Historic Tall Bearded Iris PURISSIMA

Purísima means "purest" in Spanish and is most commonly used in Spanish to refer to La Purísima Concepción (the Immaculate Conception) of the Virgin Mary. Historical misspelling in English resulting in double "s" which, as you can see is how the Iris was registered.Well used in iris breeding in the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties.
Has a New Zealand connection, first used by Jean Stevens in  her 1936 breeding programme as a pod parent and the first cross recorded was M7 Purissima X Inspiration although no seedlings were finally selected. The hybridiser Pattie Levett who lived at the family homestead "Beccles" in a small North Island town called Bulls used Purissima in the parentage that produced a beautiful creamy white Tall bearded Iris 'Wychnor'.
In America, lets not forget Purissima was the Pod parent to that game changer of hybridising the amazing 'Snow Flurry'. Also parent of Helen McGregor, Her Grace, Mary Rich Lyon, Pike's Peak Pink, grandparent of Cahokia, Pierre Menard, and Sleighride.

Irises for Every Garden. History of Bearded Irises. Sydney B. Mitchell.
In the perspective of thirty-five years it is now possible to rate William Mohr the outstanding American breeder. Through is work with Iris mesopotamica and Foster's Kashmir White, American breeders were given in the late twenties such outstanding irises as Conquistador, bred from the diploid Juniata by the huge ungainly mesopotamica; El Capitan bred from Oriflame by mesopotamica; Purissima which came from a seedling of Caterina by Kashmir White crossed with Conquistador ; the epoch-making tetraploid plicata's, San Francisco and Los Angeles and many others.

Rainbow Fragments, J. Marion Shull, published 1931.
A List of Better Varieties. Whites.
The supreme white self has not yet appeared, and this group includes none that has earned a rating of 90 or more at the hands of any considerable number of judges. Kashmir White and White Queen have won the same rating as Taj Mahal, but the former is not always a dependable grower. Purissima though rated very highly by a very small number of judges, does not promise to live up to a somewhat over-pretentious name, since it does not appear to be purer white then the ubiquitous Florentina, with which everyone is familiar, however much finer it may be in other respects.

Cooley's Iris Gardens, Silverton, Oregon, Bearded, Japanese, Spanish and Dutch Irises, 1932.
Recent Novelties and Specialties
PURISSIMA
If you live in the Pacific Northwest, in California or in the South, by all means add this glorious white to your collection! Nothing that grows can compare with it when flowered under congenial conditions. Growers in colder and wetter sections of the country can also succeed with it, but it must have winter protection except in warm climates. A normally flowered stalk of Purissima is a never-to-be-forgotten sight...............................Each  $1.75

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1933.
PURISSIMA (Mohr-Mitchell)
A pure white iris of great size and splendid form. Not hardy in all climates, but ideal for moderate or warm climates. We grow it perfectly by giving it winter protection, and it is well worth the effort. It is the only tender iris variety we list...........................................$1.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1933, Number 46.
VARIETAL NOTES From England, Australia, and Elsewhere (editorial comments added).
PURISSIMA (Mohr-Mit.) The finest white. I cannot conceive of anything finer; 5-5½ft., perfect in every way. England.
Mr. Pilkington must be impatient to see the flock of American whites of which the New England Committee has selected Easter Morn, Polar King, and Venus de Milo as of equal interest to the connoisseur. Ed.

National Iris Gardens, Beaverton, Oregon, 20th Catalog, 1936.
PURISSIMA (Mohr-Mitchell, 1927) E, 48".
The finest pure white Iris. Roots are tender and it is not recommended for the more northern states (for which Easter Morn and Los Angeles are more suitable), but grows well on the Pacific Coast and south of the Mason & Dixon line. A normally flowered stalk is a never-to-be-forgotten sight. Perfectly branched with finely shaped flowers.

Carl Salbach, Berkeley, California. Iris and selected seed Specialities.1937.
PURISSIMA (Mohr-Mitchell). Although introduced ten seasons ago, this remarkable iris still blooms as the most perfect white, handicapped only by a touch of tenderness when grown in regions of severe wintering. Latest reports indicate perfect wintering in many regions, but it is definitely erratic in its bloom in the Midwestern and Eastern regions of the United States. Grows ideally where winters are mild. Pure white with great poise, fine form, and heavy substance. With the sun shining through it, it has the appearance of frosted glass. Ideal branching. Where the climate is mild, or where the quest for perfection outweighs the risk of no blooms, Purissima will be every bit as good as Bridal Veil and Snow King, the two new and hardy leaders in white, although all three are non-competitive, being different in type. We suggest yearly replacements with our fully mature rhizomes for the greatest probability of bloom in cold climates. Early. 50-inch. ---- 40c; 3 for $1.00

Stevens Bros, Bulls, New Zealand, Catalogue of Irises 1937-38.
PURISSIMA
This splendid flower still sets a mark of perfection and purity unequaled by any other iris. A pure white of great poise, fine form and heavy substance. With the sun shining through it, this has the appearance of frosted glass...........................................................4½ft.

Iris 'Purissima' in the garden of British Iris Society President G. L. Pilkington.
Illustration from The Iris Year Book 1938, insert facing page 52 

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1942, Bearded Flag Irises-An Initial Thirty, F.Wynn Hellings.
10. PURISSIMA. This superb Californian variety, a veritable queen, would have been in my first list (above) if it were not for the fact that some growers consider it tender in England. Its conduct in this garden has been exemplary, planted as it is in a position sheltered from north and east winds in soil lightened with sand. Its grave, statuesque beauty justifies this little extra care. It is early flowering, in fact in most years it is the first of the tall, bearded, May-June Irises to flower, only yielding in some years to HARMONY. The stems run to 5 feet in height and the branching is excellent. The flowers, which have a slight bluey tint at first, are perfect in form and are noticeably lasting,

AIS Checklist 1939
PURISSIMA (Mohr-Mitchell, R. 1927). TB, M. WW. Argentina X Conquistador.  Preliminary Commendation RHS 1933. Salbach 1927.

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Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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Heirloom Tall Bearded Iris "CATERINA"

Perhaps one of my great finds in New Zealand this year is an Heirloom Iris of significant historical importance growing in an Auckland garden.

Sir Michael Foster is justly looked up to as the pioneer and founder of the modern cult and cultivation of the Iris, and in 1888 he crossed I. pallida with I. cypriana, both of these irises at the time being considered collected wild species. The result, a selected seedling 'Caterina' (named after the Queen of Cyprus) was introduced. It was one of the first tetraploid hybrids, and proved to be invaluable for introducing plant size, vigour, plants with taller well-branched stems, and larger flowers to the world of tall bearded iris breeding. The hybrid vigour of this hand-cross produced seedlings that in comparison to the predominant diploids of the day were spectacular. Many of the early pioneers of tall bearded iris breeding, including Amos Perry, Geoffrey Pilkington, Sir Arthur Hort, George Yeld, Louis Dennis, Grace Sturtevant, B. Y Morrison, William H Mohr, the Sass Brothers, Edward Essig used 'Caterina' in their breeding, making it an ancestor of some of the best irises. As an example, William Mohr used 'Caterina' in a cross with I. mesopotamica to raise a seedling he named 'Argentina' (1923) which he then crossed to 'Conquistador', (1923) (Juniata X I. mesopotamica) to produce 'Purissima' (1927) . This was considered to be one of the all time greats in the colour white and was used extensively in hybridising. When 'Purissima' was crossed with 'Thais' it passed on its genetics plus its pure white colour to the outstanding tall bearded iris 'Snow Flurry', (1939). Seventy years ago this must have seemed like a miracle in outstanding hybridisation. When I sent the above photo to Phil Edinger for conformation of its identity, his informative reply was , “CATERINA! And a very nice shot of her, too!! One almost-diagnostic feature is the stalk. Often, as it elongates, the upper part will bend over. Sometimes it remains that way to some extent, with the terminal blossom at an odd angle. More frequently, though, the stalk will recover from the bend and grow upright but leave a bend or "crook" in the stem. The "official" description in AIS Bulletin 6 notes "stalk apt to be flexuous."

The Dean lris Gardens, Growers and Importers of Choice Iris, 1914 Catalog, Moneta, California.
IRIS CATERINA
THE late Sir Michael Foster, of England, devoted many years to the study of the Iris, collecting from all parts of the world wherever they are to be found-and also produced a large number of hybrids. Had he been trying to produce an Iris among his hybrids, particularly adapted to our climate, he could not have done better than when he gave us Caterina. It is a queen among Irises beautiful for any climate.

'We quote from two of the leading Iris growers of England regarding this Iris.'

"A lovely hybrid raised by the late Sir Michael Foster, from I.Cypriana and I. Pallida; the flowers are of great size and borne on long, stout branching stems, standards light clear blue, falls soft lilac-blue, delicately fragrant, 4½ feet. Award of Merit R.H.S."

"A very pretty hybrid, one of the very best of the late Sir Michael Foster's pets; a cross between Cypriana X Pallida, having large, conspicuous pale mauve flowers, with a brownish marking at base and a very conspicuous yellow beard. A.M., R.H.S."

The foliage being persistent throughout the year, the plant is ornamental at all times, with its broad leaves some two feet tall. The growth of the plant being checked a part of the year in colder climates, no doubt the blooming period is not as long as it is with us. It comes into bloom here about the 6th of April, and with proper care remains in bloom for two months and more. Our own stock, although divided last year, has not been without bloom for three months and is still making new flowering stems at this writing. The flowers are borne on branching stems, some four feet tall; most of the stems produce from fifteen to twenty blossoms, often five flowers being open on a stem at a time. The flowers measure 5½ inches from top of standards to bottom of falls. The plants do not throw up a quantity of flowering stems simultaneously, as many Irises of this class do, but instead seem to court our attention and admiration, by modestly extending their blooming period over such a long season.
We can confidently recommend it to those who have room for but a few plants and want something choice, and also that will give increased pleasure from year to year, as well as to those with more ample space, and who can perhaps afford to plant more liberally of it. Our stock is guaranteed true to name. The price at which this Iris is held, both in Europe and by the growers in the Eastern States who list it, proves that its worth is appreciated. The grower from whom we secured our stock in England writes us that this plant is getting very scarce, and many forms are being sold, both in England and elsewhere, as Caterina. For this reason, and the fact that the stock does not multiply as rapidly as that of some of the more common bearded varieties, the price will not be much reduced for some time to come.

AIS Bulletin #6 October 1922, Description of Varieties Part 1
CATERINA 8.9 (19)
Self, V. (1). Foster, 1909
Brief. Bluish lavender the falls slightly flushed lavender violet; S. fluted, tips touching; F. drooping; stalk low and well-branched; growth very variable; to 4 ft.
Details. Haft reticulations broad, widely spaced, brownish; beard white.yellow tip; stalk apt to be flexuous.
Remarks. A. M. R. H. S., 1907. Very fine in California but in the North it requires the most thoro drainage as it is subject to rot and winter killing.

The Iris Society (BIS) Bulletin No.2 May, 1925 'Sir Michael Foster and his Irises'.

 Sir Arthur Hort discussed his good friend’s work, and wrote “Foster gave me a bit of his original plant of Cypriana a name to which there are several pretenders. It has if I remember right (for I fear it is no more) as a rather weak stem and a large floppy red-purple flower; like Mesopotamica its best use is perhaps for hybridising. From it Foster raised several fine things. The finest and the best known are Caterina and Lady Foster, the later named I think by Mr Wallace after Sir Michaels death; Mr Wallace and I both I believe, first saw it at Shelford the same day. Caterina well illustrates the wisdom of seeding from a good hybrid.”
Sir Arthur Hort also made the following observation in the same article in regards to I. pallida , “Foster's collected pallida forms are very numerous ; he showed me once a bed of thirty arranged in order of stature and exhibiting what he called, 'The degeneration of pallida.'”

W R Dykes 'Handbook of Garden Irises' published 1924 page 226

'Caterina (48ins., Foster, 1909), pale lavender, flowers large but a weak stem, often unable to hold itself erect;” and from page 232, 'In this country little had been done before 1900 to raise garden hybrids on a large scale. Foster had made a few experiments with new introductions and obtained such good hybrids as Caterina and Miss Willmott but they were produced rather as the result of other enquiries and not as an end in themselves'.

A H Burgess and Son Waikanae Wellington 1926 catalogue.
CATERINA Large blue self, veined dark brown at the throat. Rather floppy. Must be staked. Early 1 shilling

CORNELL MEMOIR 100, Study of Pogoniris Varieties, Austin W.W. Sand, July 1926.
Color effect a bluish lavender to soft lilac, olive veined self: size large; form long, compact, rounded; flowering habit free ; tall bearded class; height 24-48 ins.; branching fastigate, low to high, two laterals; A flower of good substance; firm texture; smooth surface; good fragrance; good lasting quality. Its delicately colored, large sized blooms make excellent cut flowers and build up well in mass or specimen clumps. A most fragrant variety.
S. light lavender, reticulated with olive on the yellowish claw, carriage ad-pressed to arching; blade obovate, notched, undulate, ruffled, revolute, slightly cockled; size 2 in. wide, 3 in. long. F. lavender-violet, with whitish outer haft, widely reticulated with olive, becoming brown on the yellowed haft; carriage widely drooping; wedge shaped convex, oblong ; size 1⅞ in. wide. 3⅛ in. long. Minor parts; beard coarse, sparse, projecting, white tipped with yellow; haft very broad channelled; reticulations broad, close to widely spaced; style-branches medium broad overarching; crest small fringed; pollen plentiful; spathe-valves scarious. Growth moderate; increase slow to rapid; habit compact; foliage stiff, leaves broad, deep glaucous green; 2 blooms open at once, floriferous; stalk angular, slightly flexuous, with six or more buds. An I. trojana or I. cypriana X I. pallida hybrid. Requires a well drained situation.

The Dean lris Gardens 1916 Catalog

AIS Checklist 1929
CATERINA TB-B1M, Foster 1909 (cypriana X pallida)
Received Award of Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society in 1907

A Major Hat Tip to Audrey McCarrison for growing an iris she loves, and also to Phil Edinger for the interaction of thoughts and discussions concerning 'Caterina'. Perhaps one of the great outcomes when finding historic irises is the sharing of information and the friendships that are formed with those genuinely interested in historic Irises. As referred to above the merits and all the exciting contributions that Snow Flurry" made to the world of modern tall bearded irises will be elaborated in a separate post at a later date.

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Top photo credit and copyright Audrey McCarrison
Article copyright Iris Hunter.

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Historic Tall Bearded Iris 'SINDJKHA'

The Hybridizer, Grace Sturtevant, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts (1865-1947) began Iris breeding in 1910 and flowered her first seedlings in 1912. Her gardens were named 'The Glen Road Iris Gardens' and her first catalogue was published in 1917. Miss Sturtevant used European named varieties in making her first crosses and the names Oriflame, Caterina, Dalmatica, Iris King, Dr. Bernice, Aurea, Queen of May,and Mme. Chereau appear in her early breeding records. To quote from her early catalogue notes, "For me there is no ideal type. We want varieties of varying height for garden colour. We desire also varieties which possess qualities of form, carriage, or colour developed to perfection and at least some of us like samples of the curious and unusual". These comments still have relevance in today's iris world. Grace Sturtevant was both a founding member and Life member of the American Iris Society.

Cornell Extension Bulletin 1925
SINDJKHA, G. Sturtevant, 1918 TB 36" M S3M Color effect a blended lilac-drab, neutral violet bicolor. S. Hay's lilac suffused pale brownish drab shading to avellaneous and bronzing at the base, reticulated purplish brown; F. Chinese violet shading to reddish brown at base, veined neutral red and reticulated brown on yellow outer haft.Style branches dull yellow and beard conspicuous orange. Growth moderately vigorous, the foliage stiff and broad and the flower stalks erect, stout, exceptionally tall, and well branched. The blooms are large open and of firm texture. In effect, this sort resembles a dull 'Caterina'. Rating 83.

A H Burgess & Son Catalogue Waikanae 1928
Sindjkhat; Standards lavender bronze,shaded to dark olive bluff at the base. Falls light purple, shaded and pencilled with soft brown at haft. Late 4ft. 5 shillings. 
(Note the different spelling of the name. SINDJKHA spelt as SINDJKHAT appeared in several different early catalogues and the different spelling is noted as a synonym in the AIS Alphabetical Iris Check List 1929)

 AIS Checklist 1929
SINDJKHA TB-S3M. Sturtevant 1918; Sturtevant 1918; Sheets 1928; Class VI a (1) ; AAA 142; Sindjkhat ; ☐ ; 83; 81; 80.

Explanation: Class VI a (1) Blend -Varieties with standards of shot shades, pale blue or lavender, the yellow being scarcely perceptible.

I know of no commercial grower in New Zealand that sells this outstanding Iris at present but there was a grower in South Auckland who had this Iris Catalogued and Mis-labeled as 'Opal Light'. It was also grown and labelled as 'Opal Light' in the official 'Jean Stevens Collection', but that's another great story of intrigue and pious hand-ringing so much so it will have its own post at a latter date.
American visitors wanting to purchase this variety could try 'Argyle Acres'.

Photo taken in the gardens of Dawn Callaghan in Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand.

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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