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 pastel colour's have that 'painted in watercolours' effect. Standards have a tendency to open uneven which is at odds with the Falls more "finished" form. Large blooms on strong stalks with good bud count giving the plant a good length of bloom (much longer for me than just the mid season as noted in it's registration). Good plant health and reasonable increase. Will transfer this iris among the darker black and purple toned irises to display in a different landscape to see if it 'grows' on me a little more than it's done to date. It's certainly an iris that grabs your interest!

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2006-2007
New Introductions.
CABBAGES AND KINGS TB ( A Nicoll 2005) $25.00
This lovely frilled and crimped lemon has an unusual purple blush in the heart of the standards. A sweet fragrance is a bonus.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
CABBAGES AND KINGS   Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2005 Sdlg A01T5: 3. TB, 32″, (82 cm), M. Standards purple blush in centre merging to lemon at edges; style arms lemon; Falls lemon edges merging to cream centre, more intense lemon at hafts; beards lemon tipped white, gold in throat; frilled and crimped; pronounced sweet fragrance. (Knock ‘em Dead x Keppel seed, LLFBKK: 2: (Lotus Land x Fogbound)). Richmond Iris Gardens 2006/07.

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