GATINEAU'

GATINEAU by Miss Isabella Preston of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada, was a significant advance Siberian Iris hybridising in the 192o's by Crossing Iris sibirica maxima with Snow Queen and is a good example of the Hybrid Vigour that can be achieved when crossing two inbred varieties. The more recent use of 'Snow Prince' is a similar example. Available in USA and Canada from Chuck Chapman Iris.



Excerpt From The Iris Society (BIS) Year Book 1935 page 31
A Few Notes on Breeding Iris Sibirica by Isabella Preston
The orientalis variety Snow Queen grows very well at the experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada and it seemed a pity that these beautiful flowers could not be grown on longer stems. So crosses were made between Iris sibirica maxima and I. orientalis var. Snow Queen. The cross was made both ways and a number of seedlings obtained. They were all blue but varied a great deal in the shade, markings and size of flower. Several of these were named after Canadian rivers. GATINEAU is one of the best of the pale blues. Others that have been named are Abitibi, Chaudière, Kootenay, Madawaska, Ottawa, and Rideau. Two of the seedlings were crossed with the pollen of Snow Queen and one of the seedlings was named Mattawin. It is a medium shade of blue. There were some white amongst the seedlings but none was considered an improvement on Snow Queen.

Snow Queen (Collected By Peter Barr Listed 1900 Collected in Japan SIB (dip.) (18" 46 cm) M & re White form of I.sanguinea. Peter Barr 1900 AM: RHS: 1902) and Iris sibirica maxima is listed in 1908 Bulletin 2nd Series 5 as growing at the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada

I am speculating but feel seed from Isabella Preston was taken to England by Lady Byng of Vimy. ( Lord Byng was the Governor General of Canada 1921-1926) I know for certain that Lady Byng exhibited Canadian introductions 'Caesar' and 'Ottawa' , at the Iris Society Show, Vincent Square, June 8th 1928. Ottawa is illustrated in "Gardeners Chronicle" of June 16th 1928.

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
GATINEAU Preston, Isabella Reg. 1930 SIB (dip.) (32" 81 cm) M Plants vigorous and erect, foliage 36" long. Flower stems 36-42" high. Flowers open, well proportioned, standards cupped, erect, 2.1 x .75", Gentian blue (HCC 42/2) veined Gentian blue (HCC 42/1). F. flaring, 2.75 x 1.5", Wisteria Blue (HCC 640) veined darker blue, haft creamy yellow with brown striations extending over upper half of petal. Style and crest pale blue. Description from Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, Vol. 78, Page 426 (1953). "Sibirica maxima" X Snow Queen. Kellogg 1932. AM 1933 AM (RHS) 1953

Big hat tip once again to The British Iris Society and their amazing Yearbooks for Photo and information

Top hat tip to Chuck Chapman for sharing another classy Historic Iris photo.

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Siberian Iris 'HOW AUDACIOUS'

With seven Morgan Wood Medals to his name and Countless Awards of Merit and Honourable Mentions, Bob Hollingworth's 2009 Siberian Iris ' HOW AUDACIOUS' is another award winning Iris in the making. A tetraploid out of Ruffles and Flourishes and a seedling out of Currier x Bright and Beautiful. Tetraploid Siberians have features that include bigger plants, foliage and flowers.

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
HOW AUDACIOUS Robert Hollingworth, Reg. 2009  Sdlg. 02B10B10. SIB (tet.), 34" (86 cm), ML ; S. red violet; style arms blue violet, brown pink tips and edges; F. blue violet shading to red violet at edge, cream wire rim, cream dashes over outer petals give plicata effect, yellow signal area covers half of petal. Ruffles and Flourishes X 97B1A2, Bright and Beautiful sib. Ensata 2009.

Many of Bob Hollingworth's award winning Siberians have been imported into New Zealand

Extraordinary hat tip to Judy Hollingworth for sharing the photo which is outstanding.

Photo copyright Windwood Gardens

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Siberian Iris 'SO VAN GOGH'

This is another colour advance from Jan Sacks and Marty Schafer. These smaller flowering species like Siberians are very popular when seen by Garden Visitors and after first viewing rapidly become a must have plant.

Joe Pye Weed's Garden 2005 Introductions
SO VAN GOGH - 2005, EM, 30” Schafer/Sacks
Everyone who saw the large clump of this iris in 2004 mentioned Vincent Van Gogh. The flower is stunningly different, the first bi-color 28-chromosome Siberian we have ever seen with purple standards and yellow falls.It is not a perfect flower, the form is species like and there is a small notch in the end of each fall. It make up for its small flowers size with big clump performance.The standards are a lovely blue-purple (RHS 91B to 90B)with darker veining (RHS 89B at it darkest). The falls are yellow,(RHS 18C)lighter at the edges and darker at the signal, with purple veining (RHS 89A). The styles are blue-purple with darker highlights. There are 3 terminal buds and 1 branch for a total of 5 buds. It starts flowering early and continues for a long time. Sdlg No S97-20-10 Sarah Tiffney X Banish Misfortune




Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
SO VAN GOGH Marty Schafer/Jan Sacks, Reg. 2005 Sdlg. S97-20-10. SIB, 30" (76 cm), EM ; S. and style arms medium blue-violet (RHS 90B to 91B), darker veining and edges (89B at darkest); F. yellow (13C), lighter at edge, darkest at signal, veined blue violet (89A to 90B), darkest at tip, signal yellow, veined deep blue-violet, blends into F. Sarah Tiffney X Banish Misfortune. Joe Pye Weed 2005. HM 2008, AM 2010.

Big Hat tip to Jan and Marty from Joe Pye Weed's Garden for photos and information

Photo Copyright Schafer/Sacks

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Siberian Iris 'BUTTER AND SUGAR'

Considered to be the first 'Yellow' Siberian and possibly the most important colour break in Siberian Iris breeding at the time.
Hybridised by Currier McEwen the father of modern day Siberian Irises.
Falls of bright butter yellow between neat white standards. The large, shapely flowers are carried on 70cm stems, and in our garden 'Butter and Sugar' blends in well with other plants in the perennial border. Awarded the Morgan Award and the Morgan-Wood Medal. As a 33 year old it has become a relatively new Historic Iris.

Available World Wide and very reasonably priced. Check Siberian link list for a grower in your region.

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
BUTTER AND SUGAR McEwen, Currier Reg. 1976 Sdlg 71/33(2) SIB (dip.) (27" 69 cm) M & re S. white with greenish yellow veins (RHS 154B); white styles with yellow midribs; F. yellow (5C), with greenish yellow veins. Floating Island X Dreaming Yellow. McEwen 1977 HM 1978; MORGAN AWARD 1981; MORGAN-WOOD MEDAL 1986

Extraordinary hat tip to Mike Unser for sharing the photo which is an outstanding display of this variety.
Photo copyright M Unser.

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Siberian Iris 'GRANDIS'

GRANDIS an Historic Siberian Iris that is just as elegant today, as the day it was introduced 97 years ago. A great example of classic form.It is appropriate to feature an heirloom Siberian iris introduced by Bertrand H. Farr . Considered to be the first person in the United States to take up seriously the breeding of Irises, his first introduction being in 1909.Indication of I. sibirica parentage are the bud pattern, height, and form.

 Beauty from Bulbs' Catalogue published by John Scheepers Inc, 522 Fifth Avenue, New York City, Administration Buildings and Display Gardens at Brookville, Long Island.1939
GRANDIS This variety has rich violet standards and styles with white falls beautifully veined rich violet and bronze veining at the throat. Very unusual on account of these markings on the falls which are prominent because they hang straight down Height 45 inches.

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
GRANDIS Listed SIB (dip.) (36" 91 cm) E B3L. Blue-violet standards and style arms, white area on falls; F. reticulated with blue-violet lines that coalesce at the tips. Listed as superceded in 1939 CL. Synonyms: Sibirica Grandesse; sibirica grandis. Unknown parentage. Farr 1912.

Available in Canada from Chuck Chapman Iris who has a great selection of Siberian Irises both modern and Historic

Big hat tip to Chuck Chapman for sharing the photo which is pure class.
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo copyright C. Chapman.

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Siberian Iris 'SO BE IT'

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Tempo Two Catalogue 2005-06
SO BE IT (Blyth 05 Aust.) EM 34" Gorgeous and rounded pure white and with a hardly noticeable lemon area right in the throat. Horizontally flared and lightly ruffled. Loads of bloom like a snow fall. Schafer S92-97-12: (S90-43-1: (Sailor's Fancy x S86-8-1, Trim the Velvet sib) x S89-9-2: (Isabelle x Silver Illusion)) X Three Hand Star Sdlg No.J252-2


Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth

*****

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Siberian Iris 'PROPHET'S KISS'

I think that this variety is Truly Amazing!

Tempo Two Catalogue 2004-05
PROPHET'S KISS (Blyth, 04 Aust) (24" 61 cm) EML.Standards are a soft greyed lavender with deeper veining and lemon edges. Falls are a washed brownish rose with a large gold signal. Stylearms are greyed lemon with with a deeper turquoise midrib. A long season with lots of flowers over a compact clump. A new colour combination in Siberian Irises Sdlg. J245-1 Sib to Huntress. Seed from M. Schafer cross S97-23.

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
PROPHET'S KISS Barry Blyth, Reg. 2004 Sdlg. J245-1. SIB, 24" (61 cm), EML ; S. greyed violet lemon; style arms grey lemon, turquoise midrib; F. brownish rose, gold signal extending 1/3 way down and heavily veined brownish rose. Seed from M. Schafer cross S97-23. Sib to Huntress. Tempo Two 2004/05.

Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth

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Siberian Iris 'TROUBLED WATERS'

TROUBLED WATERS

Tempo Two Catalogue 2005-06
TROUBLED WATERS (Blyth 05 Aust.) EM 36" Huge blooms slightly waved and with broad falls. Standards are Blue lavender. Style arms are blue white with a turquoise haze. Falls are deep blue-lavender with 1/16" edge of Standard colour. There is a very small signal. Tall and stately with some secondary flower stems. (Seed from M Schafer crosses;Sib to "So Be It" ) Sdlg. J252-5

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
TROUBLED WATERS Barry Blyth, Reg. 2005 Sdlg. J252-5. SIB, 36" (91 cm), EM ; S. blue to blue lavender; style arms blue white hazed turquoise; F. deep blue-lavender, ¹⁄₁₆˝ edge of S. color; signal absent. Seed from M. Schafer cross S97-43. Sib to So Be It. Tempo Two 2005/06.

Massive hat tip to Barry Blyth for sharing the photos and information

Photo copyright B. Blyth

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Barry Blyth's Siberian Irises

Barry has kindly sent me ten photos of his more recent Siberian Irises to share and starting today with 3 great varieties, and the balance to be posted over the period of Siberian February 

Barry Blyth is a world class hybridizer with a half century of introduction's and has made a fantastic contribution to the Iris world which thankfully included Siberian Irises. However he is not listing, selling or growing Siberian Iris any longer. Barry and his partner Lesley are cutting way back and taking it easy, and are now just concentrating on TB's.

As far as far as he is aware the varieties that he named are all in US and certainly in various parts of Europe but he has no idea if anyone is selling them or making them available. Here's hoping I can find out and pass on the information.Top iris breeders often feed off each others ideas. These most recent introductions are a Collaboration between Marty Schafer and Barry Blyth. Two great iris breeders working together to create some stunning new cultivars

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Siberian Iris 'DREAMING OF YOU'

'Dreaming of You' is in a word, 'Elegant'

It give's me great delight to display another standout Siberian from the talented hybridizing duo, Dunlop & Cole. Introduced last season 2008 by Fieldstone Gardens Maine,USA.

From Fieldstone Gardens Catalogue 2008
DREAMING OF YOU (Jeff Dunlop,R. 2007). Sdlg. 994336-1T. SIB (tet), 26" (66cm), Mid to Late. Ruffled light yellow near amoena. S. near white, slightly darker veins near center base; style arms very light yellow with darker midribs. Falls light yellow (RHS 4B) with deep yellow hafts, signal area and throat. Extravagant ruffling overall, and probably the most ruffled Siberian we know. Flower fades to very light yellow (RHS 4D) at the end of the bloom period. The first color fast yellow tetraploid with good form and great ruffling. One branch with 3-4 blooms. McEwen T9/38-1 X McEwen T9 95/94-9. Dunlop & Cole, Fieldstone Gardens, 2008.

Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
DREAMING OF YOU Jeff Dunlop, Reg. 2007  Sdlg. 99436-1T. SIB (tet.), 26" (66 cm), ML ; S. near white, slightly darker veins near center base; style arms very light yellow, darker midribs; F. light yellow (RHS 4B) fading to near white (4D), deep yellow hafts, signal area and throat; ruffled. McEwen T9 95/38-1 X McEwen T9 95/94-9. Fieldstone 2008.

Big hat tip once again to Jeff for Photo and information
Visitors are welcome to click on any photo to view a larger image
Photo Credit and Copyright Jeff Dunlop

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