Tall Bearded Iris GOOD EARTH

Has been popular in our garden for years, 'GOOD EARTH' is a honey of a bold golden bronze self. Vigorous  grower which quickly produces a great garden clump after division. Thick well branched stems support the large blooms. For a long time this iris sold in New Zealand as an Iris without ID, and recently sent to me to be ID labelled as 'Debbie's Brown'.

Hamner's Iris Garden, Perris California. 1979 Introductions.
GOOD EARTH-TB, 36-38", M. Rich golden bronze self with strong, upright stands and wide, flaring, ruffled falls. Branching and but count excellent. Vigorous. This golden bronze beauty has tremendous garden value. Sdlg. 75-122. Spiced Honey X (Taste of Honey x Honey Nectar).. .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. $25.00

AIS Checklist, 1979.
GOOD EARTH (Bernard Hamner, R. 1978). Sdlg. 75-122. TB, 36-38" (91-97 cm), M. Ruffled golden bronze self; self beard. 'Spiced Honey' X ('Taste of Honey' x 'Honey Nectar'). Hamner 1979.

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 ©. 

Read More

Tall Bearded Iris SPANISH GIFT

 Spanish Gift is in a small and select collection of George Shoop's Irises at home. The bloom has a very chiselled masculine look that displays on strong well branched stems that always have a great bud count. Healthy vigorous growth resulting in a large clump quickly is a huge plus, and even this last bloom season at home which at best could be kindly described as mediocre 'Spanish Gift' was one of the few outstanding performer. 

George A. Shoop, Hybridizer, Portland Oregon.1966
SPANISH GIFT 1965. Bright orange with deep orange-red beard. Wide, ruffled, flaring falls. Well branched. Large, strong stalk. 36". Seedling 60-16-1. $25.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1970, Number 198.
The Overlooked Wonders, Joseph J. Ghio, Santa Cruz, California.
In our rush to see the newest and most discussed irises, we often overlook some fine, even great, varieties. Once overlooked, an iris rarely makes it through the quagmire of obscurity to receive its just reward. Occasionally an overlooked iris does clear the clouds and enters the shining light it deserves......It is our opinion that the following irises have been overlooked and underestimated. They are worthy of far more recognition and fame than has been accorded them...............................
SPANISH GIFT (Shoop '67) is an apricot-orange of fine branching and bud count. A rhizome will produce an "instant" clump; and in Santa Cruz it is an everblooming iris, a trait to cultivate in more irises!

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1970.
SPANISH GIFT (Shoop, '65) EM. 35" Each $7.50
Warm, glowing, bright orange self; the beard is still deeper orange red on a creamy central ground. Here is a fine follow up on the heels of the variety listed just above from this same hybridizer.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1972, Number 204.
Youth-Views. Radical Views Perry Dyer.
In the orange class, again the older one appears to be the best all around. SPANISH GIFT (Shoop, '65) is by far the most vigorous orange on the market, and probably has the best form.

AIS Checklist, 1969.
SPANISH GIFT G.Shoop, Reg. 1964 Sdlg. B60-16-l. TB, 36" (91 cm), M ; Orange self; deep orange beard. Bright Magic X B55-39. Shoop 1965. HM 1967.

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 ©.

Read More

Classic Tall Bearded Iris LOUDOUN CHARMER

This Iris is one of the garden favourites. Unbelievable growth with high health foliage. Large blooms on iron-rod stalks and the combination of the colours............. well to just say they are distinctive is nothing short of under selling what is an amazing balanced kaleidoscope of colours that is not often seen in newer varieties. A very classy classic iris and an absolute must have if you can find it!!

Gene and Gerry's Iris Gardens, Frederick Maryland.
1973 Introduction of George I. Crossman, Dr. Nearpass, G. & G. Burger.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (G. Crossman '73) $25.00
Sdlg. 68-34: Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. TB 38" Mid. Ruffled standards of cream coloring, with a hint of orange; which arch to a closed position. Semi-flaring falls of Medium violet, with a distinctive 3/8" bronze border; set off with a a glowing tangerine beard. Very vigorous blue-green foliage; good stalk with 7 to 8 buds. Try this one-It will add CHARM to your collection.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1973, Number 210.
The Philadelphia Story, Hal Stahly.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman) was going to town here. It is different in color, the standards a flesh tone with violet infusion, the falls light violet, the beard tangerine. That may sound like a familiar pattern, but this one had a pastel effect that is unusual and appealing. It is of nice form on a good stalk with about eight buds.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1974, Number 213.
Convention in '74-Virginia Is for Iris Lovers, Rena Crumpler.
LOUDOUN LASSIE---George Crossman '72. Uniformly outstanding performance in all tour gardens in which it is growing, it has ivory-pink standards, true orchid falls with lighter area in the center around a deep coral beard. This iris and another in the "Loudoun" series, LOUDOUN CHARMER, '73, are a marvelous pair. Both are laced and ruffled with good proportions throughout and very distinctive. They are of similar coloring, LOUDOUN LASSIE being the pinker of the two. These irises are named for Loudoun County, (Lou pronounced as in aI-low and doun pronounced down) which is the home county of the hybridizer. I make this explanation because in Philadelphia I heard it pronounced "Luden" as in cough drop and just plain "lowdown."

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1974, Number 214.
California Comments, Keith Keppel, Roses,Lavenders, and what-have you.
This is rather a catch-all grouping, some tangerine-bearded, some not, but all of them are desirable....
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman '73)-38: 1. Show table stalks carry flowers with peachy-cream standards with a flush of lavender in the midrib. The falls are rosy-orchid with a pale tan rim and red-orange beards. Extremely attractive.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
LOUDOUN CHARMER
An excellent bi-colour with off white standards, and contrasting deep orchid-coloured falls. Early bloomer.

AIS Checklist 1979
LOUDOUN CHARMER  (B. Crossman, R. 1972) Sdlg. 6834. TB, 39" (99 cm), M    S. cream (RHS 159C); F. violet (84C); tangerine beard. Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. Gene & Gerry's Iris 1973. HM 1974.

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

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

Read More

Classic Tall Bearded Iris SUN MIRACLE

Considered by Carlos Ayento, of Brighton Park Iris to be rare variety in its American homeland. 'Sun Miracle' is a forty six year old classic and is still growning and seen alot in gardens here in New Zealand.
Amazingly bright, its an Iris with great carrying power, grows extraordinarily well. It's such a clean yellow self.  

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1967.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967) M. 36"
Sun Miracle is not a golden yellow but in the  scale a true canary yellow. In the garden picture we never get enough of these. Their effect is like magic in brightening up the entire iris colorama. Yellow is indeed the most vivid color: witness the popularity of marigolds. Don't pass up this potent color. It will do things for you!

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967) M. 36"
A true canary yellow of perfect form. In the garden we never get enough of these. Their effect is like magic in brightening up the entire colorama. Yellow is indeed the most vivid color; witness the popularity or marigolds. This new yellow is a glorious, sunshiny color. Big blooms and extra fine branching.

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. 1971-1972 Catalogue.
SUN MIRACLE  M. 36". A true canary yellow of perfect form, yellow acts like magic in brighten up the entire garden.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1976,Varietal Comment- Tall Bearded, Bryan Dodsworth.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967). Canary yellow self. Unsurpassed in its colour group. Every stem is of show quality, the flowers are of ideal form and rugged substance.Disease is unknown to it and it increases freely. As the advertisers say, no garden can be considered complete without it.

AIS Checklist 1969
 SUN MIRACLE    (Schreiners, R. 1967). Sdlg. W 474-AA. TB 36" M. Y1F.    Absolute self of even color pure gold, canary yellow (RHS canary yellow), very smooth; even yellow beard. Olympic Torch X R 272-2 ((Golden Blaze x M1158-A (Country Butter x Golden Sunshine))., Schreiners 1967.

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

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises © .

Read More

Tall Bearded Iris SPRECKLES

An Iris that has lasted the test of time and yet when it blooms it is still an a annoyingly strong example of the carrying power of plicata's .
Its name however I have always thought was inappropriate for this variety. 'Spreckles' sounds like a name for a budgie, or a thrush or one of our farmyard hens. When first told this Iris had been named 'Spreckles' it reminded me of the time when I found out the loud and brash punk rocker that lived down the road in the '70's is now working at the Haberdashery Counter at Spotlight and proudly wearing the name tag 'Rupert'.
Spreckles the iris is consistently every season dressed like a very colourful loud and brash punk that could almost have been conceived with the artist Jackson Pollock's imagination.
Grows really well as a plant, with vigour and has a resistance to virus, and carries well in the garden. Tuck it away in a large clump of early-mid season flowering blacks and dark blue irises and you may be surprised. Amazingly popular in New Zealand and still sold by many commercial growers.
Age could never change this iris, whereas Rupert now looks like a lost alternative lifestyle geek who got into body piecing in a big way, perhaps to hang pieces of Haberdashery off.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
SPRECKLES (Schreiner's, 1972) ML. 35"
With its cadenced rhythmic motion this charming red plicata offers one a real surprise. Its animated crimson stippled marking on a gay yellow ground mark it as the reddest plicata, with the deepest yellow background shadings of any Iris we catalog. Early blooming, good stems with fine branching and 5 to 8 buds.

Jean Collins Iris Garden, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Iris Catalogue, 1982.
SPRECKLES  EM- Very bright plicata. Red/brown markings on yellow

BayBloom Nurseries, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1996.
9916  SPRECKLES This charming red offers one a real surprise with its crimson stippled markings on a bright yellow background. Early blooming with fine branching, this variety has always been popular.

AIS Checklist 1979
SPRECKLES    Schreiner's, Reg. 1979. Sdlg. B2388-1. TB 35" (89 cm) EM  S. coppery red flush on yellow ground; F. bright yellow ground with red plicata markings; orange beard. Cayenne Capers X R 185-1: (M1141-A x self)., Schreiner's 1971.

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 Bearded Iris PINK REVERIE

'Pink Reverie' is an eloquent statement of strong pink with a distinct Apricot Salmon band on the edges of both the standards and the falls, all  accented with bright and daring Saturn Red beards. Classic form, silky texture, slightly ruffled, flared fall and substance supreme. Good increase and great health. 'Pink Reverie' in my opinion will go down in iris history as one of the all-time great Intermediates in the colour Pink, and as an added bonus it reblooms!!! Not bad for a 45 year old don't you think??
Thought I would also include below the listing from Richmonds, famous for their loquacious variety descriptions.

Mission Bell Gardens, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hamblen, Roy Utah. Iris for 1973
PINK REVERIE    (A. Brown, '69) E. 22in. Ruffled and flared coral pink with a slight orchid influence. Beard Saturn red. (Pink Pride X Self).
H.M. '71..............................................$2.50
 
Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue #63, 2013-2014 Catalogue.
PINK REVERIE    (A. Brown, '68) Re-bloomer. Dark Pink.......................................$8.00

AIS Checklist 1969
PINK REVERIE   A. Brown, Reg. 1968. Sdlg. M 1205-3. IB 22" E. O1P.    Pink self with slight orchid influence, ruffled; bright saturn red beard. Pink Pride X Pink Pride., Brown's Iris Gardens 1969.

Available in New Zealand from Richmond Iris Gardens this season
Clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

Read More

Classic Collectable Tall Bearded Iris MOONSTRUCK

Small amounts of sort of zonal white beneath the yellow beard tipped orange which was empathised in the Artist enhanced image in the Schreiner's 1982 catalogue confirmed to me the ID plus the description in Schreiner's catalogue and other publications that documented its vigorous growth. At home 'Moonstruck' is a weed-of-a-grower, so very quickly makes a highly desirable, compact clump with a mountain of non fading yellow flowers. Make sure you plant the rhizome in a position so it can expand, one season this iris increased with 4 new thick rhizomes. Thirty four years old 'Moonstruck' is a Classic Collectable Iris.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
MOONSTRUCK   (Schreiner 1979) EM. 36"
You will marvel at this enticing, precisely formed and exquisitely clean light  sulphur to lemon yellow. It has flawless form and equally compensating vigour. Its enamel finished flowers are ideally poised on two and three branched stems, with 7 to 9 buds.

AIS Checklist 1979
MOONSTRUCK   Schreiner's, Reg. 1979. Sdlg. I 1225-1. TB 36" (91 cm) EM. Sulphur yellow self; light yellow beard. Moon Glimmer X New Moon., Schreiner's 1979.

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

Read More