Another photo taken in the interesting historic Iris collection of Mrs Mary Greaves in Masterton. It is the Jean Stevens Iris that I am looking forward to seeing flowering again this season. I have always considered this to be one of the Neon Sign's for Jeans breeding and the reference in her hand written notes of 'Very Brilliant' could also apply to the hybridiser herself. Its from a 1936 Carl Salbach Iris 'Radiant' with its standards of golden bronze and falls of velvety brick red, and was crossed with the 1939 copper apricot self of 'May Day' by David Hall hence the name 'Radiant Day'. Growing this iris in front the dark green leaves of camellias would make for an amazing colour contrast.
Stevens Bros Wanganui, Irises Catalogue 1946-47
RADIANT DAY (reg. 46) 1 /S41. Radiant X May Day Each year sees the Bearded Iris gain an added brilliance as the brighter notes of nature's colour box yields to the breeder's assault. Here we have an iris that is almost gaudy - standards of bright apricot gold, and falls of orangey-copper-red, brilliant as some tropic bird. Fair substance and very free flowering. 3’6”
D'Arcy Blackburn's Catalogue 1953-54
Radiant Day (Stevens) A brilliant colouring with standards of apricot gold and falls of orangey copper red this iris has fair substance and is wonderfully free flowering
2011 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
RADIANT DAY Mrs J. Stevens, Reg., 1946. Sdlg. 1/S41. TB, 42″, L, Y9M.S. Apricot gold. F. Red, copper, orange, with orange beard. Very brilliant. 3½ft.; Description J Stevens Studbook notes,‘1944 blooming’; Each year see's the Bearded Iris gain an added brilliance as the brighter notes of nature's colour box yields to the breeder's assault. Here we have an iris that is almost gaudy - standards of bright apricot gold, and falls of orangey-copper-red, brilliant as some tropic bird. Fair substance and very free flowering. 3½ft.; Description Stevens Bros 1957-58.Radiant X May Day. 'Novelties' Stevens Bros 1946-47
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter
That really is radiant! I thought it was a Canna at first glance. I had no idea Iris come in such bright colours.
ReplyDeleteI collect Historic Irises. I think I have Radiant Day but someone said it was never sold in the US. Can you help? Are you a HIPS member?
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