French Historic Tall Bearded Iris Mademoiselle Schwartz

En 2012 Lawrence Ransom m’a fait parvenir un lot d’iris anciens qu’il avait reçus du Parc Floral de Paris lors de son inventaire de la collection Simonet. Un plan de plantation figurait au dos du bordereau de livraison de ces iris, noté d’une belle calligraphie, avec la précision et la rigueur qui sont celles de Lawrence.

Un rhizome avait été envoyé à Phi Edinger quelques années auparavant (de Lawrence via Michèle Bersillon qui s’était gentiment chargée des modalités d’exportation).
L’identification de cet iris est donc depuis longtemps  à l’étude des deux cotés de l’Atlantique. Il a voyagé incognito sous la fausse identité de ‘Lady Foster’.
 
Phil Edinger et moi-même avons abouti à la même conclusion sans nous consulter. L’iris est en réalité ‘Mademoiselle Schwartz’ (Denis 1916)
"Mademoiselle Schwartz" a tous les atouts de la beauté juvénile qui a bu à la source de Jouvence. La taille élancée, le teint clair, une beauté immuable.
La pureté de la fleur, sa couleur délicate, les fossettes discrètes de sa gorge sont les garants de la beauté intemporelle des œuvres d’art majeures qui suscitent l’admiration et laissent sans voix.

In 2012, Lawrence Ransom sent me a selection of historic iris that he received from the Parc Floral de Paris during his inventory of the Simonet collection.  A plantation diagram was included on the back of the shipping list sent with these irises, with precise annotations written in beautiful calligraphy by Lawrence. 

Several rhizomes of one cultivar were purchased from Lawrence by Michèle Bersillon at the request of Phil Edinger, cultivated in Michèle's garden and then sent on to Phil the following year in order to comply with export regulations.  The identity of this particular iris had been in question on both sides of the Atlantic for some time and it was both purchased and sent under the false identity of "Lady Foster"

Phil Edinger and myself had come to the same conclusion without comparing our information.  The mystery iris is, in fact, "Mademoiselle Schwartz" (Denis, 1916).  "Mademoiselle Schwartz" has all the qualities of a young beauty who who has consumed water from the Fountain of Youth: slender and tall, delicately coloured and of unchanging beauty.  The flower's purity, its delicate colours and the discreet dimples of its throat are marks of the sort of timeless beauty that characterises those admirable major works of art which leave one in awe. 

Les Iris Cultivés  1922 (choix de 100 variétés pages 30-31-32)
Mademoiselle Schwartz (Denis, 1916), bleu lilas tendre uni.

Cayeux & Le Clerc, Quai de la Mégisserie, 8, Paris. Catalog 1923 
Mademoiselle Schwartz (Denis 1916). Splendid variety, very tall with branching spikes, large flowers pales mauve. Very scarce.

Frank W. Campbell, Detroit, Michigan. Rare Iris, 1923. 
The Rarest and Best Iris Gathered from all the Introducer'sMlle. Schwartz(Denis 1916) Pale mauve. Somewhat color of Caterina, but very different shape. Considered among the worlds very best iris, and stock is always scarce. Well branched, tall, stiff stems................$4.

Treasure Oak Nursery, Mays Landing, New Jersey, Catalog of Select Iris and Peonies, 1923.
The Best and Rarest of the Iris.
Mlle. Schwartz . (Denis 1916. CM., Paris.) ......................................$5 00
Pallida X Ricardi.
A light blue overlustered with pink.
This magnificent Iris, the work of the French amateur, Mons. Denis, is considered to be the best of his many successful seedlings. It is tall, possibly one of the tallest Irises in cultivation, with finely poised spikes much branched and bearing beautiful, durable blooms of Pallida form. Larger than Caterina and more freely inclined to bloom; wonderfully qualified for mass display. The growth of this plant is rapid and vigorous even in the North; the foliage is yellowish green.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January, 1923. Number 7.
European Visits in 1922. John C. Wister.
.................we were well repaid for the trip by seeing such magnificent flowers of Mlle.Schwartz and Cornuault............................Mlle. Schwartz was again very fine and I marked it 9.2

The Sam Carpenter Gardens, Oswego, Kansas. Irises-Peonies-Gladioli-Dahlias, 1925
87-Mlle. Schwartz , TB. (1916)-Splendid variety, very tall with branching spikes ; large flowers; palest mauve. Scarce and choice·------------ ·----- ---------- $3.50

Cayeux et Le Clerc, Quai de la Mégisserie, 8, Paris. (Annotations L. R.)
Mademoiselle Schwartz (Denis 1916). Plante très haute, aux longs épis ramifiés, portant de grandes fleurs mauve très pâle. Teinte exquise, fraiche et délicate.

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Deuxième Série, 1925-1926.
Iris des Jardins Nouveaux
Mademoiselle Schwartz (Denis). Demi-tardif. Grand et beau pallida, à longues hampes de 110 à 125 cm. Grande fleur de bonne tenue, de teinte unforme, bleu lavande très pâle ; les divisions inférieures sont longues et étalées et les onglets très finement striés, styles de même couleur que les divisions. A obtenu un Certificat de mérite à la Société Nationale d'Horticulture de France.

Cornell Extension Bulletin 112, 1925.
Bearded Iris A perennial suited to all Gardens. Austin W.W. Sand.
Mille. Schwartz  (Denis, 1916). Color effect a mauve veined self.Standards pale mauve. Falls pale mauve, faintly veined the same over the light yellowish outer haft. The plant is moderate to vigorous in growth, producing exceptionally tall, well-branched flowering stalks. The immense size of its bloom is its outstanding feature. Rating 87.
 
Carl Salbach Berkeley, California, Irises Catalog, 1926.
Mlle. Schwartz (Denis). 87-A lovely pinkish mauve of fine, size and height. $3.50

Iris Fields, West La Fayette, Indiana. Iris of Quality,1926
87  Mlle. Schwartz (Denis, 1916). A pale mauve self. Very large and of fine form. One of the most outstanding varieties and a great favorite................ 2.00

Lee R. Bonnewitz Catalog,Van Wert, Ohio, A Descriptive Iris List, 1926.
Mlle. Schwartz  (Denis, 1916).
Pale mauve. One of the most artistic Irises. Flowers of good size and form. One of the best irises in commerce, although we believe Mother of Pearl will prove more satisfactory due to its hardier, more vigorous growing habit. The color is somewhat similar.

Bearded Iris Tried at Wisley 1925-1927, Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
Class V a. Varieties with standards and falls of the same shade of pale blue-purple
Mlle. Schwartz.   Foliage nearly green, 20 inches. Flowering stems 38 inches, 6 or 7 fld. Flowers of medium size, well proportioned, rather wrinkled, pale lavender mauve ; standards domed ; falls hanging straight ; beard tipped yellow. Flowering for three weeks  from May 14 1927.

Image from Gardening Illustrated January 5th, 1929. Scan courtesy RHS, Lindley Library.

Indian Springs Farm, Baldwinsville, New York.Iris Catalog 1927
Mlle. Schwartz (Denis 1916) 8.7. A large, free-flowering self of finest form. Uniform, soft, light lavender-blue, or mauve, that is distinct, delicate and beautiful. A shade lighter than Mother of Pearl. 48 inches. If given a well-drained location this is a free, robust grower and produces a marvelous garden effect.................. $1.00 each.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1928,"Iris Riccardi as a parent and Nurseries for its children", Geoffrey L. Pilkington.
....The first enthusiast to appreciate this fact, and to put it into practice, was Mons. Denis, who, living on the Mediterranean, near Marseilles, was well located to grow the species Riccardi satisfactorily. He has produced many seedlings using Riccardi as a parent, some thought difficult to grow well, are admittedly beautiful varieties. Perhaps the best known are :-  Mdlle. Schwartz 1916 (Riccardi X pall.dal) which is to be found in many collection of Irises, and which in spite of it's Riccardi parentage is tolerably hardy. 3ft.6in to 4ft.

A.H.Burgess and Son, Iris Specialists, Waikanae, Wellington. 1930.
Mille. Schwartz - Magnificent variety, Very Tall. Colour is a pale Mauve. 4ft. ..............7/6

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Série Générale, 1930.
Mademoiselle Schwartz (Denis). Demi-tardif. Grand et beau pallida, à longues hampes de 110 à 125 cm. Grande fleur de bonne tenue, de teinte uniforme, bleu lavande très pâle; les divisions inférieures sont longues et étalées et les onglets très finement striés, styles de même couleur que les divisions. Certificat de Mérite de la S.N.H.F.

Les Iris Cultivés  1922

AIS Checklist 1939
MILLE. SCHWARTZ (Ferdinand Denis, 1916) TB. M. B7L. Millet & Fils 1916; The Garden 1919;Lee R. Bonnewitz 1920; Earl Woodward Sheets, 1928; Garden Illustrated 1929; Gilroy 1929; Fillmore Gardens 1937; Tip Top Gardens 1937; Rowancroft Gardens 1938;  'Ricardi' x 'Dalmatica'. AAA Journal Royal Horticultural Society  136; C.M., S.N.H.F. 1922; Journal Société Nationale d'Horticulture de France. 23; 214, June 1922; A.M. R.H.S. Award of Merit,Royal Horticultural Society 1931;

Merci beaucoup to Catherine Adam  for sharing with us all the above information and amazing photos. Its always a privilege to have Catherine Adam write for Heritage Irises. Catherine officially vets the Iris collection at the Parc Floral de Paris so she writes with some authority.

 Major Hat Tip to Phil Edinger for his succinct contributions and direction.

A Double Hat Tip to the RHS, Lindley Library, and their amazing staff for the above Gardening Illustrated image scan. 
.
As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Catherine Adam is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Catherine Adam © .

Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Catherine Adam is strictly prohibited. 

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Tall Bearded Historic Iris DEMI-DEUIL

    
 Demi-Deuil bred by Fernand Denis was eventually in 1931 placed on the American Iris Society 'Black List' one of the most crazy surveys in the Iris world, and in my opinion it was the iris equivalent of 'Burning Books'. It was a decade of 'Iris Shaming'.
William Caparne was so concerned with the American Iris Society encouraging the discarding of older Iris varieties for the best new varieties that started in "The Flower Grower" in 1919-1920. In his article 'On Discarding Irises' I think he summed up his concerns well in the following paragraph.
 There are various ways of looking at flowers, as at most things; 1st, by themselves; 2nd, in company with others; 3rd, en mass; and each of these ways demands separate methods of mind. In the mass we can and do arrange colours to agree and to tell with effect. In a group, small or large, we had better do so, but the individual is at home to us and has all its points and characters available to be read, delighted in and conversed about. It is indeed very beautiful, but it by no means follows that these beauties either shine or are even exhibited in company. And, if you want them to, you must make special arrangements as you would for a concert performer; don't put him or her into a crowd with several other pianos going, and then discard him as over-rated, not up to the mark, etc. I think it is distinctly part of the business of the Iris Society to help people to see more beauty in things beautiful and in this connection it is well to remember the old saw that "the better is ever the enemy of the good and the best can kill both".

  Demi-Deuil is a iris of distinct character, is a strong grower and is still admired by growers with taste. Should it have been registered today there is a strong possibly it would be classified a Table Iris

Cayeux et Le Clerc, Quai de la Mégisserie, 8, Paris.
Demi-Deuil (Denis 1912).
Coloris distinct à fond blanc tigré et zébré violet pensée.

Lee R. Bonnewitz,Van Wert, Ohio, Peonies and Irises,1926.
DEMI-DEUIL (Denis)
We are told this French name means 'half-mourning' so you must not expect this Iris to contain bright colors. S. pansy-violet shaded copper; F. red-violet with white markings; yellow beard stippled brown.Two rhizomes at 45c each, five or more rhizomes at  40c each.

Carl Salbach Irises,Creston Road Berkeley, California,1926.
Demi-deuil (Denis). A very odd dark plicata. White ground almost covered with dull purple veins and dots. 50c.

U.S. Department of Agriculture The Farmers Bulletin
 Issued January 1926. Garden Irises.

Lee R. Bonnewitz,Van Wert, Ohio, Peonies and Irises,1928.
DEMI-DEUIL (Denis)
This Iris originated in France, has pansy-violet, red-violet and copper tones, and it's name when translated in English is "Half Mourning." It is valuable as a novelty only............$0.38

The Dean lris Gardens, Moneta, California. Choice Iris, Price List for 1921-1922.
The Largest Collection West of the Rocky Mountains and one of the Largest in the United States.
Introductions of English and French Origin.
Demi-deuil (Denis). S. amber yellow, heavily veined and dotted deep livid purple; F. white, veined and dotted dark dull purple. A dark Plicata of unusual color. Each, $1.00.

Bearded Iris Tried at Wisley 1925-1927, Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Class VI a (1)
Varieties with standards of shot shades, pale blue or lavender, the yellow being scarcely perceptible .
Planted in the General Collection
DEMI-DEUIL 26 inches. June. 

AIS Checklist 1929.
DEMI-DEUIL TB-S8D (Denis 1912) Maron 1919; Denis 1920; Earl Woodward Sheets,1928; Class VI a (1) Journal Royal Horticultural Society, Trials January 1928; Commended, Royal Horticultural Society 14th June 1916; Journal Royal Horticultural Society,42; Parts 2 & 3,Trials.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tip and "Merci beaucoup" to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French language catalogue listing, and sharing with you the amazing photos of the historic Tall Bearded Iris 'Demi-Deuil'.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Catherine Adam is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Catherine Adam © .

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. Copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

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French Historic Intermediate Bearded Iris ARCHEVÊQUE

Within the framework of the in-depth study concerning French horticultural heritage that I have been working on for many years, the Parc Floral de Paris asked for my help checking the identification  of the cultivars they possess and the reorganisation of their collection of both bearded and species irises.  They sent me certain plants in order to achieve that objective and ‘Archevêque’ is one of the plants I have had the pleasure of observing first hand.  
The rigid but fine bloom stalk is 50 cm high, has four buds and one can understand the particular name, ‘Archevêque ‘ as the flowers open, with their colours which are reminiscent of the luxury and colours of priestly clothing worn by the , 'Archevêque' (Archbishops) of the Catholic Church.  
Assessment under different types of light reveals the delicate qualities of all the parts of this flower.  
Archevêque is a sumptuous iris which increases slowly - it has the good taste to not act as if it were an invasive weed like some cultivars.  It does honour to the unique genetic heritage of bearded irises of which France is the birthplace. 
CATHERINE ADAM, FRANCE, 2015.

G. G. Whitelegg & Co, Chislehurst, Kent,Catalogue of Irises 1921
June Flowering Irises, General Collection.
ARCHEVEQUE (Vilmorin).-A brilliant coloured variety of French origin, Standards rich violet-purple, Falls bright Velvet crimson. An exceedingly fine flower ............. .. ..

Les Iris Cultivés  1922, choix de 100 variétés pages 30-31-32
Archevêque (Vilmorin 1911). Divisions supérieures violet rougeâtre clair, divisions inférieures violet velouté.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1922, Number 6.
Descriptions of Varieties, Part 1.
ARCHEVEQUE 8.3 (22)
Bicolor. RR,-V. (d).     Vilmorin, 1911
Brief. Standards, light hortense violet; Falls, velvety raisin purple; stalk, short branched; growth, vigorous; 2 ft.
Details. Beard yellow, brown tip; styles pearl gray and violet.
Remarks. Unusually deep rich color, effective in mass.

Treasure Oak Nursery, Mays Landing, New Jersey, Catalog of Select Iris and Peonies, 1923.
The Best and Rarest of the Iris.
8.3 ARCHEVEQUE. (Vilmorin 1911. CM., RHS.) $0.75
S.-Deep purple-violet (hortense Violet).
F.-Black-purple of velvety surface.
True stock of this variety is in demand as it is slow in increasing and at times backward in blooming but these faults are overlooked for its wonderful bloom of finest texture and color.

The Dean lris Gardens, Moneta, California.Choice Iris 1924.
Archeveque (Vilmorin). Standards purple·violet; Falls very dark velvety purple. Beard, ocher tipped brown. A very rich, handsome Iris and free bloomer, blooming in mid-winter in Southern California. Each, 50c; dozen $5.00.

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Deuxième Série, 1925-1926.
17. Archevêque (Vilmorin). Hâtif. Divisions inférieures grandes, violet foncé velouté avec médiane plus claire; les supérieures violet rougeâtre. Haut 0m60.

Carl Salbach, 657 Woodmont Avenue, Berkeley, California. Irises, 1926.
Archeveque (Vilmorin). 83-Standards red violet, Falls deeper and velvety. Fine color and inclined in California to bloom in late fall as well as spring. 2 ft.

Iris Fields, West La Fayette, Indiana. Iris of Quality,1926
83. ARCHEVEQUE (Vilm. 1911). An old variety that has not been surpassed in its color. Standards deep purple violet; Falls velvety raisin purple. 2 ft.
(DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES The figure before the name is the rating of the American Iris Society on a score of 100 as perfection. Those not preceded by a figure
have not yet been rated. Any Iris receiving a score of 70 or over is considered good.)

Longfield Iris Farm, Bluffton, Indiana. Price List 1926
83. Archeveque (Vilmorin 1911). A richly colored Iris fine in clump or mass. Standards violet; falls a deep violet purple. Neither large nor tall but a general favorite on account of its fine coloring. Two feet. - $0.50

Leamon G. Tingle, Pittsville, Maryland. Tingle's 1927 Catalog of Nursery Stock
8.3. ARCHEVEQUE (Vilmorin 1911). A striking flower of brilliant coloring. Standards, rich violet-purple, Falls, bright velvet-crimson. 40c

Indian Springs Farm,Baldwinsville, New York.Iris Catalog 1927
ARCHEVEQUE (Vilmorin 1911) 8.3. Standards deep purple-violet; Falls rich, deep, velvety violet. An exceedingly fine flower of rich coloring. 24 inches. - 35 cts. each; 85 cts. for 3; $3.00 per doz.

Lee R. Bonnewitz Catalog,Van Wert, Ohio, Peonies and Irises Catalog, 1928.
ARCHEVEQUE (Vilmorin 1911) The cheapest and the best quality of the rich red-purple Irises for landscape effect. If, with its high quality and its bright color, it possessed also size and height and were scarce,it would sell at an extremely high price.  $0.35    Five Rhizomes for $1.00; 1 Dozen rhizomes for $2.00; one hundred rhizomes for $15.00;

Shenandoah Nurseries, Shenandoah, Iowa. Peonies Iris-Lilies & Bulbs, 1929.
ARCHEVEQUE, (Vilmorin 1911) 8.3. Standards, deep velvety violet, Falls, deep purple, an unusual and rich color effect seldom found in Iris. 24 inches.

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Série Générale, 1930.
17.Archevêque (Vilm.). Hâtif. Divisions inférieures grandes, violet foncé velouté avec bande médiane plus claire, les supérieures violet rougeâtre. Haut 60 cm.

The Orpington Nurseries Co. Ltd., Orpington, Kent. Irises 1930.
Archevêque (Vilmorin 1911).A brilliant variety of French origin.  S. rich violet-purple, F. bright crimson-purple./ A small flower,but very rich. Rather dwarf. Early

Rainbow Fragments, A Garden Book of the Iris, J.Marion Shull, 1931.
General list of varieties.
ARCHEVEQUE (Vilmorin 1911) Rich deep red-tone purple. Fragrant.
Freedom of Bloom......Moderate to free.
Season of Bloom ........Early-Midseason
Garden Value.............Good
Flower;
Color Class.................Bicolor
Color effect Ridgway symbols...RR-V dark
Size............................Medium
Standards...................Arching
Falls...........................Drooping incurved
Substance...................Good.
Stalk;
Character...................Erect
Height........................Low
Buds per stem.............Average
Branching...... ............short high
Foliage;
Character...................Stiff and broad
Leaf Color...................glaucous blue green.
Growth.......................Vigorous with good increase

AIS Checklist 1939
ARCHEVÊQUE IB-M-B9D Vilmorin 1911
Vilmorin 1911; 1938; Quality Iris Gardens 1915; Charles Wing, 1920; G H Francis 1920;  Earl Woodward Sheets, 1928; Amos Perry 1938; Rowancroft Gardens, 1938; Charles F. Wassenberg, 1938; Brookdale Nurseries, 1929; A. B. Katkamier, 1939; Gilbert Wild & Sons,1939; AAA Journal Royal Horticultural Society  135; Commended,Royal Horticultural Society 1916.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tip and "Merci beaucoup" to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French language catalogue listings, the introduction at the top of the page and of course for sharing with you all the amazing photos of the historic Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Archevêque'.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Catherine Adam is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Catherine Adam © .

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. Copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

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French Historic Tall bearded Iris PRESIDENT PILKINGTON

 These photos are of another of Ferdinand Cayeux exquisite introductions showing an iris selected and bred for style and form. 'Président Pilkington' is such an amazing looking Iris and you can see why when it was first introduced it took the Iris world by storm. This plants provenance has been well researched, photo's are of the plant growing in France last season and is true to label. Plant foliage is moderately purple-based.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1930, Irises in France, 1930 May 25th, 26th, 27th 1930. G.L.Pilkington.
Various seedlings falling under Diverse Colour Classes.
*** 4350 President Pilkington. Colour can be described roughly as an enormous "ochracea-coerulea," of quite perfect form. Four foot high and well branched, standards smoky lavender overlaid gold. Falls flaring, lavender blue with light olive brown suffusion at haft. Beard golden. A magnificent Iris.
  
Cayeux & Le Clerc, Quai de la Mègisserie, 8, Paris. Catalog 1931.
President Pilkington (Cayeux 1931) A very large flower of excellent form and glorious blend. S. pale buff wth a faint bluish suffusion. F. wide and flaring lavender blue with a buffy yellow suffusion paling at margins and yellow veining at throat. Beard golden yellow. Certificate of Merit and Special Prize offered by the 'IRISES COMMISSION OF THE SOCIETE NATIONALE D HORTICULTURE DE FRANCE' for the three best new Irises (May 1931).

Quality Gardens, Iris, Freeport, Illinois. Iris 1933.
President Pilkington M. 46”. Very large flower and a glorious blend. Standards pale buff with faint blue suffusion. Falls wide and flaring lavender-blue with yellow buff at margin and yellow throat. A magnificent iris, vigorous and sturdy and outstanding as to color.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1933.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON Each 65c; 3 for $1.50
A very lovely pastel blend, which at one time bore the appropriate name of "Apparition". When Mr. Mead saw it blooming in France, he described the color as "a lavender-blue elephant tone", suffused with bronze. A huge flower, the stalks splendidly branched to 4 feet tall. Standards are pale buff, with faint bluish and slightly rosy cast. Falls, wide and flaring lavender blue with buffy yellow suffusion paling at the margins. Beard golden yellow.

The Longfield Iris Farm, Buffton, Indiana. Peonies, Iris, Daylilies, 1936
Pres. Pilkington (Cay 1933)   An imposing iris in size and height. S pale buff with faint blue suffusion; F wide and flaring, lavender blue with yellow buff at margin and yellow throat. A wonderful iris, vigorous and sturdy.

Carl Salbach Berkeley, California, German or Bearded Iris Catalog, 1937.
President Pilkington. This fine new blend, although generally compared to Dolly Madison, is totally distinct. Large, of bold form, well-branched, many buds to stalk, and medium tall. Standards vinaceous buff underlaid old gold, with falls of soft violet faintly edged silvery brown. The elegant dignity of this iris gives it a charm that is difficult to describe. Mid-season. 40 inch.

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Plantes 1938.
Président Pilkington (Cayeux 1931) Très grande fleur de forme superbe. Divisions supérieures buffle cliar teinté de jaune d’or. Divisions inférieures larges, bleu lavande, nuancé de jaune à la gorge. Certificat de mérite de la S.N.H.F.
 

National Iris Gardens, Beaverton, Oregon, 22nd Catalog, 1938.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON (Cayeux  1931) ML 40"
Very huge flower, being a lovely pastel blend of lavender, blue, buff, yellow and rose, with striking gold beard. Outstanding French award winner.

Oakhurst Gardens, Arcadia, California. Iris 1939. 
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON. A magnificent, large, perfectly formed flower of outstanding color. S. pure buff; F. lavender-blue. 46 in.

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue, 1939.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON. Cayeux 1931. A very large flower of excellent form and glorious blend. S. pale buff with a faint bluish suffusions. F. wide an flaring lavender blue with a buffy yellow suffusion paling at margins and yellow veining at throat, beard golden yellow. Certificate of Merit and Special Prize of the S.N.H.F. IRISES COMMISSION for the three best new Irises (May 1931)

Schreiners Iris Garden, Riverview Station, St Paul, 7, Minnesota. An iris Lovers Catalog, 1940.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON (Cayeux  1931) ML 40"
One of the largest and most exquisite of the blends. A pale crystalline buff heavily infused lavender, especially in the falls. A magnificently proportioned iris full of subtle overtones.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1947, Irises for the Beginner, N. Leslie Cave.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON (2 Votes) (Cayeux  1931) A buff lavender blend of delightful colouring. A vigorous grower with slender stems. Planted in slight shade the delicate colours hold up well. A handsome Iris.

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1951.
Président L. G. Pilkington. 
Buffle clair teinte jaune d'or et bleu lavande nuancé jaune d'or à la gorge. Coloris doux et fleur très élégante. T. Hr. 0,90m.

Revue-Horticole, 16th June, 1937.

AIS Checklist, 1939.
PRESIDENT PILKINGTON TB 40" M; S6L;  Cayeux,1931. Revue-Horticole-109 #18 page 529 16th June 1937; CM & Spec. Prize SNHF 1931: Bulletin Société Nationale d'Horticulture de France 5th Ser. 4: 307 25th June 1931.

It has to be said that over the next few years historic Iris identification will certainly be challenged and some of the varieties in established collections thought 'to be so' may perhaps become 'not to be so'. 

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tip and "Merci beaucoup" to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French language, catalogue listings, and of course for sharing with you all the amazing photos of 'Président Pilkington'.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Catherine Adam is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Catherine Adam © .

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2014 Tall Bearded Iris GRANDE COQUETTE

This is Richard Cayeux favourite introduction for 2014 and is certainly a stand out Iris with that 'let me show you a thing or two about colour' look that certainly pushes the boundaries. Its both elegant and bold. (Now who would of thought that combination was possible?)

Cayeux, La Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2014.
New 2014 varieties created by Cayeux.
GRANDE COQUETTE
Tall bearded - Late - Height :95cm
Entirely new: large flowers with pale blue standards and greenish yellow falls. Orange beards. A very unusual contrast similar in style to the standard dwarf "Real Coquette". Very attractive and easy to place in mixed borders. Late and prolific flowering. (9 buds per stem).

Don't forget to visit the Cayeux Web Site.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adams for her direction and help with the French Language.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux. 

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French Historic Tall Bearded Iris SERAPHITA

Classic form with dazzling colours that would give your garden zing and a whole lot of zang. A stylish iris that one could expect to see at Giverny, the Gardens of Claude Monet. These irises are once again becoming available for purchase from commercial growers, and I'm sure they will create a renewed interest in classic irises and be wildly popular with gardeners who appreciate real class.
Séraphîta is the title of a French novel by Honoré de Balzac published in 1834 in the 'Revue de Paris'.

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1942
Nouveautés d'Iris de mon obtention 1942-1943
Séraphîta. Divisions supérieures héliotrope fumé. Divisions inférieures étalées violet rose à grande gorge 

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1949.
Séraphîta Smoky heliotrope standards. Pinky purple falls, almost horizontal. Large yellow throat. A very fine variety. Height 2 1/2 feet.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1951, Number 122.
List of varieties of Irises from 1939 till 1949 and 1950 For the Alphabetical Iris CheckList of the A. I. S. as far as obtainable.
Remainder Irises Out of the Catalogue (English) Rene Cayeux 1949 (Abstract), Breeder F. Cayeux.
SERAPHITA Smoky heliotrope standards. Pinky purple falls. Large yellow throat. A very fine variety. M.L. Put in sale before 1948. 

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1952.
Séraphita. M. H. 1m. Superbe variété de nuance attrayante et distincte. P. héliotrope fumé, S. presque horizontales rose pourpré sur lesquelles contrastent des barbes orange vif, la fleur de forme parfaite et de bonne taille est portée par des hampes très ramifiées.

Jean Cayeux, Poilly-Lez-Gien,Loiret (France) Iris, Hemerocalles, Pivoines, 1961.
Séraphîta. M. Hauteur 1m. Hampes fines et ramifiées portant de jolies fleurs violet aniline clair teinté d'héliotrope.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière - Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lovers Catalogue, 2014.
SERAPHITA (Cayeux 1946) Tall bearded - Mid-season - size: 100cm - colour: Violet
Slender and well branched stalks carrying graceful, light aniline violet flowers. Standards are lighter and more pink. Golden yellow styles and beards. A decorative and rather long flowering variety.

AIS Checklist 1949
SERAPHITA (Cayeux 1946) TB-M-R3M

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French Language, and catalogue listings.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux © .

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French Historic Tall Bearded Iris PAILLASSE

Truly an amazing Iris with great presence. Historical + and a variety that gives an insight to just how French hybridisers  in the 20's and the 30's were so well advanced in the field of colour, size of bloom, producing flowers of world class in the classic form. I'm so glad these stylish irises that one would expect to see at Giverny, the Gardens of Claude Monet are once again becoming available for purchase from commercial growers, and I'm sure they will create a renewed interest in these classic irises and be wildly popular with gardeners.

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Plantes 1938.
Paillasse (Cayeux nouveauté 1936). Divisions supérieures jaune d'or légèrement teinté de lilas. Divisions inférieures rouge bordeaux très strié et bordé de jaune bronzé. Gros effet d'opposition de couleurs. Tardif. Haut 0m90.

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1939
Varieties my obtention put into commerce before 1937
PAILLASSE (Cayeux 1936)
S. gold yellow slightly tinted lilac. F. wine red ground quite striated and edged bronzy yellow. Strong effect of the opposition of colour, late flowering. Height 3 feet.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1951.
PAILLASSE (Cayeux) Each 40c; 3 for $1.00
A French introduction resembling in some ways the popular Marquita, but with more cinnamon-rose color in the falls and considerable of this tint blended in the standards. The ground color is deep cream. A really different Iris and a good grower and free bloomer; seldom seen.

Rene Cayeux, 124 rue Camille-Groult, Vitry-sur-Seine, près Paris, Seine. Iris Catalogue 1952.
Paillasse. T.T. Hauteur 0m70. Ce semis de Marquita est une réplique plus foncée et en possède  toutes les qualités, tout en en étant bien différente. Pétales jaune doré, sépales rouge fraise foncé bordé bronze. Très bon coloris.

Jean Cayeux, Poilly-Lez-Gien,Loiret (France) Iris Hemerocalles,Pivoines, 1961.
Paillasse. T.T. Hauteur 0m70. Ce semis de Marquita est une réplique plus foncée et en possède  toutes les qualités, tout en en étant bien différente.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière - Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lovers Catalogue, 2014.
PAILLASSE Tall bearded - Very late - size:70cm - colour:Bi-colour
A direct descendant of "Marquita" with ivory petals edged with golden yellow. Dark strawberry- red falls with a thin light bronze border. Bright yellow beards.

AIS Checklist 1939
PAILLASSE TB-MLa-Y9D (Cay.1936); Cay.1936 ; 1938; R., 1936

AIS Checklist 1949
PAILLASSE. Etc.; (Cay.1936); R., 1936 (MARQUITA X REDALGA) ;etc. (new data)

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French Language, and catalogue listings.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux © .

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2014 Tall Bearded Iris ASTANA

Heritage Irises are privileged to have been asked to feature some of the 2014 New Varieties created by Richard Cayeux.
European Irises do not always get the exposure to the English speaking media that they justly deserve so I thought 'OK, 
lets give them a plug'.
Don't forget to visit the Cayeux Web Site.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2014.
New 2014 varieties created by Cayeux.
ASTANA
Tall bearded - Mid-season - Height :85cm
Inheriting its excellent branching and numerous buds from its father, "Coup de Soleil", a pleasant medium copper-pink, slightly darker on the standards. Tangerine beards. Long flowering season and very vigorous.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adams for her direction and help with the French Language.

Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux.

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2014 Tall bearded Iris AILE VOLANTE

Heritage Irises are privileged to have been asked to feature some of the 2014 New Varieties created by Richard Cayeux. This Space Age Iris is an absolute  vivid masterpeice. 
European Irises do not always get the exposure to the English speaking media that they justly deserve so I thought 'OK' lets give them a plug.
Don't forget to visit the Cayeux Web Site.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2014.
New 2014 varieties created by Cayeux.
AILE VOLANTE
Tall bearded - Mid-season to late - Height :85cm
Bright pink standards with slight purple hues on the edges; pale pink falls with a wide magenta-coloured brim. Coral red beards lengthened by a lovely magenta spoon. A spectacular, well branched "space-age" iris much appreciated by our visitors in 2013. 8 buds on average.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adams for her direction and help with the French Language.

Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux.

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Iris Hybridiser 'Michèle Bersillon'

Michèle Bersillon with her seedling, 9920R. (Sapphire Hills X Surf Rider) 

I’ve been asked to write about who I am and how I came to be an iris breeder. . . so I’ll start with where I’m from. I was born in south-eastern Michigan,USA in 1952, and moved to France in 1986, where I have been living for the last 28 years. I only began to garden actively in the early 1990s when no one else had time to renovate a severely overgrown flowerbed containing (what else?) irises in my mother-in-law’s garden in central France. Well, as previous non-gardener, perhaps I might be forgiven for not knowing anything about irises at the time, so this may explain why we lost a number of varieties after my energetic but somewhat inexpert endeavours. This left quite a sorry-looking gap in the flowerbed and since we had the advantage of proximity to Cayeux’s iris nursery on the other side of the Loire river, we went over there to see the plants in bloom and choose a few new ones to occupy the depleted flowerbed.

This went on for a number of years. . . we happily visited Ets. Cayeux every spring, adding a few new varieties each year, learning more and more about the care that the plants require throughout the growing year as well as basic gardening techniques.
It wasn’t until 1994, during our annual visit to see the iris garden at Ets. Cayeux, that I was shown how to make a cross.  We were admiring the flowers when I noticed a man walking around in the presentation garden with a few iris blossoms and poking at some of the flowers and I said, innocently enough, (What is that man doing to those flowers ?) My husband went over to ask what he was doing and, after introducing himself as Richard Cayeux, he informed us he was making crosses on selected flowers with the pollen of the blossoms he was carrying with him and he then proceeded to show us how to make a cross.  I had no idea that just anyone could do that and hybridizing would certainly have been quite a fancy name for my first-stab effort—and of course I went home and tried it right away, just to see what would happen. I was lucky, because the cross worked, produced 16 seeds and three of them eventually came up, something of a minor miracle. They certainly weren’t great plants by any stretch of the imagination, but it was the start of something.

I didn’t make any more crosses until 1997, as after the first plants came up, we moved across the country and were obliged to live in an apartment in Nancy (north-eastern France) for four years---the young irises also had less than ideal living conditions, since they were confined to their pots---but I rented a piece of land behind my mother-in-law’s garden in central France and began actively hybridizing, bringing the seedlings along in the eastern part of the country, hauling them all the way down to central France and then planting them out and cultivating them over 400 kilometers away from our home residence! We finally moved out to the countryside in eastern France, but unfortunately our soil there was certainly not conducive to iris cultivation, since it is heavy soil that holds too much humidity so I’ve continued to plant my seedlings in the garden I’ve created across the Loire river from Cayeux, dividing my time between home and iris garden.

My first iris to be introduced in the United States was 'Petit Frère' (BB) in 2007, eventually followed by 'Avant-Premère', 'Comédie Française' and 'La Part des Anges' in 2009 and 2010. 'Ecume de Mer', another of my irises, won a gold medal in the Munich International Iris Competition in 2009 and I was very pleased indeed to see 'Comme un Volcan' share the gold medal there the following year, with Richard Cayeux’s splendid iris 'Ciel et Mer', particularly since 'Comme un Volcan' is a direct descendant of one of my three very first seedlings, a second-generation descendant of 9401B (Pink Horizon X Royal Trumpeter). 'Avant-Première' won a bronze medal at Munich the year before last and one of my seedlings won a silver medal last year.  I am proud and very honoured that Ets. Cayeux decided to include my creation, 'La Part des Anges' in their catalogue last year.  

After much searching and a number of complications, I have finally found a new distributor to introduce my plants in the United States, Stout Gardens and I have plans to market more of my creations over there for their first commercial year in order to give them access to the American Iris Society’s awards. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Richard Cayeux for that very first iris-breeding lesson, something I’ll never forget and which changed my life forever. 
Michèle Bersillon 
Nevoy, France, February, 2014.

AIS Checklist 2009

AVANT-PREMIÈRE   Michèle Bersillon, Reg. 2008 Sdlg. 0554C. TB, 37" (95 cm), M;  S. and style arms blue violet; F. pale lavender; beards bright orange, white at end; slight sweet fragrance. 035B: (Coeur d’Hiver x Filardi BF-176: (Night Game x Romantic Evening)) X Fogbound. International 2009.Bronze Medal, Munich International Iris Competition, 2012; Award of Garden Commendation, 2014.

COMME UN VOLCAN  Michèle Bersillon, Reg. 2008 Sdlg. 0136A. TB, 35" (90 cm), M. S. blue violet (RHS 90B), narrow grey (N200C) border; style arms (90B), sides creamy tan (158A), darker (160B) center stripe; F. medium violet-blue (N88A), sides lighter (90B), hafts blended tan (163B); beards orange yellow (23A), very light blue at end, 3-4 cm long blue violet (90B) appendages ending in small flounce; slight sweet fragrance. Derviche X Special Feature. Stout Gardens 2012.

LA PART DES ANGES  Michèle Bersillon, Reg. 2008  Sdlg. 0423E. TB, 37" (95 cm), M;  S. blue violet (RHS N88C) at midrib paling to light blue-violet (92C) at edges; style arms (92C); F. very pale blue (lighter than 91D) aging to white; beards light blue (100D) tipped red (41B); slight sweet fragrance. Fogbound X 9920R: (Sapphire Hills x Surf Rider). International 2010.

Update 2015: Last year Michèle's iris 'Avant-Première' won an Award of Garden Commendation (AGC) a British Iris Society trail garden award which makes 'Avant-Première' now eligible to compete in the Dykes Medal Trial in Great Britain. Well done Michèle, and I am sure the whole of France send you their Congratulations.

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

Reproduction in whole or in part of this article and including photo's without the expressed written permission of Michèle Bersillon is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Michèle Bersillon © .

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