Intermediate Bearded Iris AZ AP

Not a lot of Intermediate irises featured on the Web. These irises flower between the standard dwarf bearded iris and the tall bearded iris, and have a considerable value in adding continuity to the bearded iris season. 'AZ AP' , is another of Alan Ensminger's award-winning Irises. Blooms show occasional flecks of Broken Colour that could be inherited from its 'Jungle Shadows' heritage. A good strong grower that has a longer bloom season. An absolute asset in any garden.There is a limited amount of Alan's irises available in New Zealand which is a pity but we do have a few of his award-winning irises which is better than none at all.  Alan Ensminger, was presented the  Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing from the Median Iris Society in 2007.

Varigay Gardens Lincoln, Nebraska.1980.
AZ AP EL. IB. 22"
We want you to know about this beautiful 1980 introduction, named AZ AP because in color it is an abbreviated Azure Apogee.
AZ AP is an intermediate - the child of Charmed Circle and and SDB seedling. It is one of those rare irises that can hardly be faulted.
When AZ AP was one year old, it had 3 bloom stalks and 12 increases. The increases were lined out, and in 1979 when AZ AP was two years old there were 57 bloom stalks and 63 increases.
AZ AP is so beautiful and such a good doer that soon everyone will grow it. If you want to be one of the first to grow this remarkable new Intermediate send your check for $15.00 to Varigay Gardens 

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1990. Number 279.
Ensminger's Varigay Garden, James McWhirter (California)
This garden was the last garden I visited at the 1990 Omaha Convention, and it was an excellent one to end with. Although the day was overcast and even a little misty, the glorious color that greeted us when departing the bus was overwhelming. And even if we thought the color was going to be enough, the 75 foot row of AZ AP (Ensminger 80) was in full bloom to greet us a second time. The noise from the cameras capturing this spectacular sight was enough to keep all insects away. Truly a sea of bloom that will long be remembered
 
IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris AZ AP (A Ensminger 1979)
This variety blooms for many weeks, producing skyblue flowers that are very slightly veined with purple around the edges of its petals. The bushy beards are bright blue. Height 56 cm ( 22½ in.) Bloom; early to late season. Parentage includes 'Charmed Circle', Spring Salute', 'Patience', 'Jungle Shadows', and I.pumila. Hans and Jacob Sass Medal 1987.

IRIS, Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor.
Intermediate Iris Recommended Cultivars
'Az Ap' (Ensminger 1980) 60cm. classic mid-blue intermediate. Vigorous grower.

AIS Checklist 1979
AZ AP (Allan Ensminger, R 1979) IB, height 22" (56 cm), Early-Late bloom season. Cobalt blue (HCC 44/3) self; gentian blue (42/1) beard. Charmed Circle X 73-1: ((Spring Salute x ((Patience x Welch N503) x (Jungle Shadows x pumila))) x ((( Jungle Shadows x pumila) x ( Jungle Shadows x Cretica)) x ((Jungle Shadows x Cretica) x Kavan 11-66))). Varigay Gardens 1980. Honorable Mention 1982; Award of Merit 1984; Sass Medal 1987.

Available in New Zealand from several suppliers.
A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.

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 Julie May and The Iris Garden ©.

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Border Bearded Iris BATIK

I am a great fan of 'Broken Colour' Irises or the term I much prefer 'Splish Splash Irises' which is how Perry Dyer refers to them. From the hybridiser who I have always admired and was given the nickname "The Wizard of Odds", 'Batik' is one of Allan Ensminger's better known introductions. More detail needs to be written about Allan Ensminger and his Iris breeding while the peoples memories who knew him are still fresh.

White Flower Farm, Litchfield, Connecticut, Fall 2013 Bulbs Catalog
A striking Border Bearded Iris that is royal purple streaked and mottled white. Like snowflakes, no two blooms are alike. The effect is enchanting, and because plants grow just 24in tall, you can enjoy them with such companions as Aquilegia. Winner of three American Iris Society awards.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 2002.
BATIK (Ensminger, 1986) M. 26" (BB)
White flecking and strips contrast with deep purple. Yellow beards are tipped white.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 2013 Collectors Edition, Iris Lovers Catalog.
BATIK (Ensminger, 1986) E. 24" (BB)
Wildly irregular spattered and streaked with white markings give each royal purple flower its own distinctive look. Its habit is rather tall and its flowers large for a border bearded.HM '88, AM '90, KM '92

IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris 'Batik' ( A. Ensminger, 1985) This broken (unstable) coloured flower has blue-purple petals that are streaked white. The white streaks are very unstable and vary both in quantity and width from flower to flower. Height 66cm (26in.). Bloom; Midseason. Parentage 'Aegean Star' X 'Purple Streaker'. Knowlton Medal 1992.

AIS Checklist 1989
BATIK (Allan Ensminger, Reg. 1985). Seedling 79-79. BB, height 26" (66 cm), M. White ground, striped royal purple; yellow beard tipped white. Aegean Star X Purple Streaker. Varigay Gardens 1986. Honorable Mention 1988; Award of Merit 1990; Knowlton Medal 1992.

Available in New Zealand from Helen Laing at her Amberley nursery 'The Iris Farm'  and Wendy Begbie's  'Amazing Iris Gardens'.
A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Julie May. 

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Paul Black's Favorite Iris Seedling 2012.

Email received from Paul Black today who writes "We've had quite a nice bloom season with just enough adverse weather to challenge the durability of the irises we grow. Here is a picture of Mid-America Garden on May 20. I'm also attaching a picture of one of my favorite new seedlings for this year. It is a broken color line that comes from completely different breeding than the old Ensminger / Kasperek lines."

My first impression 'An outrageous prism' and you can see with the clump shot every petal is totally different, its certainly unusual. Here's hoping it passes all the hoops for introduction and long may it live!!!

Hows that for a Iris garden!
As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and heartfelt thanks to Paul Black and Thomas Johnson and be sure to visit their website at Mid-America Garden

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Tall Bearded Iris TIGER HONEY

 No two blooms colour configurations are exactly the same and blooms can change due to regional growing and seasonal changes so what the photo shows will never be exactly replicated the same again. 'Tie dyed', 'Splish Splashes', 'Batik', whatever you like to call them they are officially classed as 'broken colour'. 'Tiger Honey' as you can see is a unique jambalaya colouration of butterscotch, honey, tan and white. This strong grower is set apart not only by its colouring, but also by a great fragrance! It produces a nice number of flowers on strong 98cm or 36" stems from early to mid-season. Out of a cross of one of my favourite irises Allan Ensminger's 'Maria Tormena' with Schreiners little known yellow and rose tan plicata "Desert Realm'. It's one of Brad Kasperek's early and quality achievements. If you don't own this Iris it's high time you did and soon!

Perry Dyer's CONTEMPORARY VIEWS -- 1995/1996
TIGER HONEY (Kasperek 1994) is the first release from this enthusiastic new hybridizer, and is a major advancement in the work Allan Ensminger began with the broken color pattern types (I refer to them as “splish-splashes”). Base color is bone, but then it is irregularly, irreverently mottled, streaked, and blotched with butterscotch, honey, and golden yellow. Like it or not, the zoo has arrived, folks – DEAL WITH IT!! (Personally, I fall into the “greatest fan” category – Mr. K is fresh and innovative in his approach to breeding and marketing, but dead serious about his work – he’ll go far!).

Schreiners Collector's Edition, 2000 Iris Lovers Catalog
TIGER HONEY (Kasperek 1994)EM. 36"
This hybridizer is winning recognition for his work with wildly imaginative color patterns. See for yourself, Tiger Honey is one of his best. Its butterscotch standards are randomly streaked in golden yellow. Its lightly laced and ruffled flaring falls are fabulously striped in streaks and blotches of mustard yellow, tan and white. Not to be overlooked is its strong growth. HM 1996, AM 1998

Tempo Two Iris and Daylilies 2002-2003
TIGER HONEY (Kasperek 94 USA) EM 38" Standards are butterscotch with random golden yellow streaks. Falls are butterscotch with caramel stripes on golden yellow ground, and off white streaking. Beards are butterscotch. Lightly laced, ruffled. No two flowers are the same. Well branched. (Desert Realm X Maria Tormena)

AIS Checklist 1999
TIGER HONEY
(Brad Kasperek, R. 1993) Sdlg. 89-45D. TB, 38" (97 cm), EM
S. butterscotch (RHS 163B) with random golden yellow (15C) streaks; F. butterscotch and caramel (163A) stripes on golden yellow (15C) ground, off-white (155C) streaking; beards butterscotch; lightly laced, ruffled; slight fragrance. Desert Realm X Maria Tormena. Zebra 1994. HM 1996, AM 1998 .

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded Iris BEWILDERBEAST

Amazingly 17 years (Is it really that long ?) after the wildly coloured masterpiece 'Bewilderbeast' exploded on the Iris world stage with its 'get this' attitude it is still one of Brad Kasperek's best efforts to date. Its fantastic splish splash of red-purple decorate mustard yellow edges that fade to creamy white toward the center. This attention getter also has a sweet fragrance, and good bud count. Once established it becomes a strong grower but in saying that it took me three attempts to get this iris to grow, and it can be a shy bloomer some years. All and all a fickle iris but when it blooms all the problems are quickly forgotten (until the next time).These broken coloured irises are now starting to be referred to as 'Tie Dyed Iris' probably because no two blooms are exactly the same.

IRISES, A Garden Encyclopaedia, Claire Austin. 
Iris 'Bewilderbeast', (B Kasperek 1995)
This flower is a psychedelic mixture of colours, including maroon, mauve, and cream. These colours sit in rivers across the white background. The standards are muted in tone, and the thin beards are dark yellow. Height 76 cm ( 30½ inches). Bloom ; mid-season. Parentage Tiger Honey X Rustic Dance.

Schreiners Iris Lovers Catalog 2001
BEWILDERBEAST (Kasperek 1995) M. 30"
What an outrageous combination of purple, gold and white! Our photo also illustrates as well branched stem. Bewilderbeast is a reliable grower which has not always been the case with such novelties. H.M '97, AM '99

AIS Checklist 1999
BEWILDERBEAST (Brad Kasperek, R. 1994) Sdlg. 91B-2A. TB, 30" (76 cm), M ; S. streaked light mauve (RHS 61A) and silver white (155C); F. dark mauve (61A) with silver white streaking, sunshine yellow shoulders with mauve veining; beards golden brown; laced, lightly ruffled; slight fragrance. Tiger Honey X Rustic Dance. Zebra 1995. HM 1997, AM 1999 .

If you like these irises,visiting the Zebra Gardens web site is a must do.

The bewildering photo is credited and copyrighted to Iris Hunter

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris "IRWELL SURPRISE"

 Truly wonderful new entries into the New Zealand iris world are few and far between but every now and again even my iris world gets a surprise. 

Its a sensational Iris that caught me completely unaware arriving in the form of a photo sent by Carol Rogerson the owner of South Pacific Epiphyllums who grows this iris. I had never seen this iris before even though it was registered in 2006.
It could of been called 'Caught me by Surprise' but then again when thinking of the varieties Ron has introduced to date he could of also have called it 'No Surprise Really' and I would have had to agreed.Now I know that the irises of Ron Busch have not had a smooth ride to success but you can't keep a good thing down forever.
Nothing like a visionary emissary to remind us of the wondrous Irwell Iris we all have to look forward to in the coming years.

I have had the privilege of reading Ron's very complicated Breeding notes and whilst the original registration states the parentage as 'Involved Irwell seedling lines', I have taken the liberty to fill in the missing parents. It does seem that broken color is most often linked with plicata, one way or another, and you will note the inclusion of various plicatas on both sides of the parentage.

2010 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL SURPRISE  Ron Busch, Reg., 2006. Sdlg. 1226. TB, 36″, (91 cm), ML. S. coffee cream over orange base; style arms orange; F. orange brown, deeper veining; beards tangerine.Involved parentage that includes Wild Apache, Youthful Charm, Rococo, Taholah, Tea Apron, Lula Marguerite, Velvet Robes, Laurie X  Tea Apron, Rococo, Youthful Charm, Latin Love, Velvet Robes, Lula Marguerite, Laurie, Earthling, Cutie, Pipes of Pan, Rich Melody, Melodrama; Rossmore Iris Gardens 2008

Photo Credit and Copyright Carol Rogerson, South Pacific Epiphyllums

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Tall Bearded Iris 'MILLENNIUM FALCON'

Catching the early morning sun, nearly said it all!!!! Visitors to the blog know I have a strong affection for Broken Colour Irises and 'MILLENNIUM FALCON' would have to take the cake, it is an extraordinary strong Iris that ticks all the boxes. Anyway I could wax lyrical regarding this Iris but, the master of reviews 'Perry Dyer' writing in his CONTEMPORARY VIEWS – 2002 already beat me to the punch and it is his compendious point of view that I have copied for you all below.

'The 9-1-1 AWARD is given to the New Iris that is, in my opinion, the most significant hybridizing achievement or color break, of the varieties I have seen. It was hard to put one above another this year, as far as impact and importance are concerned. But finally, I gave the nod to MILLENNIUM FALCON (Kasperek 2000), a choice Color Breaker of the highest quality. I would say this is the culmination of the intense dedicated work Brad has done in this style of iris, but I won’t, because I expect great, festive things from him for years to come! Even if you have snubbed Color Breakers as “freaks”, and wouldn’t dare consider “lowering your standards” to support (translation: VOTE) for one of these things, well, you’re just gonna have to get over it! Millennium Falcon has all the poise and sophistication of the best of the “non-spashers” (!), and is a complete package, with strong plant habits, consistent growth, resistance to adverse weather conditions, flowers with broad, architecturally sound form, and that all-important quality – PERSONALITY. It is basically a neglecta, with light blue standards with a touch of lavender in their makeup and elegant white streaking, and rich royal blue falls with the white streaking with a bit more intensity.'
Say's it all don't you think!!!

AIS Checklist 1999
MILLENNIUM FALCON (Brad Kasperek, registered 1998) Seedling 94B-23C. TB, height 38" (97 cm), mid season bloom. Standards light wistaria blue (RHS 92A), silver white (155D) streaks; style arms violet blue; falls rich royal blue (89B), silver white streaks; beards orange, hairs tipped blue; broken color pattern; ruffled; slight fragrance. 'Gnus Flash' X 92B-49Z: ('Batik' x 89B-42E: ('Rustic Dance' x 'Maria Tormena')). Zebra 2000. Honorable Mention 2002, Award of Merit 2004, Wister Medal 2008.

Zebra Gardens is the Hybridiser Brad Kasperek web site, and displays all his exciting new releases 

Selling this year in New Zealand at 'Amazing Iris Garden'

Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris "PRIZE LADY"

 
First bloomed for me at home 4 days ago,and what a top surprise. 'PRIZE LADY' was given this name by Noel Lapham because as you can see in the checklist description it had won a CM in 2005. Please don't ask me what a CM is but it seems a obscure Award for such an outstanding Iris. One would think this amazing Iris is been considered for New Zealand's Highest Iris Award. It is my opinion (and that's what this blog is) that this iris is of a international standard, more than a match for imported varieties, showing high health, good increase, height, great bud count,and edgy colour tones. Fertility unknown.

'Broken Dreams' the pod parent has traits of broken colour but it seems to be seasonal and is some what erratic and inconsistent and this can be on the same plant in the same season. Reminiscent of that stable broken colour Tall bearded Iris of the 80's "Maria Torena" (Allan Ensminger '87) which is an Iris I admire a lot.

2011 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
PRIZE LADY (Mr. Noel Lapham, R. 2007). TB, 37" (95cm), M. S. peach pink, ruffled; style arms pink, F. purple splashes at tips blending to lemon influence around vivid orange beards. Broken Dreams X Unknown. CM 2005 Mossburn Iris Gardens 2007

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

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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