French Historic Tall Bearded Iris JACQUESIANA

In 1839 Jean-Nicolas Lémon had published in the Annales de Flore et de Pomone a list of one hundred varieties which were mostly irises he had raised and named, 'Jacquesiana' was included in this list. Then once again in the Annales de Flore et de Pomone ou Journal des Jardin in 1841 Lémon had another article published in which he featured five of his new introductions in more detail and these varieties accompanied by a beautiful colour plate. These irises were Iris de Boismilon, Iris Madame Rousselon, Iris Madame...

Read More

COLOURED PLATE OF IRIS GEORGE THORBECK and I. VARIEGATA AUREA.

GARDEN FLORA PLATE 1143 IRISES AND IRIS GARDENS.  WITH A COLOURED PLATE OF — 1, IRIS GEORGE THORBECK ; 2, I. VARIEGATA AUREA.* 'The Garden' November 6th 1897 Here are figures of two blossoms from an Iris border made about one year from the time of blooming, and although so short a time after the formation of the border, the general result is very pretty, but naturally one would expect a much better result in another year or two. The border was planted- as it ought to be perhaps soon after...

Read More

A Little Gossip About Iris

A Little Gossip About Iris 1933 QUALITY GARDENS CATALOG FOREWORD   IN PRESENTING its 1933 list of iris, Quality Gardens offers the pick of the finest iris in the world, old and new the most comprehensive collection of the finest quality iris that can be assembled. We offer this year the pick of the new introductions, both foreign and American, selected after careful study and inspection.   In making this selection we rely on our personal judgment of the iris based on the experiences of living with them for more...

Read More

French Historic Tall bearded Iris PRESIDENT PILKINGTON

 These photos are of another of Ferdinand Cayeux exquisite introductions showing an iris selected and bred for style and form. 'Président Pilkington' is such an amazing looking Iris and you can see why when it was first introduced it took the Iris world by storm. This plants provenance has been well researched, photo's are of the plant growing in France last season and is true to label. Plant foliage is moderately purple-based. The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1930, Irises in France, 1930...

Read More

Historic Tall bearded Iris SHAH JEHAN

An exotic looking iris bred in Canada of all places, who would of thought? If ever there was an iris that reinforces the fact that historic irises have a natural yet bold elegance then this iris is it. Makes one think of Persian rugs, Oriental tapestry and palaces, this is an iris that begs the company of other white flowers, to set off it's rich tapestry of colours . Named after that lavish Mughal emperor 'Shah Jahan' famous for building the Taj Mahal, he was also believed to have had a very refined taste in...

Read More

Classic Tall Bearded Iris SUN MIRACLE

Considered by Carlos Ayento, of Brighton Park Iris to be rare variety in its American homeland. 'Sun Miracle' is a forty six year old classic and is still growning and seen alot in gardens here in New Zealand. Amazingly bright, its an Iris with great carrying power, grows extraordinarily well. It's such a clean yellow self.   Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1967. SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967) M. 36" Sun Miracle is not a golden yellow but in the  scale a true canary yellow. In the garden...

Read More

Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris SERENITY PRAYER

It is floriferous, first rate grower and well deserves a place in the Garden. I do not need to extrapolate the brilliance of this iris and why would I need to when Perry Dyer (The Hybridiser and Iris writer) has summed it up nicely himself. Contemporary Views, 1988, Perry Dyer– Standard Dwarf Beardeds. SERENITY PRAYER (Dyer 1989) will be the last Dyer introduction for several years probably, as my own hybridizing endeavors are currently taking a vacation for a few years! From some...

Read More

Tall Bearded Iris SPRECKLES

An Iris that has lasted the test of time and yet when it blooms it is still an a annoyingly strong example of the carrying power of plicata's . Its name however I have always thought was inappropriate for this variety. 'Spreckles' sounds like a name for a budgie, or a thrush or one of our farmyard hens. When first told this Iris had been named 'Spreckles' it reminded me of the time when I found out the loud and brash punk rocker that lived down the road in the '70's is now working at the Haberdashery Counter at Spotlight and...

Read More