Tall bearded Iris EXOTIC BLUE

 

Exotic Blue is another of those astonishing irises that is stunning in its unusual simplicity. Perhaps one of the most out of the square descriptions I read was Lloyd Austin  determination that 'Exotic Blue' was a kind of green and in fact 'Exotic Blue' was listed with the other 'Fascinating approaches to Green'  classified irises in his catalogue (nearly two pages of this colour tone).
This iris along with Burnt Toffee, Crimson Tiger, Infernal Fire, Millennium Falcon, Tiger Honey, and the Border Bearded Irises like Jungle Shadows, Batik, Network, and the surprisingly named  Baboon Bottom, when they bloom at home always give me time to ponder the unstable genes that are always just below the surface in the Bearded Iris genetics. You can never beat the element of surprise! Keeps you grounded.

Randolph Iris Garden, Ithaca, New York. 1958 Introductions.
EXOTIC BLUE $15.00
Lavender blue tinged with greenish brown. having a heavy matching beard which accentuates its exotic charm. 32". H.C. 1957. Runner-up for the President's Cup at the 1958 Annual Meeting.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1959, Number 154, Part 1.
Varietal Comment, Region 7-Nashville Vicinity, Adelaide D. Peterson, Brentwood, Tennessee.
Exotic Blue (Randolph), more than just aptly named. This is a connoisseur's iris which almost defies comparison. Medium in height, with falls a bit narrower than are generally popular, it nevertheless is a type of color break that is a hybridizer's dream come true. Several shades darker than powder-blue, it has a dark blue, olive-tipped beard, an olive green area at the haft with 'purple veining deep inside. While most viewers here stood around it in awe, one irisarian thought it terrible. That's the way with this iris, you're likely either to admire it tremendously or dislike it entirely.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society,October 1960, Number 159.
Varietal Comments by Region 15 Members by Thornton M. Abell, Santa Monica, California.
A few things seen in the Los Angeles area before leaving for the AIS Convention in Portland.
Also in Lura's and Barbara's gardens we saw Randolph's EXOTIC BLUE, a most intriguing flower, a smoky greenish blue with a rusty-violet beard; although  somewhat narrow in form, it was effective.

Rainbow Hybridising Gardens, Placerville, California. Lloyd Austins World Famous Iris Color Guidebook, 1963.
EXOTIC BLUE (Randolph, '58) EM 34"
From our AIS President Dr. Randolph comes this hybridizer's dream come true. Of such spontaneous appeal it was runner-up for President's Cup the year it was introduced. Yes, it's exotic & quite different. A distinctive blend of lilac blue and greenish brown with a matching olive-tipped brown beard. A connoisseur’s iris that defies comparison. [(Mata Hari x Black Forest) x White Wedgwood] JC '59.

AIS Checklist 1959
EXOTIC BLUE  Randolph, Reg. 1957  Sdlg. 51-223-5. TB, 28" (71 cm), M ; Light lavender-blue self, with darker center; brown beard, tipped blue. (Mata Hari x Black Forest) x Wedgwood. Randolph 1958. HM 1958.

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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris BANBURY RUFFLES

Blooming today. The registered colour description of 'Banbury Ruffles' is a rich blue self but really the colour is more of a rich velvet blue violet. The falls are highlighted by a deep rich bold red purple halo that surrounds the white beards that are tipped a in soft amethyst. Superb bloom placement and display  and quickly becomes an excellent garden subject because of its outstanding strong growing habits. Super clean foliage that is proportional with the bloom, all and all a very well balanced and attractive Standard Dwarf Bearded iris.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
LILLIPUTS
BANBURY RUFFLES bounteously ruffled rich blue.

IRISES A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris 'Banbury Ruffles' (D. Reath, 1970) The rich violet flowers have white beards tipped violet and surrounded by large maroon-purple patches. The petals are serrated around the edges and gently curl outwards. Height 38cm (15in) Bloom very early season. Parentage Seedling X Nylon Ruffles.

AIS Checklist 1979
BANBURY RUFFLES D. Reath, Reg. 1970 Sdlg. A-6-64. SDB, 15" (38 cm), VE Rich blue self with darker blue spot on F.; ruffled. A-6-60 X Nylon Ruffles. Schreiner's 1970. HC 1968, HM 1971.

There is a outside chance 'Banbury Ruffles' is still commercially grown in New Zealand somewhere, fortunately  I was able to purchase my plants on Trade Me from hctnz (Lyn Nell) a Mid-Canterbury gardener who sends generous plants that have great plant health and  I have no hesitation to recommend highly.
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Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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Tall Bearded Iris MISSOURI

Some irisarians, as recently as just the other day have described this iris as 'A poor grower', which is a bit puzzling really when you think that this iris is still strutting its obvious good looks some 80 years after its introduction. 'Missouri' is one of those irises that decides for itself if it likes growing in your garden, fortunately for me it likes growing at our home. It needs to be grown where conditions suit the plant not the grower.  My plant came from an importation about a decade ago to New Zealand just before importing irises became impossible and is still growing in the same position with no fuss. When 'Missouri' was introduced in North America it almost exclusively became a Champion only in the Northern America region and  in hindsight it does not appear to have been widely distributed in the Southern Hemisphere at all and made only very few appearances in the Catalogues of European commercial iris growers. Perhaps it had something to do with World War II. Its an iris with blooms of heritage form, and tall stems.  Fertile both ways and became a great parent in the 40's and 50's.  Fragrance noted in the AIS checklist 1939, as Strawberry and Lilly of the Valley ( I can't recall this fragrance fantasy). Still immensely admired today and an iris with History +.

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1933
MISSOURI (Grinter 1933) M. 44". This handsome new iris has a beauty of coloring which makes it quite outstanding among the finest blue bicolors. The large, well formed flowers are a medium tone of lavender blue; The falls are broad and flaring and of a slightly darker shade than the standards. While velvety in appearance, it has a thick substance and durable texture which almost unequalled.The flowers have the delicate fragrance of the valley lilly. A fine addition to the blue shades.............................................$10.00

AIS Bulletin #66, September, 1937, '1937 Iris Notes', page 10, Charles and Agnes Whiting.
'Far West', warm and mellow in its sunset tints, proved true to its natural color picture, as did that grand blue, Missouri. Recent developments in color photography and printing have given wonderful results and opened up undreamed of possibilities, and the day of imagination in color plates is over. A fine clump of Missouri almost dominated the latter part of the season in our garden; a fine iris, well deserving of its wide popularity. The picture on page 7 (see below) shows its magnificent form and poise, but unfortunately not its color. May the time soon come when we can have natural color plates in our BULLETIN.

Courtesy AIS Bulletin #66

AIS Bulletin #66, September, 1937,'Impressions of a California Iris Season', page 54, Harold I Johnson.
Missouri appealed to me as being one of the best looking irises I have ever seen. The stem is tall, the branching perfect, and the flower-substance and form place it right along with Shining Waters as one of the finest of the blues.

AIS Bulletin #67,October, 1937,'Variety notes submitted by Accredited Judges', Page 28,W. M. Kellogg,Compiler.
MISSOURI (Grinter) .-1. The finest medium tone blue I have seen; heavy substance. (Mass.) 2. Much over-rated. It is an interesting steely blue in color, and smooth in texture, but it has stiff, coarse form of Sensation and the same disorderly plant growth. Decidedly a weedy iris. The Sensation strain in iris breeding has bad traits and ought not to be encouraged. (Pa.)

Carl Salbach, Berkeley, California, Iris and Selected Seed Catalog, 1937.
MISSOURI (Grinter) A very fine blue having a smooth enamel like finish. Highly praised in the North-West, and without question, one of the best new blue iris. Raised by a breeder who has made a speciality of blue iris.Mid-season to Late. 36 inch........................................$3.50

The Iris Society Year Book (BIS), 1938, "Presidents Survey", page 53, G.L. Pilkington.
MISSOURI (Grinter) - This I am disappointed in. The flowers are of good form and size and the colour is a clean mid-blue, the falls being a slightly deeper shade than the standards. Here it has never exceeded 2 ft. and it is clear that it is not "at home".

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1938.
MISSOURI. Clear, clean blue, of sensational size. There has never been sufficient stock to supply the demand for this iris, declared by some observers to be the last word in its color. Very few plants.Dykes Medal 1937.

Schreiners Iris Garden, Riverview Station, St Paul, 7, Minnesota. An iris Lovers Catalog, 1940.
MISSOURI. (Grinter '33)  M. 37".
We have always regarded this variety as one of the classics of irisdom. The giant blooms of faultless form and heavy enamelled texture are a clear rich shade of medium blue. In every way a splendid iris.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1949. Bearded Irises in Blue Shades, C. P. Raffill.
Light Blues;
MISSOURI (Grinter 1933). This is an old iris compared with the preceding varieties, but is well worth its place in the garden, for its lovely silvery shade of light blue with perfect form and texture ; and the whole plant is vigorous and free flowering.

National Iris Gardens, Beaverton, Oregon, 26th Catalog, 1942.
MISSOURI. (Grinter 1933) ML. 37" Dykes Medal 1937. A giant of clear blue in color. The broad flaring flower are of enamel-like texture.

Tells Iris Gardens, 691 8th North, Provo, Utah, 1951 Iris Catalog and Hybridizers Handbook.
MISSOURI (Grinter '33) M-L (Sensation X Blue Ribbon) Medium deep blue with brown on hafts.Dykes Medal '37.

AIS Checklist 1939
MISSOURI TB 40" M B3M (Grinter 1933); Pat. 1933 (Quality Gardens). Stoner 1933 (Tip Top Gardens). Kellogg 1934. Schreiner 1939.(BLUE RIBBON X SENSATION); H.M., A.I.S. 60; 66; Feb 1936 ☐ str. ly. val.

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

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Tall Bearded Iris JANE PHILLIPS

I have always held this Iris in high regard, and was one of my first irises. It was purchased at a School Fair with no ID which undoubtedly started me on this mad journey of Iris history. What makes 'Jane Phillips' special is hard to put your finger on, perhaps it is it's carrying power and consistency or the trick it plays on the grower with its dark blue buds that slowly unfurl to become an entirely pale blue bloom. Not tall, but not as short as some critics would lead you to believe in their reviews below. Clean grey green foliage, great plant health with especially good increase. This year we have split a plant and have replanted, now we have a clump of 10 plants so in the coming years Jane will be back on a larger scale winning hearts again. Fertile both ways and is involved in the parentage of one hundred plus Irises.  Also has a New Zealand connection did you know? It was the pod parent of Jean Stevens ruffled light blue 'Foaming Seas' and also the pod parent for Lucy Delany's ruffled really creamy cream Tall Bearded 'Happy Jane' both of these grow at home.
If you need an Iris with great classic form and real class this iris could be the one. If you find it, buy it, I guarantee you won't regret it.

Fairmont Gardens, Lowell, Massachusetts,Irises, Hemerocallis, Hostas, Poppies, Introductions for 1950.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950) M. This beautiful blue is the child of the famous iris Helen McGregor that won the Dykes Medal in 1949. Deeper in color, but with similar form and substance, it possesses great color appeal. A very clear blue self with well domed standards, arched and smoothly finished, the semi-flaring falls are lightly fluted at the edges. Firm texture and exquisite color, it possesses that mark of distinction that is characteristic of so many irises bred by Dr. Graves and his able assistant, Edward Watkins. This iris has been tested in many parts of this country as well as in England and is high favor wherever grown. Excellent branching and sturdy growth. Stock limited. 
H.M. A.I.S. 1947. 38in..................................................................................$25.00

The Iris Year Book, 1951
A Selection of Higher-Priced Irises, by G.L.Pilkington and N. Leslie Cave.
List 3. Irises Costing over £1
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves) Similar to Helen McGregor but several shades bluer. And other beauty with similar failing, a stubby stem (TWO VOTES)

The Iris Year Book, 1952
Commentaries in Variety, by H. Senior Fothergill
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves) This shapely, pale blue Iris has now proved itself to be a very sturdy grower and a rapid increaser. It is not so expensive now, and really shows its owner that it is grateful for its board and lodging in a way which, unfortunately, not one in twenty of modern novelties is gracious enough to do.

Cooleys Gardens Silverton, Oregon. Iris for 1951
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)
A new light blue that is deeper in color than Helen McGregor, of which it is a seedling. It resembles its famous parent in form and size but because it carries more color it is distinct and worthy in its own right. We have seen no Iris which appears nearer true blue. HM AIS 1950. Each $20.00.

Courtesy Cooleys 1957 Catalog

Schreiner's, Route 2, Salem, Oregon. Iris Lovers Catalogue, 1952.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950) EM, 34".
If you revel in clear blue Iris here is one that will delight you. A seedling of the famous Helen McGregor it is somewhat deeper though equally as true blue tie. It probably ranks with Cahokia as one of the bluest Iris we grow.HM'50..........................................................$15.00

Lyon Iris Gardens, Van Nuys, California. Iris and Hemerocallis, 1955 Catalog.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)
A clear attractive medium blue self, smooth in finish and beautifully formed. The large flowers with domed standards and semi-flaring falls are lightly frilled at the edges. Winter tested. 38".........................$3.00

Stevens Bros.  Bastia Hill, Wanganui. Irises 1955-1956.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves U.S.A.)
  At last we are able to offer you this famous light blue descendant of Helen McGregor, which many New Zealanders, having seen in our trial gardens, or at the London Iris Show, have been waiting for- the bluest blue Iris! In offering novelties to our customers it is our obligation not to list a variety until we have a stock available to satisfy normal first year demand. It therefore follows that when, as in the case of Jane Phillips, we know the demand is going to be very heavy, we must wait an extra year so that there will be enough plants to go around. Of beautiful form and a heavenly light blue colour, Jane is an exceptionally large flower of great substance, and fully lives up to her overseas reputation. An Iris which will be the pride of your garden. 2 ft 9 in.............................................................42/-

The Tall Bearded Iris, Blue Irises, Nicholas Moore, 1st. Ed. 1956.
Dr Graves's later introductions, though they have surpassed AND THOU (1942) in blueness and in evenness of colour, have scarcely done so in other respects. Of these HELEN McGREGOR (1946) is the star. It is said, 'never has an Iris been so popular in its first year of introduction', and it is ruffled, voluptuous blooms have been described as having a film star beauty. A light clear blue, and several degrees bluer than most other light blues, it has captivated its admirers at shows, and in the garden it flowers with tremendous freedom. However, its beauty is marred by short, thick,podgy steam and poor proportion to its flowers, and the flowers themselves are apt to be too crowded. JANE PHILLIPS a later descendant, is somewhat similar, but is slightly deeper in colour and less blowsy in form, and has the ineffable advantage of the better branching and poise, a better plant in every way, but even this is too short for its big flowers.

Irises, Judith M. Berrisford, Garden Book Club Edition, 1961.
Choosing your Irises. Pale Blue.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)  34", E-M.
If you want a stronger, yet still pale blue than, 'Helen McGregor', this is the iris to choose. Really a flax blue. Very similar to 'Helen McGregor' in everything but colour, and a stronger grower. Scented.

AIS Checklist, 1949.
JANE PHILLIPS (Robert J. Graves, R. 1946). TB, M B1M. 'Helen McGregor' x ('Pale Moonlight' x 'Great Lakes') Award of Garden Merit R.H.S. Highly Commended 1947, Honorable Mention 1950,  Award of Merit 1952. AIS.

As always clicking on the above image 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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Tall Bearded Iris 'BREAKERS'

A delightful self of medium-blue colour 'Breakers' flowers on well-branched stems. Blooms late spring and sometimes early autumn. For me the rebloom is a intermittent bonus, but should not be relied on, but that aside its still one of our favorite blue irises. Generally speaking 'Breakers' was readily available a few years ago from a lot of commercial growers but for the life of me I cannot find a listing with a grower in New Zealand that I can recommend. Not sure why this is as it is a very good grower.
 
Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 75th Diamond Anniversary, 2000 Iris Lovers Catalog.
BREAKERS (Schreiner 1986) ML & RE 37"
Here is a bubbly and effervescent Iris whose undulating petals create a remarkable billowing effect. The superb blue color is applied with a clean uniformity. Fine size flowers are displayed on four branched stems with 8-10 buds.

AIS Checklist 1989
BREAKERS (Schreiner's, R. 1986). Sdlg. M 39-C. TB 37" (94 cm) M. Fluted and heavily ruffled true blue; dull blue beard tipped yellow ln throat. Victoria Falls X I 43-C: (Shipshape x Sailor's Dance)., Schreiner's 1986. HM 1988, AM 1990
 
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