Tall Bearded Iris "COFFEE CAPRI"

An absolute tried and true introduction from Barry Blyth still growing well and appreciated by a select group of gardeners in New Zealand. An exceptionally vigorous grower that consistently blooms on strong well branched stalks, and is bright enough not to have been disregarded as a so called "yesterday's" Iris.

In theory 'Coffee Capri' could be regarded as a Variegata when looking at the falls which the red colouration is definitely much darker and redder than the bluff red standards.
Variegata as a colour classification is defined in late 1950 publications as been ‘Having yellow or golden standards and brown, red, purple, or violet falls’. The historic irises like Hans Sass "Rameses", Amos Perry's "Mrs H. F. Bowles", and the Arthur Bliss "Dusky Maid" are earlier introduction's in the Variegata colour theme. To take this 1950 definition a little further, the likes of “Edith Wolford” generally described as a Bi-Color with its soft delicate light yellow standards and quiet, rippling blue-lavender falls could also be a variegata.
36 years old makes 'Coffee Capri" a mighty fine looking Historic Iris.

AIS Checklist 1979
'Coffee Capri' ( B. Blyth, R. 1975). Sdlg. G71-1. TB, 38" (97 cm), M. S. buff; F. buff, overlaid and veined red, edged buff; bronze beard. 'Apropos' X 'Latin Lover'. Tempo Two 1975/76

As you will see on the Pedigree chart below its only a few generations from Paul Cook's 'Whole Cloth'





As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded Iris "BLENHEIM ROYAL"

An Iris that is a real privilege to grow at home 'Blenheim Royal' is everything a grower wants in a Iris, it's quick to make a impressive clump that forms a captivating display of award winning blooms on show stalks. It grows along side Schreiners Tall Bearded iris 'Breakers' and Maryotts 1982 Tall Bearded iris, 'Scented Nutmeg' (yes it really has a nutmeg scent).These three would have to be among the greats in the modern, Mid Dark Blue colour tones, making a big splash of blue at bloom time,.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 74th Collectors Edition, 1999 Iris Lovers Catalog.
BLENHEIM ROYAL (Schreiner 1990) M. 38"
Blenheim Royal offers a peerless combination of rich royal purple coloration and exquistely ruffles flower. Sturdy stems sport 6-7 buds on three branches. HM '92. AM '94.

IRIS Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor.
MID DARK BLUE
BLENHEIM ROYAL is another Iris in rich mid to dark blue with a cream beard. Flowers are very well formed and of attractive balance between standards and falls. This Iris has an extra something that sets it apart from others, and as seen at Schreiner's Gardens in Oregon in 1994, is a outstanding garden Iris. This was verified by a similar performance at Hillview in 1995 where tall, strong spikes carrying eight or more buds were in bloom from mid-season for an extended period. All garden habits of 'Blenheim Royal' are excellent and it increases quickly. It is from complex breeding involving 'Sailor's Dance', 'Navy Strut', 'Full Tide', 'Master Touch', a 'Miriam Steel seedlings'.

AIS Checklist 1999.
BLENHEIM ROYAL Schreiner 1990 Tall Bearded 38" Mid Ruffled medium blue; beards cream. R 35-1: ((D 1147-A, Miriam Steel sib, x Sailor's Dance) x (Navy Strut x Full Tide)) X R 214-B: (Master Touch x unknown HM'92, AM'94

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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