Tall Bearded Iris FESTIVE SKIRT

This vigorous Pink and White amoena can sometimes rebloom for me at home. 'Festive Skirt' is taller than its pollen parent 'Sunset Snows', with larger blooms that have extremely clean snow white standards with flaring falls of a good cocoa salmon pink that gradually lightens to a pale whitish pink towards the edge, subtle orange beards complete the package.... All and all a better 'Sunset Snows'. Frank Hutchings was renowned by some breeders for his work with Pink Amoena's which was equaled to Jean Stevens pink amoena breeding programme but sadly a lot of Franks work was and still is mind you, virtually unheralded. This Iris is still widely available in New Zealand and it's worth noting 'The Iris Boutique' (formerly Dublin Bay Irises) Catalogue has it listed this year for the very reasonable price of $9.00

Tell's Iris Gardens, Orem, Utah.
Tell's Iris Gardens Proudly Presents New for 1974.
FESTIVE SKIRT (Hutchings). M. 36 inches. (Complicated pedigree. See '73 Registrations) A personable advance in the Plic-amoena class. #71-28A. . $25.00

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California. The Connoisseurs Catalog, 1981.
FESTIVE SKIRT (Hutchings '74.) Still the best rose and white "pink" amoena.

IRISES A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin
Iris FESTIVE SKIRT (F. Hutchings 1973.)
This amoena has white standards that are flushed salmon-pink and salmon-pink falls that are paler in colour around the edges. The beards are orange. The petals are slightly ruffled. Height 89 cm. (35½ in.) Bloom mid-season.Parentage includes La Parisienne, Barbara Luddy, Just Annie, Golden Eagle, Pinnacle, China Gate, Numero Uno, and Sunset Snows.

AIS Checklist 1979
FESTIVE SKIRT F. Hutchings, Reg. 1973 Sdlg. 71-28A. TB, 35" (89 cm), M. S. white; F. salmon with pink overlay; orange beard; slight ruffling. 68-61: (inv. La Parisienne, Barbara Luddy, Just Annie, Golden Eagle, Pinnacle, China Gate, Numero Uno) X Sunset Snows. Tell 1974.

'Festive Skirt' is in the parentage of another of my favourite irises I grow at home 'Oriental Alabaster'.

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 'TRIBAL TORCH '

TRIBAL TORCH flowered for me last season and intrigues me no end. First, the very involved Parentage and it's genetic code is made up from some very good irises. Frank Hutchings used a lot of Jean Stevens varieties in his breeding program, so as you can see below 'Pinnacle' is in the parentage of 'Tribal Torch' 5 times and then there is also an appearance of 'Finest Hour'. Undoubtedly ahead of its time with its variegata colouration and it's now referred to broken colour splashes on the standards. Secondly, concerning the registration description just how do you get a self beard on a bicolour??? Additional information added below from Tell's Gardens' Catalog adjusts this beard colour oversight. Many of you may grow Frank's well known 1973 introduction 'Festive Skirt' a Pink Amoena which is another top Iris and has 'Pinnacle' and 'Sunset Snows' included in its parentage . I am most pleased to have both of these irises in my collection.You will also note Tell Muhlestein's catalogue comments that 'Tribal Torch' is fertile both ways, but I can find no registered Iris that has it included in it's parentage, could this be an opportunity for someone??? 

Tell's Garden's Orem Utah. 'We proudly present our 1971 Introductions'.
TRIBAL TORCH (Hutchings) ML. 36" Ruby Mine X 68-89.  A very involved cross with Mardi Gras, Pinnacle (5 times), Mexican Magic, Finest Hour, Cherry Falls, Sable Night, Pacemaker, Canyon Sky, Tompkins 30-96 D, Cock Pheasant, Wabash, Red Torch. Stunning variegata with red-brown (auburn) falls; styles yellow flushed red ; beard burnt amber; Clean hafts; Superb addition to the limited variegata's. Fertile both ways. No. 68-17A..............................Net $25.00

1979 AIS Checklist
TRIBAL TORCH (Hutchings R. 1970) Sdgl. 68-17A. TB 32" (81cm) M. S.golden with F. color busting up from the base: F. rich red chocolate; self beard.Ruby Mine X 68-89A (Inv. Pinnacle, Cherry Falls, Sable Night, Pacemaker, Canyon Sky, Cock Pheasant, Wabash, Red Torch.) Tell 1971

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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