Tall Bearded Iris "QUEEN IN CALICO"

'QUEEN IN CALICO' in my opinion is Jim Gibson's queen of the pink and purple plicata's and for its specific colouration has never been superseded. It is very appropriate that it appears in the pedigree of Keith Keppels 1999 introduction 'Tangled Web'. Still used in breeding today and equally impressive is the list of Hybridisers that have used this Iris in their breeding programs.It's the pod parent of Anton Mego's very fine tall bearded iris 'Slovak Prince' that was recently featured on this blog. Gardeners who "Only Grow Modern" irises should not be put off by 'Queen in Calico's" 21 years of age. Its consistent quality bloom, a variety of high plant health, and the very best part is its reasonable price, which gives all gardener's the opportunity to grow a impressive clump.

Gibson's Iris Garden, 146 South Villa Street, Porterville, California. 1980 Tall Bearded Introductions.
QUEEN IN CALICO ('80) M, 87cm,#65-4D, Plicata
A bright, cheerful fancy in violet and light orange, enhanced further by its ruffled, laced, fluted and serrated edges. An appropriate combination for a calico dress fit for a queen. The orange beard adds much to this unusual color combination. It is a vigorous grower and much admired in the garden for this and the unusual color pattern............................................................................$25.00

Bay View Gardens, 1201 Bay Street, Santa Cruz, California. 1982 Catalog
QUEEN IN CALICO (Gibson '80) Strikingly different pink plicata..........................................................$18.00

AIS Checklist 1979
QUEEN IN CALICO (J. Gibson, R. 1979). Sdlg. 65-4D. TB 34" (87 cm) M. Ruffled and laced light orange ground plicata, marked violet; orange beard. (Orange Plush x Anon) X (Orange Plush x 14-9A)., Gibson 1980.

The Iris 'Queen in Calico' with its correct label is sold in New Zealand by Julie May at The Iris Gardens. In North America its is still widely available and is listed with the following growers, Black Ridge Iris Gardens,Blue J Iris, Echo Iris Garden, Exline Iris Gardens, Hornbaker Gardens, Matthews Iris Garden, My Wild Iris Rows, Newport Naturals, Stanton Iris Gardens, Tennessee State Iris Gardens, The Iris Farm, The Iris Patch, Wanda Rezac Iris, Williamson Farm Flowers. In the United Kingdom try Seagate Irises. The above information thanks to Carlos Ayento of Brighton Park Iris and his incredible " MASTER HISTORIC IRIS LIST 2010"
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
 Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter