New Zealand Aril Bred iris MOUNT MELITA

 

Another quality New Zealand  Aril Bred iris from the Richmond Iris Gardens. Alison Nicoll has really made a mark with her Aril selections of late which show a good eye for form selection in this class. The colour is a self of a dark diva blue (Ridgway 196) and bloom form is good with that rounded Aril trait on 40cm stems. Once again Alison has used 'Tabriz' (Kidd,'83) as a parent but this time a cross with Paul Blacks hauntingly blue Standard Dwarf plicata 'Cubby Cheeks' ('85) for an outstanding result. Introduced in the same year as 'Magic Mushroom' another of Alisons Aril Bred Irises I grow successfully, in fact all the Arils I purchased from Richmond Iris Garden in January 2012 established themselves well in their first season and bloomed in October 2012 just 9 months after planting which is a good result, so if you want my advise give them a go.

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2008-2009
New Introductions.
MOUNT MELITA: AB [ A. Nicoll '06] Dark blue, falls have a purple wash.

New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2013
MOUNT MELITA  Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2006. Sdlg. AO2D1-7. AB (OGB-), 15″, (39cm), M-L. Dark blue self, style arms tipped purple, F. washed purple; beards lemon. Chubby Cheeks X Tabriz. Richmond Iris Gardens 2008/09

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

Read More

New Zealand Bred Aril Iris MAGIC MUSHROOM

As you can read below the Catalogue introduction has as much 'hooray henry' as the Checklist description and someone must have told the writer of both to stick to the facts, or perhaps its just a display of the hybridiser's modesty . This is an iris that I purchased from a seller on 'Trade Me' last season and I am mighty glad I did. A ¼ bred oncogelia hybrid, intermediate in height strong stalks that display smallish blooms that are pleasing on the eye, blooms have a nice sheen that highlights a broken colour maroon purple flecking adding to the intensity of the mixed colours certainly draws the garden visitor towards the bloom . Strong plant growth very rounded blooms. A cross of a standard dwarf iris as the pod parent and the pollen parent is the ½ bred oncogelia hybrid  'Tabriz'  a winner of 'Clarence G. White Award'. Very Early, Blooms with the SDB but even with only first year growth has a long bloom period, and is a must see should you want your definition of beige to change. If you find it for sale on Trade Me or if you have to add it to your order from Richmond Iris Garden, Buy it! It's an exotic look you'll love.
Based purely on merit this is an iris that should be in the NZ Dykes Test Garden and would be a winner.

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2008-2009
New Introductions.
MAGIC MUSHROOM: AB ( A. Nicoll '06) Standards purple flecking over beige, falls old gold washed purple with maroon veining around beards.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2012
MAGIC MUSHROOM  Alison Nicoll, Reg.,2006. Sdlg. AO2D5-4. AB (OGB-), 17", (43cm), M ; Standards beige, purple flecking; style arms old gold, bluish centre line; Falls old gold over washed purple, maroon-red veining around gold beard. Adoring Glances X Tabriz. Richmond Iris Gardens 2008/09.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter. (Just how many New Zealand Bred Irises is that now?????)

Read More

Arilbred Iris 'PRAIRIE THUNDER'

Arilbred Irises are starting to strut their stuff and today we have blooming, Paul Blacks first Arilbred introduction, PRAIRIE THUNDER, which went on to win the William Mohr Medal in 1998.Not sure who you can buy it from in New Zealand but it is still available from Mid-America Iris Gardens in the States

Aril Society International Illustrated Official Checklist 2006

PRAIRIE THUNDER OB- (Paul Black, R. 1990). Sdlg. 86407A. AB (¼), 25” (64 cm), M. S. violet blue; olive tan styles; F. pale violet shading to tan edge; dark burgundy spot around beard; blue white beard tipped brown black; slight spicy fragrance. 83158C: (Cindy Mitchell x Silver Finery) X Welcome Reward. Mid-America Iris Gardens, 1990.

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

Read More

Intermediate Arilbred Iris 'BIRD DANCER'

      

'Bird Dancer' another Stand out New Zealand Hybridised Iris by Hilmary Catton which is in full bloom today. What gives this intermediate iris its stunningly exotic look is partly due to its aril parentage.
Purchased for the princely sum of $5.00 (For that price I recommend you purchase two) from Kingswood Irises 15 Railway Road Woodlands R D 1 Invercargill. Write to Marion Rutherford for their Catalogue which is on CD with some of the best Iris photos around. As I have said before This iris nursery I highly recommend!


1989 AIS Checklist
BIRD DANCER (Mrs. Hilmary Catton, R. 1982). Sdlg. C75-5-1. AB (OGB), 25½" (65cm), E. S. lavender blue, green gold midrib; F. green gold blend, blue flash beneath beard; white beard tipped bronze. Moon Spinner X King Henry. Wyuna Iris Gardens, 1982/3.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter 

******

Read More

Iris Seedling Photo's Last in this Series

.



.


Once again I would like to express my Sincere Thanks to Adele and Wayne Harrison for sharing their amazing Seedling Photos.
As previously stated in this series © All Pictures Copyright W.Harrison

*****

Read More

More Top Aril Seedlings Raised in New Zealand

.



.


Yes as promised more pictures, and a few more to come!!!










© All Pictures Copyright W.Harrison

*****

Read More

Top Aril Seedlings Raised in New Zealand

.



.

So glad to catch up with Adele and Wayne Harrison today from Bannockburn in the South Island Lakes District. These two outstanding Horticulturists are growing some of the finest Arilbred seedling's I have seen in New Zealand and the good part is they kindly gave permission for me to publish their pictures. The fantastic news is that the Aril Gene pool in New Zealand just got a whole lot better.More pictures to come!!!!!



















© All Pictures Copyright W.Harrison

*****

Read More

Aril Iris Plant Sale

.


.





For all those visitors lucky enough to live in America and Europe the 2008 Aril Plant sale is on.
In Accordance with past practice the ASI plant sale is for ASI members only. New Members are Welcome and a Membership application can accompany order. Dues for individual are $10.00 annual or $28.00 triennial, Family $13.50 annual or $33.50 triennial, $150.00 lifetime payable to Aril Society International
This is a great way to start a Aril Iris collection for a reasonable price. Take a look!!
Order priority is based on postmark date, not received date so the quicker you get your order in the higher priority you order receives. Download Catalogue

Unfortunately for New Zealander's due to MAF regulations importing plants at this time would prove to be difficult so you will have to wait for the fantastic seed sale. But if you join now you will receive your seed list in the mail when its due!!!!

*****

Read More

The Delightful Aril Irises

.


.


Fantastic!! the ASI Year Book has arrived and as usual it is an informative read. Once again brilliantly Edited by Thomas Fietz.
The Aril featured on the cover 'Hakuna Matata' (A & D Cadd) Mohr Medal Winner 2007. Cover credit ASI.
For all you folks that visit this blog and there are many of you (By the way Thanks once again for visiting) The Year Book is distributed to members of ASI anually 165+ pages of information and a large amount of colored photos of Aril Irises.
A selection of Articles 2007 issue are as follows
* The importance of the Clarence G White 'Oncobreds' in the developement of the new Arilbred Irises. H.V Slamova
* Taking Digital Iris Photographs. A Moran
* Part I; The Equipment. A Moran
* Part II; Taking the Picture. A Moran
* Part III; Working with your pictures. A Moran
* Enhanced Germination Techniques. S McAllister
* A new population of the rare Iris westii from Mount Hermon. O Fragman-Sapir




Iris lovers worldwide who wish to receive quality Aril iris information plus the many other benefit's of membership should give serious thought to Join The Aril Society International it's a great investment.The best Membership Deal is $28.00 US triennial which includes $12.00 credit for the plant sale in the first year of membership or when renewing membership. Australian and New Zealand members receive an $8.00 credit voucher for the Seed Exchange in the first year of triennial membership or triennial renewal.
Membership of the ASI has so much to offer there is the ARILROBIN, Yearbook, Newsletters, Seedlist, Rhizome sale and fellowship of those of us who marvel at the beauty of the arils and all of this at a super reasonable price

ASI Checklist (Cover Photo)
Hakuna Matata OGB - A. & D. Cadd, R. 1999). Sdlg. 12-92-1. AB, 24-28”, (61-71cm), VE & RE. S. straw yellow, brown infusion; syle arms slightly darker yellow; F. straw yellow, maroon brown area around beard with radiating darker maroon brown lines; beards brown, tipped yellow; lightly fragrance. Jolt X Dawn Victory; ruffled; slight musky Available in America from Andiris Gardens

*****

Read More

Arilbred Iris 'ESTHER, THE QUEEN'

.



.

For all my New Zealand friends and visitors who might just read the next post but are frustrated at not been able to purchase the featured Aril iris plant This posts is for you!!

The best thing about 'Esther the Queen' is that you get an exotic Aril Iris and a Historic Iris all rolled into one!!
The plant gives good increase. These Iris are classified as OGB which is a Oncogeliabred , an iris hybrid of oncocylus and bearded iris parentage and considered to be the easiest to establish.Generally Arilbred's can be established in conditions similar to the bearded irises just grow in a summer dry garden in a rich warm soil with sharp drainage full sun, and they will bloom their socks off for you!!!!Esther the Queen is available in New Zealand from The Iris Garden Christchurch and at $10.00 per plant is a very reasonably priced. It's sold bare rooted so order one now to be sure you get one next season.If you live in Christchurch you may be able to drive out to the Iris Garden this weekend and pick up some iris growing in pots. Just do not forget to Join The Aril Society International for a triennial deal that will never be repeated!!!!! Three years for $28.00 US and at today's dollar conversion that's $36.00 NZ or $12.00 NZ per year plus a $8.00 US Voucher for you to spend on seed. Brilliant!!!!
For Our American visitors there is a large list of commercial growers listed on the ASI web site that may stock ETQ. Check it out!

ASI 2006 Checklist ESTHER, THE QUEEN OGB (Eugene Hunt, R. 1967). Sdlg. ORB 64-1. AB, 36” (91 cm) E-M. S. wisteria blue, deeper veins, blended willow green at base, brown at claw; F. willow green, blended erythrite red; dotting by black beard on black maroon spot, paling to brown as it blends to willow green. (Sundt 5631D: (Ardrun x Ib-Mac) X Kalifa Gulnare). Tell’s Iris Garden, 1968.
With many thanks Picture courtesy Aril Society International.©

*****

Read More