Tall Bearded Iris SPANISH LEATHER

 

Considered by Carlos Ayento, of Brighton Park Iris to be endangered in its American homeland, 'Spanish Leather' a twenty eight year old classic is still regularly available here in New Zealand. It was one of my pleasant new purchase surprises last bloom season. This well named variety is a medley of autumn colours in bronze, copper-brown, and rosy-rust, completed with rich golden tones in the centre of each fall.The flowers are thickly substanced with a leathery texture. Iron rod stalks with especially good spacing of its branching and up to 8-10 buds per stem. A vigorous grower with beautiful purple bottom clean foliage that is resistant to leaf spot. Remarkable sun-fast blend topped off with bright bushy old gold beards.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 60th Annual Iris Lovers Catalog:, 1985.
SPANISH LEATHER
With texture and color like fine leather wares fashioned by the master craftsmen of Seville, our Spanish Leather captures the quality and spirit of that finely wrought work. Rose, copper and henna-maroon all blend in a rich harmony highlighted by golden orange beards and artful golden dappling on the falls. Our photograph illustrates the richness of color and the fine detail in this big full-fashioned beauty. Extremely vigorous as well! You may never own boots of Spanish leather, but can witness something of equal beauty.

SPANISH LEATHER
(Schreiner's, R. 1985) Sdlg. R 815-B. TB, 35" (89 cm), EM
Lightly ruffled rose, copper, henna and maroon blend with golden dappling highlighting shoulders and broad hafts; old gold blended beard. I 910-2: (D 824-AA x E 1068-A: (Calypso Bay sib x Y 866-A)) X K 891-B: ((Lime Fizz x Kingdom) x New Moon). Schreiner's 1985.

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 'MAPLE TREAT'

Photographed growing at home and it sure is a beautiful Iris when it blooms. Not well known as it is a slow increase for me,and most New Zealand commercial grower's did not sell it, the grower I purchased it from has closed his business,but if you can find someone who is selling it I recommend that you buy it, in my opinion it is justly named "Maple Treat".

Waimate Iris Garden, Waimate, South Canterbury. Final Catalogue 2007.
MAPLE TREAT Opal Brown,1995. Rich medium brown. Short supply again.

Cayeux, La  Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2013.
Arc en Ciel Collection
MAPLE TREAT M - 75 cm £ 6.30
A good son of the variety ‘Caliph’. Medium brown standards and lighter orange-brown falls, paler below the deep gold beards. Rich colour, excellent garden value.

AIS Checklist, 1999.
MAPLE TREAT Opal Brown, Reg. 1995 Sdlg. 91-8E4. TB, 28" (71 cm), M. S. medium brown (RHS 166A); style arms medium brown; F. lighter brown, paler (166D) below beard; beards deep gold, thick; ruffled.Caliph x Indian Caper. Brown's Sunnyhill 1995.

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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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