British Dykes Medal Tall Bearded Iris GOLDEN HIND

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1931.
List of Prize Winners.
Yellow standards and yellow falls :-
C.O.M. : To Mr. H. Chadburn for the iris Golden Hind. It really is a startling bit of colour. Picture the deepest buttercup yellow and add the warmth of a faint tint of orange and you will have the tone that floods the whole of a very neatly-formed flower.Unfortunately, as shown it was very dwarf and although the judges recognised this might be due to it being a first year spike, they could not do more than give it the bare recognition of a certificate of merit on this occasion. See illustration, page 15. (below).

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1935, Number 57.
Iris Observations and comments from the South. Sam Graham, Georgia.
Probably the greatest improvement was most noticeable in yellows. Happy Days, Lady Paramount, Alice Harding, Eclador, California Gold, and Alta California are all wonderful iris. A newcomer is Golden Hind' an English introduction. As I saw it in McDade's garden it was quite outstanding especially its color; the best I have seen in any yellow. Had it better form and taller stalk I could conceive of nothing finer in the deep yellows. It is one iris I must have.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1935, Number 58.
Iris Notes of 1935, Mrs Thomas Nesmith.
Golden Hind impressed me as a brilliant yellow of very deep tone, set off by the intense orange-yellow beard, but the flowers although 'well formed, are not large and the short bloom stalks are most disappointing.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1935, Number 59.
Iris Pilgrimage, 1935, Bruce C. Maples.
Golden Hind comes from England. It is a stylish flower and clump. No, it does not have a tall stalk but the whole thing, plant, stalk and flower is symmetrical and I could not gaze on the beauty of it and recognize any defects. A good ,warm yellow.

Courtesy Yearbook I.S. (E) 1931.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1936. 

Notes on Bearded Irises, H. Chadburn.

GOLDEN HIND.

In the Autumn of 1926 I was the first purchaser of Iris W. R. Dykes. There were then only three plants available and the price was, I believe the highest ever obtained for an iris viz., £21. The following June, Iris W.R.Dykes flowered and I was not pleased with my purchase. It had been brought as the most wonderful yellow self that had ever been raised. Originally Iris W. R. Dykes was a yellow self, but by time it flowered for me the brown streaks had appeared, and the most impressive point about this flower was its size.

The blemish in Iris W. R. Dykes was the direct cause of Iris Golden Hind coming into existence. I would endeavour to produce a W. R. Dykes that was a pure self. This started my hybridising. Gold Imperial was the chosen mate, because it was the purest and deepest yellow I had come across. It also had to a certain extent, a crispness of substance. That Gold Imperial was made the seed parent instead of W. R. Dykes, I have no opinion to give. This particular cross does not germinate well ; only four seedlings came up, and Golden Hind was the only one that was pure colour. It was also the first iris that I was to exhibit. This cross was made every year and from a large sized seed pan, about 12 germinated, and if kept to the following year, there would be another 12. Usually the parts were robust, and soft rot the only enemy.

From this cross all colours appear. Pink, red and blue, and after five years of raising this seed, there have only been three worth retaining,viz. : Golden Hind, Mabel Chadburn and another very fine yellow, as deep as Hind, but with quite another character. This I do not expect to show as it has faults that may be eliminated with further breeding breeding. This seed as also produced all shades of yellow between lemon and that of Golden Hind. The fault which troubles me most in Golden Hind is that it continues to grow strongly until late autumn. It is then too advanced for the coming winter. This defect is inherited from Iris W. R. Dykes. Golden Hind is a strong grower and of rapid increase. It does not fade or bleach. The colour becomes deeper with age. It has a better constitution than Iris W. R. Dykes, but there is a tendency to increase too much. But by flower will be produced by planting a medium-size rhizome.

I am not using Iris W. R. Dykes any further as I have obtained what I require from it. And the faults of this iris are so definite that they should not be handed on to another generation.

Golden Hind is an excellent seed parent, but it will not accept pollen from Iris W. R. Dykes.

I raised the following cross :- G. P. Baker X Gold Imperial, Gold Imperial X G. P. Baker, 200 of each, my object being a good stalk and better coloured flower. Out of the 400 seedlings only three had satisfactory stalks. The colour and constitution of these three plants was good. They have now been crossed with Golden Hind and some will flower this June.

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1937
GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn 1934) M . 38". The sensation of the Chelsea show three years ago. The large flowers a real dazzling buttercup yellow, with a faint orange tinge and the flower is greatly enriched by a vivid orange beard . The stems are strong and widely branched . $15.00 Dykes Medal, English Iris Show, 1934.

Iris Culture for Amateurs Country Life Ltd, 1937, L. F. Pesel & R.E Spender.

Chapter II, Bearded or Pogon Irises, Tall Bearded Irises.

The picture of another yellow Golden Hind, raised by Mr. Chadburn, which received the Dykes Memorial Medal in 1936, should be studied for the form of its single flower. It is a cross between W. R. Dykes and Gold Imperial (a very pure yellow raised by Miss Sturtevant), and the latter was used as the seed-bearing parent. It is a good and well-balanced flower with a smoothness that is highly attractive.

Wills Cigarette Cards Album Garden Flowers New Varieties 2nd Series, 1939. #18 GOLDEN HIND

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1938, Number 71.
Official Variety Notes, 1938.
'GOLDEN HIND' (Chadburn).-A superb yellow of the fine rich warm tone with an orange ,beard, flaring falls and excellent form. Not tall, but tall enough for its large flowers. (Canada.) Low growing but a gorgeous mass of real yellow. (Pa.) Not very large or tall, but for color unsurpassed. Sets a standard for color in new yellows to come. (Ill.) Richest buttercup yellow, but stalk and branching below par. (Mass.) Has not been beaten for richness and depth of color, but is excelled by other yellows in height, form and size. A very popular iris in the garden. (Ill.) A lovely rich color of yellow when well grown, otherwise it makes a poor appearance. (Tenn.)

Stevens Bros. Bulls, New Zealand. Catalogue of Irises 1938-39.
Novelties and Recent Introductions.
GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn)
This remarkable deep golden yellow which has created such a sensation in England. It is the deepest toned golden yellow in commence today. The constitution is vigorous and it is a quick increaser. 2½.ft..........................................................21/-

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon, 1938.
GOLDEN HIND Each $10.00
No yellow iris in commerce contains the deep buttercup tone of this English origination. There are larger new yellows, but certainly there are none so nearly the ideal in clear rich color. The tone deepens at the haft, due partly to the vivid orange beard. Stems seen last season were three feet in height and finely branched. While not a large iris. Golden Hind
is sufficient in size to merit a place amongst the most recent sorts.

 Schreiners Iris Gardens Riverview Station, St. Paul, Minnesota. Irises for 1940.
GOLDEN HIND (Chadburn 1934) M. 30"
One of the most colorful rich yellows, being a bright clear buttercup yellow. Not large, it has a richness and depth of color possessed by few of the very newest varieties. Floriferous and rapid increaser; stunning color.
$1.00 : 3 for $2.25

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1942.
Bearded Flag Irises-An Initial Thirty, F.Wynn Hellings.
2. GOLDEN HIND. A splendid yellow self, good increaser and regular bloomer, of good form and proportion, a good doer in all districts. The stem only just tops 3 feet; a few inches longer would be an improvement.

'Golden Hind' growing against the house at 'Greenhaugh'.

The Tall Bearded Iris,  Nicholas Moore, 1st. Ed. 1956. Yellow Irises.
Of the other yellows GOLDEN HIND is still a popular flower. It's raiser, Haworthe Chadburn, was a painter who preferred sombre and purple landscapes, but devoted his spare time to raising nothing but yellow irises. He bought W.R.DYKES when it was introduced in 1926, at the price of Twenty guineas, and from his many seedlings eventually produced GOLDEN HIND, a rich yellow of orange tone. Later on there were other offspring of this line, and the three final introductions bear comparison even with many later irises. MABEL CHADBURN is a rich lightly ruffled yellow, JOAN LAY a deep orange-yellow of particularly good habit for the garden, and the latest, GRACE TETLEY, a rich buttercup yellow with a slightly green tinge.

Irises, Harry Randall, Chapter 7, A Cavalcade of Colours. Yellow Irises.
After the appearance of Golden Hind (Chadburn 1934) there was not much scope for more intense colouring in the yellow irises but its seedling Mabel Chadburn (1939) had better form and won the Dykes Medal in 1941.

AIS Checklist 1939
GOLDEN HIND TB-E-Y4D (Chadburn 1934) Orpington 1934 ; Bunyard's Irises 1938 ; Schreiners 1939 ; Registered 1931 ; (GOLD IMPERIAL X W.R.DYKES) C.M., I.S. (E) 1931; Garden Chronicle 3rd Se. 89 : 457.  13th June. 1931 ; Year Book I.S. (E) 30. 1931 ; Silver Medal  I.S. (E)1934 ; Dykes Medal England Yearbook I.S. (E) 1934 ; A.M., A.I.S. 1937 Bulletin American Iris Society 66: 87, September, 1937 ; A.M., R.H.S. 1936 ; J.R.H.S., 62 : 3, 131. March 1937 ; Silver Gilt Medal, Chelsea ; F.C.C., R.H.S. 1939.

 This Iris and the story of its hybridiser makes it one of my favourites.Top photo taken a few hours after blooms had opened fully. Bottom photo shows darker colours taken in different location, different environment and different soil.  
In New Zealand  you find 'Golden Hind' growing successfully a lot in the ground beneath the eaves of older houses where the soil is a lot dryer than other parts of the gardens which has the effect of slowing 'Golden Hind's' rampant growth, and Mr. Chadburn covers this problem in the above 1936 article, 'Notes on Bearded Irises' . 
Its a high health plant with a light green foliage. Bloom stalks are generally just 30-32 inches in height. Blooms are sensational and hues become darker as the flower ages. Form also becomes more dog-eared with age. Fertile. 

More on Mr. Chadburn and his yellow Irises in a later post.

A Major hat tip to Lyyne and Les Atkins, owners of the most amazing Greenhaugh Garden and Nursery for allowing me the freedom of her garden. 
Also a major hat tip to Phil Edinger for his succinct observations, and discussions which are always appreciated. 
As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris IRWELL THANKSGIVING

Stunning Iris from New Zealand's late Ron Busch. For those who do not know I did communicate with Ron Busch regularly and in 2008 we discussed several of his about to be registered irises. One of the discussed was the iris 'Irwell Thanksgiving' and its pedigree. I have scanned Ron's handwritten notes regarding 'Irwell Thanksgiving' which indicate the genetic material used to produce the iris, and whilst not in the format of the official checklists it is hugely better than just a checklist entry 'Parentage Unknown'. 
The 2012 written prediction by one member in particular of the NZIS that Rons Irises "will pass into obscurity as unknowns" is quite frankly risible, and shows the predictors complete lack of knowledge and respect of Ron's Iris breeding history. (Maybe an apology will be forthcoming Peter?? You can write it in the comments if you like) 
  

Ron Busch Handwritten pedigree 'Irwell Thanksgiving', May, 2008

AIS Checklist, 2009.
IRWELL THANKSGIVING
(Ron Busch, R. 2008) Sdlg. 1733-3167. TB, 34" (86 cm), M
S. lemon; style arms lemon, purple midrib; F. rose purple, ³⁄₈˝ lemon border, white veins on shoulders, purple blush below lemon beard. Parentage unknown. Te Ohanga 2008/09.

2013 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL THANKSGIVING (Ron Busch, R. 2008). Sdlg. 1733-3167. TB, 34" (86 cm), M. S. Lemon; style arms lemon purple midrib; F. Rose purple ⅜" lemon border; white veins on shoulders, purple blush below lemon beard. Involved Irwell seedling lines. ((Brookside x Honky Tonk Blues) x Snowspoon) X Ringo, Emma Cook, Latin Lover, Lula Marguerite, Velvet Robe, Laurie, Taholah.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

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French Historic Tall Bearded Iris MARQUITA

One of the all time greats of French Tall Bearded Iris breeding. Carl Salbach summed it up when in his 1949 Catalog (some 18 years after it's introduction) he wrote the following regarding 'Marquita', "Described by one of the A.I.S. judges as 'One of the most unique of all… American should give it its highest award". Overlooked in the awarding of the French Dykes Medal because it was so late of bloom that most of the judges missed it."
Now that's impressive!!

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1930,
"New Irises in France, Irises seen at the Nurseries of Messrs. Cayeux et Le Clerc ", page 89, Olive Murrell and Percy Murrell.
4383 (Marquita) This is an enormous Iris similar in colour tones to Minnehaha. The standards are apricot-yellow and the falls are streaked with red.

Cayeux & Le Clerc, Quai de la Mègisserie, 8, Paris. Catalog 1931.
Marquita (Cayeux 1931) A strong plant, robust well branched  3 feet stems. S. very large, ivory deepening light yellow at the margins, large sulphur yellow styles, droping falls of same colour adorned with distinct ochraceous maroon lines running almost evenly from base to apex giving a striking novel appearance, this more pronounced on the first day, as the flower shade, it turn to a darker redder suffusion leaving an ivory white margin. A very attractive flower for its large challis-like standards and for the quaint drooping of the falls. Could be most valuable for breeding purposes as for landscape effect. Height 3 feet.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1931,"Irises in France", page 42, G. L. Pilkington.
*** Marquita (4383) This is a most attractive variety, and seen flowering in mass was most telling. The flowers are of great size, and borne on 3 ft. stems with fair branching habits. The standards are of clearest ivory yellow, of the size "Helios" and the falls, which are hanging, are of a pale raspberry red with darker streakings. Whilst the flowers is in bud and early stages the standards have a pin line fringe of red around the edges. A "Helios" seedling. (To be sent out this year)

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1933. Number 49.
Comments on 1933 Ratings, Sherman R. Duffy.
Marquita (Cay.) (87). Much more striking in a group than as a single stalk. The huge creamy standards set off by the red-veined falls can be seen across the garden. The judges applied their discounts chiefly to form and stalk.

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1933.
MARQUITA  (Mar-kee-ta) (Cayeux 1931)
A very attractive new variety. A Helios seeding, it resembles the parent plant in its huge size and fine form. Standards clearest ivory yellow, falls almost the same shade with ruby lines running almost evenly from base to apex, as the flower ages the center of the falls turns red, leaving  a creamy rim edging the flower. A new thrill every day it blooms.
Certificate of Merit, S.N.H.F...................................................$30.00 

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1933.
NEW IRISES from FRANCE
TWO years ago American iris enthusiasts visiting in France brought home glowing accounts of three new seedlings produced by that master hybridist, M. Cayeux, of Paris. Of course he exhibited thousands of seedlings in his gardens, but three of them were especially fine and excited comment from every English and American visitor. As soon as we heard about them we promptly ordered a few rhizomes of each, and despite their long journey over the Atlantic and thence across the United States, they reached us in splendid condition and flowered beautifully the following May. These new irises, which will be released from Federal Quarantine about July 1st, are herewith offered for the first time in America.......
MARQUITA. A well named iris in brilliant luminous ivory yellow and ochraceous maroon. The standards are ivory deepening to sulphur at the base ; the falls are of the same color but are heavily and entirely lined with dark but brilliant maroon, giving to the flower a most striking and novel appearance. Limited stock. Each $12.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April, 1934. Number 51.
Iris Memories, Edward Salbach.
Never have I found a surer way of judging the merit of a new iris than by waiting till long after the blooming season and then looking backwards to see which have remained in In my memory. Those that "stick," I can unquestionably consider as outstanding.The iris that I cannot definitely place or which seem only vaguely familiar are not generally deserving among the very best. In memory now, in the midst of winter, I can recall fifteen new iris that etched a place for themselves in my memory. These fine iris I place in my own personal honor roll of newest iris........................
MARQUITA - A huge variegata from France, with cream standards and falls lined light red, evidently derived from Helios parentage.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April, 1935. Number 57.
Varietal Notes, 1934. M. E. Douglas, New Jersey
Marquita, I have seen in one garden each year for three successive years, that is, three different and widely separated gardens, and each time on a one year plant. I consider its color most distinctive and remember-able.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July, 1935. Number 58.
Iris Notes of 1935, Mrs Thomas Nesmith.
Marquita is a delicately beautiful iris and most unusual in color with its creamy standards and rose pink falls, the heavy venation seems to add rather than detract from the flower. It was a first year plant and the falls had a tendency to tuck under, but I have been told that when well established it does not have this fault.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1936. Number 63.
The Annual Meeting, Eleanor P. Jones.
Mr. McKee's in Worcester was our first stop. In his garden of comparatively small extent we saw iris superbly grown and in splendid condition. Marquita, an introduction of Cayeux, seemed to draw everyone to it at once, very tall and of fine form with creamy yellow standard and falls of the same but striped with rosy~pink.

Stevens Bros. Nurserymen, Bulls, New Zealand, Catalogue of Irises 1937-38.
Novelties and Recent Introductions
MARQUITA (Cayeux)
One of the finest of the new French Introductions. Exceptionally large flowers of most unusual colouring. The standards are clear creamy yellow, frostily lustrous. The falls are cream, heavily lined rose pink that it seems more like a suffusion than a lining at the end of the petals. 3½ ft. 30/-

Williamson, Iris 1936, The Longfield Iris Farm.
Marquita (Cay 1930) C.M., SNHF 1932. Very large well rounded flowers of creamy yellow, the F pencilled or lined ruby from base to apex. Tall and quite distinct. 42inches.

National Iris Gardens, Beaverton, Oregon, 21st Catalog, 1937
MARQUITA  (Cayeux) 40". An enormous and stunning flower of deep rich ivory with F. so heavily striped bright maroon that they appear to be solidly colored to the ivory margin. It attracts attention because of the gigantic unlined standards which are much larger than the falls. A.M. 1936

Schreiners Iris Garden, Riverview Station, St Paul, 7, Minnesota. An Iris Lovers Catalog, 1937.
Marquita (Cayeux 1931) L.34". An amoena type in cream and watermelon rose.It is luminous cream standards. "silken,hushed, and chaste" are the last word in serene but warm exquisiteness. The watermelon-rose falls are veined rather than solidly colored. A very lovely iris.

Carl Salbach Berkeley, California, German or Bearded Iris Catalog, 1937.
Marquita. (Cayeux). One of he finest French Iris ever produced. A remarkable variety which should eventually find its way into the gardens of all iris lovers. Described by one of the A.I.S. judges as 'One of the most unique of all… American should give it its highest award". Overlooked in the awarding of the French Dykes Medal because it was so late of bloom that most of the judges missed it. Perhaps the largest of all variegatas, but so distinctly different in coloring from the average variegata that it hardly seems to belong under the same classification. Simply huge blooms, standards of clear creamy yellow, frostily lustrous and with falls of cream, but so heavily lined rose pink that it seems more like a suffusion than a lining at the end of the petals. Late. 42 inch. A.M. A.I.S 1936

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Plantes 1938.
Marquita (Cayeux 1931). Divisions supérieures énormes, blanc d’ivoire, styles très larges, soufrés. Divisions inférieures à fond ivoire tout réticulé et chargé de rouge fraise écrasée s’éclairant sur les bords en blanc jaunâtre. Hampe solide et ramifiée. Certificat de mérite de la S.N.H.F.

Robert Wayman Bayside, New York. Catalog for 1940-41.
MARQUITA (Cayeux 1931) Given an Award of Merit by the American Iris Society in 1936. If I were to select a dozen outstanding Iris from the thousands of varieties that have been introduced to date, Marquita would be one of the dozen. It is so unusual and so beautiful that it is always wanted by anyone who sees it in bloom, but this is the first time it has been offered at a moderate price. It is a magnificent French creation, that has given us something entirely new in Iris, for it is in a class all by itself. The huge flowers are of brilliant smooth ivory, with an eggshell finish, with brilliant ruby lines running almost evenly from base to apex of falls. As the flower ages the centre of the flower turns solid red leaving a cream colored border."

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1937. 
MARQUITA. A well named iris in brilliant ivory yellow, with ochraceous maroon veinings on the falls. The standards are ivory deepening to sulphur at the base, and so large that they constitute the major portion of the flower. Falls are of the same color, but entirely lined maroon. This very late novelty was one of the two or three most popular things among our visitors last season.Each $2.00; 3 for $5.00

Oakhurst Gardens, Arcadia, California. Iris 1939. 
MARQUITA  (Cayeux) A favorite from France. Huge flowers of creamy yellow with falls heavily lined rose-pink, blending into a water-color wash at the end of the petals. It never fails to attract attention to itself. 36 in 

Milliken Gardens, 385 W. Colorado Street, Arcadia, California, Irises 1948
MARQUITA (Cayeux)
Something entirely different that is so striking that it immediately attracts your attention. The standards are a very clear ivory flushed with yellow and the falls are the same color, evenly veined with brilliant ruby lines. The petals are stiff and round, giving a very trim appearance to the flower. If you wish to light up a spot in your garden with gay colors, try a clump of Marquita. Over 3 feet tall and a strong grower .............................40c ; 3 for $1 .00

René Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1951.
Marquita Un des iris les plus célèbres, toujours très demandé; grosse fleur à substance bien ferme, résistant aux plus fortes intempéries. P. ivoire, S. à fond rouge fraise écrasées bordé jaune clair avec streis également jaune bien différenciées. T. Hr 0,80m.

René Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1952. 
Marquita. T. Hauteur 0m80.Un des iris les plus célèbres toujours très demandé. Grosse fleur à substance bien ferme résistant aux plus fortes intempéries. P. ivoire, S. à fond rouge fraise écrasées bordé jaune clair avec stries également jaune bien différenciées.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2014. 
MARQUITA
Tall bearded -Late-season  - Height :8ocm- colour: Bi-Colour
Rightfully one of the most famous Cayeux creations. Ivory standards and strawberry red falls with a pale yellow edge and a number of creamy yellow stripes. Sunny yellow beards.

AIS Checklist 1939
MARQUITA TB-M-Y5L (Cay 1931) Cayeux 1931 ; 1938 ; Patterson 1938 ; Charles Wassenberg 1938 ; (..............X HELIOS) ; C.M. S.N.H.F. A.M., A.I.S. 1936 ;

AIS Checklist 1949
MARQUITA TB-M-Y9L (Cay 1931); Etc ; (SYMPHONIE X HELIOS (Cay)) ; etc.; (corr. and new data).


As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Major Hat Tip and "Merci beaucoup" to my good friend Richard Cayeux for sharing with you all the amazing photos of 'Marquita' and to Catherine Adam without doubt the best 'go to person' regarding French Historic Irises.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux © .
Reproduction in whole or in part of this article without the expressed written permission of Heritage Irises is strictly prohibited. 

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