HERITAGE IRISES YEAR IN REVIEW 2012

      It was just a few days ago that doomsday theorists said it was the end of the world! never happened! Another non event was the Green Party who tried to convince us this year that 'Jack Frost' was going to become 'Jack the puddle' and that also never happened! its been a year where so called major predictions have gone hopelessly askew. My bloom season for 2012 was the same as many New Zealand growers reported, it came early and all at once making the garden very surreal. At home we...

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris 'ALISON PENNEY'

A breeding combination of Jean Stevens 'Brilliant Sunrise' and Schreiner's 'Taste of Honey'. This very impressive New Zealand bred iris by Jean Collins is one of the best ever of the classic variegata type, possessing an amazing glow which gives carrying power to the flower and on first viewing has the gardener's mind planning the special place in their garden where this iris will feature. Standards are a smooth rich gold contrasted by the bold red-brown falls bordered a rich gold which in turn has...

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris 'CABBAGES AND KINGS'

"The time has come," the Walrus said,  "To talk of many things:  Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--  Of Cabbages--and Kings--" Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, Lewis Carroll, 1872. Well yes indeed the time has come to talk of 'Cabbages and Kings'.Strong purple blush in the heart of the standards reminds me a lot of 'Freedom Road' (Gordon Plough,1976), colour placement, frills, ruffles and crimping all taking direction from the Keppel genes. Strangely elegant...

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris 'IRWELL COURAGE'

      "Lines" have come more to the fore recently as a new (or revised) pattern option and 'Irwell Courage' is a great example of how Ron Busch had brilliantly come to grips with this intriguing style. Tall strong stems with good branching hold well proportioned blooms with gentle honey standards that show some darker erratic virus flecking, violet orchid midribs, falls are wide in a handsome mulberry plum colour broadly edged in a softer tone, coupled with strong white striations (lines) on the upper...

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