Tall Bearded Classic Iris SUMMIT

'Summit' photo taken yesterday.
Part of my program each season is to replace the older earlier photos on my Blog to portray a more accurate photo for ID which is after all the purpose for the blog, its my record of the Irises growing at home.
The photo is as the Waterson Catalogue description below and shows the rich yellow of the falls. 

Waterson Iris Garden, Wanganui, Irises 1960-61.
SUMMIT A lovely iris which, like Pinnacle, is a combination of white and yellow. The standards are the same pure white, without even a hint of cream, but the falls, instead of being primrose yellow as in 'Pinnacle', are a rich yellow. In the clump it is breathtakingly beautiful. There is an exquisite quality of beauty about this combination of white and gold which appeals both to the lover of bright colours for colour's sake and to the lover of artistic colour combinations- Summit is a tall and stately iris with widely branched stems carrying classically formed blooms.

D'Arcy Blackburn, Clifford Street, Gisborne, Bearded Iris Catalogue, 1957-1958
Summit (Stevens) A famous iris, one of the raiser's white and yellow amoenas, which has been acclaimed overseas as an outstanding iris. Tall and widely branched, with standards of pure white and falls of golden yellow, it makes a wonderful clump. Excellence substance and habits of growth. (48 inches)

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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Historic Tall Bearded Iris CLEMATIS

Is flat form of the Bearded Iris flower the archetype of all Irises?? I think the augment has an enormous amount of validity. 'CLEMATIS' is an interesting Iris which today would be celebrated as a 'Flattie', but created some controversy in the 1920's. John Wister at the time the President of the American Iris Society had very strong views regarding 'Clematis' enough to make a note to himself to "throw it out of his own garden". The American Iris Society had real straitjacket views when it came to irises that did not follow their point of view on what constituted the form and look of a bearded Iris. The publishing of the Discard List in 1931 was a extraordinary low point in the "We Know Best Iris world". 
Arthur Bliss had 35 Irises including 'Clematis' entered on the discard list.
Its not like the form of 'CLEMATIS' flowers was anything new, Peter Barr showed an red coloured form of pallida with a clematis like appearance named 'MANDRALISCAE' (Collected Italy) which was given a certificate of Commendation by the Royal Horticultural Society at Hampton Court flower show in 1903, its plum colour was also noted for crossing.
Bertrand H. Farr in 1922 also registered an Iris of similar form which he named 'JAPANESQUE' and this was also listed on the AIS 1931 Discard List. 
The Iris 'CLEMATIS' is so interesting there is more information in the following post, I have tried to keep my research as comprehensive as possible.

The Gardeners Chronicle June 14th 1919
Nursery Notes
Irises at Colchester
  A rather unusual form was seen in the variety Clematis, for instead of having a well-defined standard the segments hang down as in the falls and moreover, the standard segments have beards so that the flower must be regarded as an abnormality. The effect was that of a more regular flower than is usual in Irises, and it is from this fact that the name Clematis was given to it.

Cayeux & Le Clerc, Quai de la Mègisserie, 8, Paris. Catalog 1923.
Clematis (Bliss 1917). Special variety. The shape of the flower is more like and exceptionnally fine I. Kaempferi or a large six petalled Clematis flower. All six segments of the flower are beardless and reflexed horizontally. Colour light violet with variable veining at the base. Strong growing. Has obtained a Certificate of Merit of S.N.H.F.when shown by us on May 1922.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1923, Number 7.
Descriptions of Varieties, Part II.
CLEMATIS 78 (9)
Self, veined. VR-V. (1). Bliss, 1917
Brief. Light lavender violet, both the falls and the horizontally held standards veined darker at the haft; stalk low and well-branched-;
growth vigorous; 30 in.
Details. Styles and F. flaring; beard white.
Remarks. Not distinctive until the standards open flat forming a clematis, or rosette shaped flower. Cert. S. N. H. F., 1922-.

Treasure Oak Nursery, Mays Landing, New Jersey, Catalog of Select Iris and Peonies, 1923.
The Best and Rarest of the Iris.
7.8 CLEMATIS. (Bliss 1917.) $2.00
Clear light violet. Segments in these blooms reflex horizontally, giving it a clematis-like flower or appearing somewhat like a Japanese Iris, an effect more novel than handsome.

The Dean lris Gardens, Moneta, California. Choice Iris, Price List 1924.
Some of the More Recent Introductions of Tall Bearded Iris
Clematis (Bliss). An open flower of pale violet, base of standards and falls veined darker. Very floriferous.
Each, $2.00.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1924, Number 10.
Practical Points, R. S. Sturtevant
ABNORMAL DEVELOPMENT
Analogous development occurs in other irises when the beard is transformed into a crest or ridge, when two flowers are closely superimposed or juxtaposed, and when the standards are held horizontally and develop the beards (very rare) and haft markings of the falls. This last occurs commonly in the varieties Clematis, Rosette, and Japanesque and Dorothea, Eldouard Michel, and others tend to this formation, often it is more, a matter of poor substance: rather than actual intention.

Rainbow Iris Gardens, Farmington, Minnesota, 1925.
CLEMATIS Unique. Shaped like an exceptionally fine Japanese iris or a large six-petaled Clematis. All six segments of the flower reflect horizontally. Color light clear violet with variable veining at the base. Strong grower, free flowering and fragrant.

Lee R. Bonnewitz Catalog,Van Wert, Ohio,1926.
CLEMATIS (Bliss)
S. deep lavender; F. deep lavender-purple with white reticulations at the base. Yellow beard. Strong growing, free flowering and fragrant. This variety has very much the form of the intermediate variety, Dorothea. Although it is an English Iris, it received an Award of Merit at the International Iris Show in Paris three years ago, but I am not altogether sure it deserved this high honor. It does, however, resemble the Clematis after which it is named.

American Iris Society
Discard List 1931.
BEARDED IRISES
Compiled by J. E,.Hill and E. A. S. Peckham
Explanatory Note
The varieties of Bearded Irises marked with the sign, $, in the Alphabetical Iris Check List 1929 as extinct or superseded, together with numerous additions, are named in this list.
The order of presentation, i.e., varietal name, class and authority for the name, and the abbreviations, are those used in the Check List to which the reader is referred for more complete information.
The classes in the Bearded group are abbreviated thus:
DB: Dwarf bearded.
IB : Intermediate bearded.
MB : Miscellaneous bearded. Hybrids between the species of the sections Oncocyclus, Regalia, and Evansia, and the species of the group Pogoniris.
TB: Tall bearded.
Care should be used in the application of the list. Of two varieties which have the same name only one may have been discarded. It is for this reason that the authority for the name is given. For example: Princess Beatrice - TB - Barr, is retained, Princess Beatrice - TB - Sal., a white blue feathered variety, is discarded; Fairy - TB - Ken., is retained, Fairy TB - Cap., is discarded, etc. It is hoped that the reasons for the preparation of the list will be respected and that ultimately discarded irises will not be grown.
Clematis-TB-Bliss

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1932, Number 43.
ARTHUR JOHN BLISS
Irises Raised or Introduced by A. J. Bliss, by E. A. S. Peckham.
CLEMATIS caused much discussion because of its peculiar flat form and Mr. Bliss had to come to its defence as he was criticised for allowing it to be introduced. The color was a very clean, clear blue, much more a real blue than was the case in iris as known then and it made a good mass in the garden and so it had its defender, but the sticklers, for a particular form in irises were irate and said it was a cripple in exactly the same manner as discussion raged over BRANDYWINE, some upholding it for its blueness, others damning it because of its bad habit of having extra parts and trying to "go double." I do not mean that CLEMATIS had a doubling habit but the standards lying flat as they do gave an appearance not unlike the kaempferi hybrids we know as. "Japanese" iris.

A H. Burgess and Son, Iris Specialists, Waikanae, Wellington. 1936 Irises.
CLEMATIS - The shape of the flower is like a six petalled Clematis. Standards and Falls reflex horizontally. Colour, light clear blue, veined at base. Strong growing and fragrant. Mid-season.. 2ft. 

AIS Checklist 1939
CLEMATIS  TB-M-B3M (Bliss, 1917) Wallace 1917, Garden Chronicle 14th June 1919; John Scheepers Inc, 1920; Lee Bonnewitz, 1920; Earl Woodward Sheets, 1928; The Garden 85: 304. 18th June 1921; Novato Nursuries, 1933; Buccleuch Nursuries,1938; AAA Journal Royal Horticultural Society  137;
(CORDELIA X PRINCESS BEATRICE) , C.M., S.N.H.F. 1922; Journal Société Nationale d'Horticulture de France. 23; 218, June 1922; $ 

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Major Hat Tip to Anne Milner for her amazing photo's and catalogue listings.
For more on Arthur Bliss Irises be sure to visit Anne Milner's National Collection of Arthur Bliss Irises web site. Listed in the above 'International Iris Links tab.

Reproduction in whole or in part of these photo's without the expressed written permission of Anne Milner is strictly prohibited.
Photo credits and copyright Anne Milner and Bliss Irises © .

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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Classic Tall Bearded Iris MYSTIC MELODY

Stevens Bros. Bastia Hill, Wanganui. Irises 1951-52 Catalogue.
Novelties 1951-52
MYSTIC MELODY (Stevens)
Proud as we are to have raised Pinnacle and Summit with their sensational and wholly new colour combination,we are equally proud to have raised this less sensational but no less lovely iris. Mystic Melody is a sister seedling of Summit, and while the contrast between the standards and falls is as great, the sharpness of the contrast has been muted and softened by the smooth cream standards and the richer deep gold of the falls. This beautiful mellow quality is intensified by the softer outline of Mystic Melody’s form, which surrenders the dignity of the classic shape for the charm of gentle ruffling. Though the flowers are really large, one is not conscious of their size owing to perfect proportions, and to the smooth purity of the cream and warm rich gold colour. If we were given the choice of one iris, and only one for our garden this lovely iris would be our selection. It has the ethereal beauty of the pale blues, the brightness of the gold’s, the grandeur of the richer colours, and the purity of the finest white iris, and no other iris we have seen possesses all these attributes. We have often been asked which is our favourite iris, and we have not been able to answer the question. But here we have found it, and it is Mystic Melody.

Courtesy Schreiner's Iris Lovers Catalog 1958. 

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1952.
MYSTIC MELODY M-L 39” This sister seedling to Summit though less striking, is not less glamorous, indeed there is a haunting loveliness about the butter yellow of the enamelled sun-drenched falls a the luminous, shimmering cream of the silken moonlight standards that weaves a spell over the beholder and leaves him rapt. Picture this iris with four open blooms may suggest a bunchiness which in fact does not exist, as the branching starts 8 inches from the ground. If you must chose between this and Summit I would say; If you are a breeder, buy Summit, if a fancier buy Mystic Melody. But if you can 'Buy Both', for each is a distinct and outstanding iris in its own right. HM 52

The Iris Year Book 1952.
Iris Travels in 1952, Mr Harold W. Knowlton.
People who think Pinnacle a trifle coarse can find a beautiful refined yellow bitone in Mrs. Stevens' Mystic Melody.

Fleur de Lis Gardens, Sioux City, Iowa. 1953 Catalog.
MYSTIC MELODY (Stevens) TB 40" M.
Another new bitone, this has rich cream standards, smooth butter yellow falls' Semi-flaring form. HM 1952

The Iris Year Book 1953
Progress in New Zealand, D'Arcy Blackburn.
In creating Mystic Melody, introduced in 1951, Mrs, Stevens has given us a still more finished flower but this time in a pattern of cream and gold. It, too, grows strongly and seems assured of a place in our gardens for many year to come.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1953, Number 128.
Random Comment.Don Waters, Ohio.
Mystic Melody is very fine both in form of flower and stalk-a refreshing yellow and cream bicolor with much more intensity of color than Pinnacle. In my opinion it is better in every respect than Summit in which I was somewhat disappointed.

Iris Society Year Book 1953 (British Iris Society)
Award to Mrs Stevens 1953 Foster Memorial Plaque, NLC.
One of her latest has perhaps been overshadowed by Pinnacle but it is my favourite, and, I believe her’s: Mystic Melody is from white and yellow amoena breeding but is not so definitely contrasted,the standards being cream and the falls golden yellow, very smooth and gently waved at the edges.It flowers late but very freely, and is good in all ways.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1954, Number 135.
Report and Varietal Comments From Region Three, Mrs. Wallace J. White .
Amoenas and near Amoenas
Mystic Melody - cream standards, butter yellow falls. Lovely.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1954, Number 135.
Report and Varietal Comments From Region 5, Ralph E. Lewis.
I saw Summit for the first time. It is much more striking than Pinnacle, but I still like Mystic Melody the best of these three.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1954, Number 135.
Report and Varietal Comment- Joplin Area, Mrs James A. Sapp, Mo.
Mystic Melody - Most outstanding  of the Stevens iris. Superior to Pinnacle or Summit in our garden.

Lyon Iris Garden, Van Nuys, California. Lyon's Irisland, Iris and Hemerocallis, 1955 Catalog.
MYSTIC MELODY (Stevens, 1951)
This is a sister to Summit. While there is not as much color contrast in Mystic Melody as there is in Summit, we think the form is better, and the petals broader. The enamelled butter-yellow falls create a "melody of sweet music" with the standards of soft cream. An impressive iris. 39" Mid-Late. Honorable Mention 1951.

Eden Road Iris Garden, Wenatchee, Washington. 1956.
Mystic Melody (Stevens) M. 39in. ((Fair Elaine) x ((Lagos) X (Gudrun x Sdlg.)))
Creams standards, and rich butter yellow falls are vet y contrasty. The medium sized flowers are of flaring form, charming and outstanding.

D'Arcy Blackburn 14 Clifford Street, Gisborne. Bearded Irises 1957-1958.
Mystic Melody (Stevens)
With cream standards and butter yellow falls. this sister seedling of Summit has received the Award of Merit of the American Iris Society. Distinct and outstanding and a favourite of the raiser, Mrs. Stevens.  AM '55 (42 inches)

The Iris Year Book 1957
The Iris Show, N. Leslie Cave.
Among the Trade Stands, Waterers put up their annual display. There were a number of New Zealand  irises and I once again admired the refreshing appearance of Mrs. Stevens' trio, Pinnacle,Summit and Mystic Melody.The latter has creamy standards and golden yellow falls, and like Pinnacle is a very good iris; unlike many pampered new irises they grow vigorously and flower freely, apparently a rather vulgar trait these days

Easy Breeze Gardens, Yakima,Washington. Irises 1957.
Mystic Melody (Stevens '51) This has cream standards, and butter yellow falls. Flaring form, nice contrast.

Edenwald Gardens Vincennes, Indiana. Iris, Summer and Fall 1959.
MYSTIC MELODY (Stevens)
Sister to Summit, and although not as contrasty, may prove to be the better. Standards are cream and Falls butter yellow. A lovely Iris.

Waterson's Iris Gardens, Wanganui. Irises 1960-1961
MYSTIC MELODY (Stevens)
 Mystic Melody is a sister seedling of Summit and while the contrast between the standards is as great, the sharpness of the contrast has been muted and softened by the smooth cream standards and the richer deep gold of the falls. This beautiful mellow quality has been intensified by the softer outline of Mystic Melody's form which surrenders the dignity of the classic shape for the charm of a gentle ruffling. Though the flowers are really large, one is not conscious of their size owing to their perfect proportions, and to the smooth purity of the cream and warm rich gold colour. A.M., A.I.S., 1955. 3½ft.

Longs Gardens, Boulder, Colorado. Summer and Fall 1967.
Longs Mile High Quality Iris
Mystic Melody (Stevens) M. 39in.
Cream standards and butter yellow falls combine to make this a very lovely iris. HM '52, AM '55

New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2014
MYSTIC MELODY  Mrs J. Stevens, Reg., 1949.   Sdlg. 9/T192.  TB, 42″ -48″, M, Y6D. S. creamy white. F. Deep rich gold. Orange beard. Falls to small for standards. 3½ - 4ft.; Description J Stevens Studbook notes,‘1947 flowering’; ((Fair Elaine) x ((Lagos) X (Gudrun x Sdlg.))) Novelties' Stevens Bros 1951-52. Schreiners 1951, HM 1952 AIS, AM 1955 AIS.

It is a privilege to grow Mystic Melody at home and very pleased to have it in my collection. It is a very vigorous grower and flowers freely, shows good Purple bottom foliage (PBF).

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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Historic Tall bearded Iris QUEEN OF MAY

Attributed to John Salter and in the previous post Peter Barr listed 'Queen of May' in his 1874 collection, so I just had to pull some information together to highlight one of the great treasures and possibly one of the great natural hybrid's of the pallida line. It was Milan Blazek who stimulated my interest in this Iris when many years ago we discussed his trip to Yugoslavia to see the vista of natural iris hybrids growing wild. (I must write to Milan to see if he could send the photo of a basket of his pickings of 'Wild Irises') This was a similar journey that William Dykes made in April 1913, and he wrote about his finds titled 'A Dalmatian Iris Hunt' which was published in the Garden Chronicle in 1913. I have always remembered the passage were Dykes found a cliff in an area he called 'the Ombla' in a limestone formation high above a river facing south-west which was covered with wild bearded iris plants, and observed some irises were almost, if not quite, as pink as 'Queen of May'.
 
The Garden, 29th August, 1874.
Bearded Iris (I.barbata) Commonly called German Iris, Peter Barr.
I. pallida (Reich.). - Standards, dark lavender, passing to light lavender ; falls, purple, passing to light purple.
Queen of May. - Standards and falls, rose-lilac.

Laurel Hill Nurseries, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Select List new Hardy Alpine Iris, 1903.
Extra Fine Varieties-of Iris Germanica.
Queen of May, a most delicate self rose pink.

Garden Life, April 2nd, 1910. Irises for Amateurs.
An interview with Mr. W.R. Dykes. 'The most Beautiful Flags'.
The best pinks are Queen of May and Her Majesty.

Choice Flower Seeds, Miss Emma V. White; 3010 Aldrich Avenue South,Minneapolis, Minnesota.1914
Iris, The Poor Man's Orchid, Iris Germanica,(Tall Bearded Iris).
QUEEN OF MAY. Soft rose lilac, almost pink, a color rare among Irises. Medium.

Farr's Hardy Plant Specialities, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Fifth Edition Season of 1915 and 1916.
Iris Germanica—Pallida Section
The Pallida varieties are all tall, strong growers, with very wide foliage, highly ornamental at all times. They have the largest flowers of all, and are very sweet-scented, with the fragrance of orange blossoms.Very handsome shades of blue, lavender and purple.
QUEEN OF MAY. A lovely soft rose-lilac, almost pink; beautiful. 32 in.

The Dean lris Gardens, Moneta, California.The Iris 1914.
PALLIDA GROUP. There are some very choice varieties found in this group, with their delicate opaline colors. There are the lighter tints of blue, bluelilac, lavender, rose-lilac, mauve and lavender-purple, as also the darker shades. Most of them have large flowers with tall flowering stems. The plants make a fine appearance with their tall, broad foliage. The flowers are very fragrant.
Queen of May. Soft rose-lilac. Very beautiful. 32 inches.

N. A. Hallauer. Webster, New York. Select List 1918
Queen of May Soft rose lilac, almost pink.

The Gardeners Chronicle, September 10th, 1921. Home Correspondence, Unusual forms of Iris flowers
 I cannot help thinking that Mr. Weathers (see p. 85) will find that the experience of most growers is not the same as his with regard to unusual forms of Iris flowers. At any rate, my experience has been that among the hybrid bearded Irises flowers with two, four, or five parts instead of the normal three are extremely common The well-known Queen of May is a constant offender in producing four-sided flowers, and among seedling Pallidas it is not at all unusual to obtain a plant which is apt to produce flowers in which all the petals drop and appear to be fails. The worst instance that I have known of this multiplication or deformity of the parts was a flower of the plant usually known as Iris sisyrinchium which had no fewer than ten falls.
W. R. Dykes.

Les Iris Cultivés,  Actes et Comptes-Rendus de la 1re Conférence Internationale des Iris tenue à Paris en 1922
choix de 100 variétés.
Queen of May (Reine de Mai) (Salter avant 1859). Rose clair.

The Longfield Iris Farm, Bluffton, Indiana. 1923 Supplement to 1922 Catalogue
7.4 Queen of May ( 1859) PYC  30 in. .25c
It should be noted 'PYC' is from the Longfield Iris Farm classification written by Paul Cook and he described this as "a brief but somewhat detailed color description may be given of any variety by taking in their descending order the letters designating the main color group and subgroup or groups within which such variety falls";
In this case, PYC describes Queen of May as a concolorous blend in which pink predominates.
Group: P. Pink
C. Concolorous (Lohengrin)
F. Bicolored (Windham)
Y. Blended with yellow

C. Concolorous blend.[Ref 1]

F. Bicolored blends (Her Majesty)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

A.H.Burgess & Son, Waikanae, Wellington. Bearded Flag Irises 1924
QUEEN OF MAY.  Standards lilac; Falls Purplish rose. Very Handsome. 2½ft. 2/-

Vilmorin Andrieux & Cie, 4 Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris (1er), Plantes 1925.
Iris Vivaces Hybrides (Iris des Jardins)
Série Générale
219 Queen of May. Demi-hâtif. Toutes les divisions d'un beau rose clair légérement lilacé ; coloris unique ; robuste et florifére.

Cornell Extension Bulletin 112, 1925.
Bearded Iris A perennial suited to all Gardens. Austin W.W. Sand.
Queen of May (Salter 1859). Color effect a reddish phlox purple veined self. Standards light phlox purple to brighter Chinese violet. Falls reddish phlox purple, veined brownish red of the lighter outer haft. The beard is fine, rather sparse, yellow, and orange tipped at the base. The purplish styles bronze at the edge. The plant is of moderately vigorous growth and has medium yellowish-green foliage. The moderately tall, high-branched flowering stalks are freely produced and well furnished with good-sized, sweet-scented blossoms. This is an older sort, outstanding for its pink color mass. Rating 74.

Lee R. Bonnewitz Catalog,Van Wert, Ohio,1926.
QUEEN OF MAY. (Salter)
A light lilac-pink variety which is very popular in the middle west.
Two rhizomes at 30c each ; five or more rhizomes at 25c each.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1923, Number 7.
Description of Varieties, Part II.
QUEEN OF MAY 74 (22)
Self, V-R. (m). Salter, 1859
Brief. Rose to lizeran purple; stalk short and high branched; growth vigorous; 33 in.
Details. Very fragrant; Standards arched; Falls drooping; haft white reticulated magenta.
Remarks. Probably the, parent of many of the modern "pinks" but it does not carry its hue at all generally.

AIS 1939 Checklist
Queen of May, TB M R7L (Salter, before 1859)
Floricultural Cabinet and Florist Magazine,1859; Ware 1873; Garden Chronicle 1878;Florist and Pomologist 1884; Garden Chronicle 1894; Dr Macoun, Canada; M. Van Waveren and Sons 1907; Farr, 1912; Francis, 1920; Wing, 1920; Garden Chronicle 1926; Sheets 1928; George Bunyard& Co, 1938; Ray V. Moss, 1938; Tip Top Gardens, 1938; Charles F. Wassenberg, 1938;
AM RHS 1891, Shown by Kelway. H.C. RHS 1916

Trials of Bearded Iris Royal Horticultural Society, notes  Class V c. as 'Self coloured varieties with falls and standards pale red purple. This class contains the "pink" Irises and is rapidly increasing in size, but there is room for really first class varieties in it still.No dwarf varieties appear in this class.

[Ref 1]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)
Concolorous
con·col·or·ous   adjective
Colored the same throughout.
 
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tip and "Merci beaucoup" to my good friend Catherine Adam for sharing with you all the amazing photos of 'Queen of May'.

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 article without the expressed written permission of Heritage Irises  is strictly prohibited.

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Historic Iris listings CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS CATALOG 1914

CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS

MISS EMMA V. WHITE

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

I R I S

THE POOR MAN'S ORCHID

"The Iris is the rainbow personified, a goddess who visits us in garments of indescribable splendor, whose harmonious interweaving of colors is beyond the brush of man." They are an old favorite, but in the great number of new and beautiful colorings one hardly recognizes the old "Flags" of former days. Being exceedingly hardy, requiring such little care, withal so beautiful, they should find a place in every garden.

IRIS GERMANICA (Tall Bearded Iris)
The German Iris are the hardiest and most easily cultivated. They will grow almost anywhere and in any good garden soil, but will do best in a well-drained rich loam and in full sun, though they succeed in partial shade. It is best to plant either early in the fall, or early in the spring. Plant the crown or bud two inches below the surface. Orders should be in by May 10.
In the following descriptions the upright, or standard petals, are indicated by " S " ; the falls, or drooping petals, by " F ."

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS A.
12c each; 3 for-30c; 6 for 50c; 12 for 90c.
CHALCEDONIA (also listed as Johan de Witt.) S. light mauve; F. purple heavily veined. Medium height.
FLORENTINA ALBA (Syn. Silver King). Porcelain, changing to pure white. Medium.
MADAM CHEREAU. A tall queenly flower S. and F. white, daintly edged with porcelain blue.
MARGOTIN. S. light yellow. F. yellow interlaced with magenta. Medium.
PURPLE QUEEN (also listed as Florentina Blue, German Blue, Blue Beard). Very robust, large purple flowers, very showy and imposing.
SANS SOUCI. S. canary, base reticulated dove color. F. yellow, charmingly veined and interlaced with brown fading to light maroon. Very hardy and a prolific bloomer.

GERMAN IRIS. CLASS B.
15c each; 3 for 35c; 6 for 65c; 12 for $1.25.
CELESTE. One of the purest and sweetest of flowers. S. pale blue of ultra marine cast. 'F- Light violet, edged lighter, golden beard.
CHERION. S. smoky lavender, inner petals lavender and straw. F. lilac heavily veined.
DARIUS. S. pure clear yellow. F. light violet edged with straw, charmingly veined.
GRACCHUS. S. pure lemon. F. violet, completely interwoven with delicate tracery. Medium.
QUEEN OF MAY. Soft rose lilac, almost pink, a color rare among Irises. Medium.
SAMBUCIANA BEETHOVEN. S. lilac, inner petals light yellow. F. rosy purple with orange crest. Very striking. Medium to tall.

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS C-(Extra Choice)
FAIRY. A sweet dainty flower, very fragrant. S. pure silky white, inner petals white and lavender. F. white charmingly veined. Tall. 20c; 3 for 50c.
EUGENE SUE,. S. white, inner petals white. F. violet edged white, charmingly veined. Very choice. Height 15 inches. 25c; 3 for 60c.
LADY JANE. S. light lavender, veined at the base. F. fawn color traced with heliotrope. Medium. A choice flower. 20c; 3 for 50c.
LEONIDAS. Of radiant beauty. S. purple. F. a glistening dark purple. Very handsome. Tall. 20c; 3 for 50c.
PALLIDA DALMATICA. The noblest of all the Iris family; height 3 feet, foliage broad and ornamental. Large pale blue flowers, very fragrant. 35c; 3 for 90c.
All five in Class C for $1.00.

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS D.
GERMAN IRIS, mixed, unnamed (my choice)
7c each; 3 for 20c; 6 for 35c; 12 for 50c.
GERMAN IRIS, mixed, named (my choice) 8c each; 3 for 22c; 6 for 40c; 12 for 60c.

SIBERIAN IRIS
The Siberian type is hardy as an oak and very beautiful. In bloom from June to August. Fine for cutting.
ORIENTALIS. Tall. S. violet. F. rich bluish violet. 15c.
SIBERICA (Siberian Blue). Rich blue flowers of exquisite beauty. 12c.
SIBERICA ALBA (Siberian White). Very choice white flower. 20c.
SNOW QUEEN. S. white. F. white, golden yellow at the base. A rare and beautiful flower, borne on long strong stems. 25c.
All four Siberian Irises for 65c.

JAPANESE IRIS
Orchid-like blossoms of exceeding beauty, but not quite as hardy as the German Iris. Choice mixed, 15c each; 3 for 40c; 12 for $1.50.

SPECIAL IRIS OFFERS
The Iris has been called "the rainbow personified," and certainly no other flower has a more delicate or harmonious interweaving of colors, almost beyond the brush of man to portray. Nothing will give a greater range of color for your garden, and by purchasing the different varieties you may have bloom from April until the middle of July.
Planting. German Irises succeed in partial shade, but are at their best in full sun, and will do well in any good garden soil; but the Japanese sorts like moist earth and air.

No. 1 . FOUR CHOICE IRIS
The Four for 30c. Postpaid.
Elizabeth. Very large attractive flower. S. pale lavender, shading darker; F. mauve, melting to pale blue. Medium.
Florescens. Creamy white on tall stems.
Margolin. S. clear yellow; F. yellow interlaced with magenta.
Queen of May. Soft rose lilac, almost pink; a rare color among Irises.

No. 2 . SIX CHOICE IRIS
The Six for 45c. Postpaid.
Edith. A beautiful lavender and white, with darker shadings. Medium.
Khedive. S. clouded lavender, with inner petals light lavender flecked white. F. dark lavender, orange beard. Tall,
Mad. Chereau. A great favorite; white, edged and fringed with lilac. Tall.
Orientalis. A tall growing Siberian Iris. S. violet; F. rich bluish violet.
Purple Queen, or Florentina Blue. Large, robust plant, with rich velvety purple flowers.
Sans Souci. Yellow, veined with brownish maroon; very hardy and prolific. Medium.
Price of any of the above Iris singly, 12c
each, or any 3 for 30c.
No, 3. The Two Collections for 70c, Postpaid.

AIS Checklist Entries for the above sequential catalogue order:

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS A.

CHALCEDONIA IB-B3L; (V. J. Bonnewitz 1920).

FLORENTINA ALBA (Syn. Silver King) is the species I.florentina

MADAM CHEREAU. is the iris MME. CHEREAU  TB-M-W2  (Lémon 1844)     
     
MARGOTIN is the iris *MARJOLIN TB-Y9M; (Lémon 1855-1858)

PURPLE QUEEN is PURPLE KING   IB-R1D;  (Wallich Collected 1830 Katmandu) 

SANS SOUCI. TB--M-Y9M ( attributed to Van Houtte 1854)


GERMAN IRIS. CLASS B.

CELESTE. TB-M-B1L;  (Lémon 1859) 

CHERION. is the iris CHEREAU  TB-M-S3L;  (Lémon 1844)

DARIUS. DB-MLa-Y3L; (Brown 1873)

GRACCHUS. TB-M-Y9L; (Ware 1884)

QUEEN OF MAY. TB-M-R7L ; (Salter before 1859)

SAMBUCIANA BEETHOVEN. TB-M-B7M ; (Barr 1887)


GERMAN IRIS, CLASS C-(Extra Choice)

FAIRY. TB-M-W1 ; (A. Kennicott, 1905)

*EUGENE SUE TB-M-B3L ;  (Lémon 1848)

*LADY JANE TB ; (Salter 1868)

LEONIDAS TB-M-B1M (Barr 1901)

PALLIDA DALMATICA. TB-M-B1M

Additional Irises listed only on the Sale List.

* ELIZABETH TB-R1L ; (V. J. Bonnewitz 1920)

EDITH is the iris DONNA MARIA TB-W8 ; (Lémon 1840)

KHEDIVE  TB-M-B1L ; (Barr 1884)

2006 Cumulative Check List of Siberian Irises

SIBIRICA ALBA Listed 1809 Collected SIB (dip.) (36" 9 lcm) L Barr & Sugden 1872-4: "S. white; F. mottled purple, 3' tall". Perry 1899, 1900: "Pure white, 4' tall". Wallace 1900, 1919: "White veined purple & brown". Information from Jennifer Hewitt from research from the RHS Library of old catalogs. Unknown parentage. Barr & Sugden 1872

I. sibirica Linnaeus, Carolus Listed 1753 Collected in Europe SIB-SP (dip.) (50" 120 cm) M Blue or blue-violet dark-veined flowers, 6-7cm in diameter, 2, 3, or more buds from each set of brown papery spathes; F. oblong, with a white, strongly violet-veined area in center, narrowing to a paler haft which has prominent dark veining. S. smaller, more uniformly blue-violet. Branched stems well-overtopping the narrow leaves, usually green and up to 4cm wide. Found from northern Italy eastwards through eastern Europe to Russia, west to Lake Baikal in wet meadows and damp forest margins, May to July. Dickson 1794

I. orientalis Thunberg, Carl Peter Listed 1794 Collected SIB-SP Diploid B1M. Collected in Manchuria, Korea, Japan 1794. Now classified as /. sanguinea, the ONLY AIS ACCEPTED classification. Synonyms: haematophylla; Nertchinskia; Pratensis major; Sibirica sanguinia; sibirica var. orientalis; sibirica var. sanguinea; Xiphium orientale. Unknown parentage. Macoun; Farr 1912.

SNOW QUEEN Collected By Peter Barr Listed 1900 Collected in Japan SIB (dip.) (18" 46 cm) M & re White form of /. sanguinea. Peter Barr 1900 AM: RHS: 1902

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When you need to counter that published fiction regarding San Souci and its lost name  you find yourself borrowing or buying some very interesting early American Garden plant and seed catalogues and 'Choice Flower Seeds', catalogue from 1914 is one that caught my eye.

Two things here for readers consideration.

Marketing ; A commercial garden in 1914 produces a 60 page catalogue of which only one page features Irises with only 25+ varieties, now even in 1914 its amazing marketing and it's certainly putting it out there to that important group the 'home gardeners' that I have mentioned in previous posts. 

Checklist ; Irises with a asterisks in front and in italics have been considered to be obsolete. Bloody amazing when these Irises where listed in catalogues in the 1920's yet they got written off. How many Irises were discontinued by commercial growers because the American Iris Society determined they were obsolete and by doing so the commercial growers no longer listed these irises in catalogues???

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 without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.  Copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©

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Tall Bearded Iris CASCADE

A cross of two irises attributed to Fernand Denis the pod parent was the violet rose with a white ground claw heavily striated brown purple named 'J. B. DUMAS'  and this was crossed with the very rich coloured neglecta named 'AURELLE' with its light purplish blue standards, rich luminous purple falls with a a heavy gold beard. The result of this cross was the lavender purple self  named 'Cascade'.
'Cascade' was the first iris to be catalogued by Jean and the Iris was introduced in the 1930 A.H.Burgess Irises Catalogue "as a seedling of our own raising". It continued to be listed in the Stevens Bros. catalogues until 1942. It is a terrific iris of classic style and form, grows well with high plant health. Super large flowers that last well in both garden and the vase. Have no idea and can find no clues to why this iris never made the pages of a Checklist, but because it is not registered does not mean it does not exist.

CASCADE Emily Burgess sdlg. 1/C33 TB 44" (J B Dumas X Aurelle) 

Jean Emily Burgess Breeding Notes
1929 Blooming.
Seedling 1/C33 ;  3 ft 8"; Flower 6½" Soft light purple self. Haft white vented brown. Stands up well to weather. Scented.

A H Burgess and Son Iris Specialist Waikanae Wellington. Irises 1931
Cascade This is a seedling of our own raising that was much admired by visitors to our gardens last season. It is a huge flower, measuring over six inches from the tip of the standards to the bottom of the falls. Colour is an even tone of light lavender purple : a true self ; 3½ ft................12/6

The reason why I have been hesitant  in posting this iris is the deluge of nincompoops that will find an iris that looks something like this iris and then list it on that collective madness known as Trade Me. So if you see an iris listed on Trade Me as 'Cascade' you can bet it most likely is not.

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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A NEW RACE OF HYBRID ALPINE IRISES. W. J. Caparne, Guernsey.

A NEW RACE OF HYBRID ALPINE IRISES.
The Garden Chronicle November 30th. 1901

This addition to the race of early spring flowering Irises is the result of many years of experiment in hybridising Irises, undertaken, in so far as the plants of this section of Iris is concerned, with a view to the improvement of that very promising little group of dwarf bearded Iris which are the first of all the rhizomatous Irises to bloom in the spring, and are included under the names of biflorus, Chamæiris, Olbiensis, pumila, &c., which have one or two variety names to add to their list, but were still very limited both in number and an the range of colour they presented, having nothing of the gorgeousness that the numerous varieties of tall bearded or " Flag " Irises had accustomed us to connect with the word Iris. 'This lack of variety in colour was a considerable bar to any chance of popularity they otherwise deserved — and that they did deserve it was evident from their many other qualities: their freedom in blooming, their acceptance of and delight in a windy, exposed position, where other plants could not thrive; their hardiness, and power to withstand extremes of weather, flourishing on a dry bank where grass was unhappy, and being withal, at every season of the year, neat and cheerful-looking plants, with a pleasant contrast of character in their foliage to all other plants in the border, looking after themselves for the most part, and satisfied with an occasional clean up of weeds and dead leaves, happy in the privilege of being let alone.
Questions which had to be considered at the outset were : What should be done to impart new colours, and to improve the old? Would Nature herself do it by simple intercrossing? Was the artist's pigment theory one that might be reasonably expected to act? or was the scientist with the spectrum right ? for very queer things arise from the admixture of spectrum colours to the eye of Art, and that Nature herself was perfectly independent of any calculations on the matter was evident from the way she produces brilliant scarlet, as in the Pelargonium, &c., when a pure white opaque ground is covered with a thin skin of dingy, semitransparent material which works the miracle — one could not hope to even remotely follow.

However Art stuck to its colours, and the event proved reliable, the pure whites must be set to the credit of Nature alone, and both the yellows, the purples and blues shaded with these as was expected through Art experience. Crimsons, rich yellows, and bronzes had their rudiments in plants of species which were either wholly new, or had been previously unobtainable ; and to whose aid I was, as must be surmised, entirely dependent upon the liberality, kindness, and interest of Sir Michael Foster. With these new means at hand the possibilities of success were greatly forwarded. Many things which had previously seemed hopeless became accomplished facts, though not all at once visible, for Iris raising is a matter of many years' patience, and many pleasant surprises began to arrive.

DESCRIPTION OF THESE IRISES.

To describe the Irises which are the result of this inter-crossing of species, which, as regarded their parents, hail from all the alpine and sub-alpine districts of Europe, I have ventured to call them hybrid alpine Iris. One must say that they are rhizomatous plants, with practically evergreen leaves, four or live to a tuft, thin, flat, sword or sickle-shaped, 3 or 4 inches long at flowering-time, afterwards prolonged to 6 or 8 inches, and from half an inch to 1 inch wide, growing out towards the end of the rhizome on all sides, so that the tendency of the plant is to form a circular patch. The flowers are produced in early spring, as soon as the weather breaks and will allow of growth to be made, upon stiff, succulent stalks, which enable them to remain fresh for a long time without water after being cut, and standing from 4 to 8 inches, or in the tallest, 10 inches in height. The flowers are large, often larger than the plant which produces them, and are of similar shape to the German or summer-flowering Iris, with three upright petals, the standards, which in some of the varieties, however, lay flat open, and expose the 3-petaloid styles to view; the three lower petals, or falls, are pendent, sometimes contracted and tucked in, so to speak, and they all have a more or less conspicuous white, primrose-yellow, rich orange, or blue beard.

THEIR COLOURS

In colour they range from the purest of white selfs, white standards and cream or yellow falls, white and blue, white and violet and purple, each being white, yellow or orange bearded ; primrose-yellow self, cream and canary-yellow to rich yellow, with conspicuous orange-scarlet beard ; blues from the palest porcelain to deep blue-purple, lavender, violet-purple and crimson self, and bronze and almost black. These, with many changes of smooth or folded petals, long or round, plain, unmarked, or covered with lines, dots, and tracery, make up a sufficiently varied amount of combination and change to please a fastidious taste, and all of them together maintaining a constant relay and succession of flowers from very earliest spring to the end of April or early in May. Indeed, if the weather is mild, they will begin during October, November or December to throw up fitfully one or two flowers.

AS A NEW FORCED FLOWERS.

They have proved a welcome addition to greenhouse (either slightly heated or cold) decoration, they occupy but little space in small pans or 3-inch pots ; and if in clumps larger sizes may be used, but they require very little soil whilst in pots, and are very impatient of much water until growth has well set in, so that it is best to err on the safe side.
If grown in quantity for cutting, shallow boxes are equally satisfactory. In heat they will bloom from January to the end of March ; in a cold-house they commence early in March or end of February, and continue through to April. In all cases plenty of air should be given, especially when in bloom ; for if in a close, stuffy temperature, a minute fungus besprinkles both the petals and leaves, and the remedy is, of course, ventilation. They do not make satisfactory growth in pots, pans, or boxes, and so they should be hardened off and replanted in the open ground as soon as the weather will permit, for it must be remembered that they are hardy plants, accustomed to a rigorous climate.

FOR SITUATION AND SOIL

A free, rather gritty soil is perhaps the best, and provided there is no stagnant moisture about, they are not exacting ; they have thriven in a stiff clay in a windy, exposed, and
sunburnt situation, and in ordinary garden loam. Their roots are voracious feeders, and quickly interlace in all directions where the plant is happy ; but if they get a rather dry,
sunny bank, where it is too hot and dry for most things, their growth may be much smaller, but their flowers will gain greatly in refinement. There is, in fact, no difficulty about their culture, provided that it be understood. Weeds and the shade of trees or large plants are quickly fatal to them, as is stagnant moisture; but beyond this, they are happy almost anywhere — on rockwork, as edgings, small borders, old walls, &c. ; and as they are small, bright green plants, they give an added charm to any situation they may occupy.
Their enemies, other than the conditions above stated, are chiefly the winter-slug, snails, and woodlice, the first two being very destructive. The latter is very insidious and troublesome if not looked after when the plants are grown in dry situations, as it makes its home underneath the rhizomes, or in the interior of the older decayed ones in the centre, and foods on the budding tips of the now roots just at the end of the advancing rhizome, which of course prevents its growth altogether; but these can be trapped or otherwise kept down, should they make their appearance.

In conclusion, it is hoped that they may prove useful, satisfactory, and popular plants, for there are no special cultural difficulties connected with their culture, as is the case with most of the bulbous Iris, together with the magnificent group of Oncocyclus Iris. With the new hybrids of "intermediate" Iris, which have caught the larger habit and flowers of the later, tall, bearded, summer-flowering Iris, together with many of their colours, but winch have placed themselves in time of blooming in front of I. germanica, the tall, blue flag, whose group furnishes the advance guard of summer Iris, we may have a continuous display from the earliest days of Spring, that endures without a break up to
August.

W. J. Caparne, Guernsey.

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Historic Arilbred Iris ' WITCH DOCTOR'

It has rained a lot in the past few days with very strong winds. Checking the garden this morning the arilbred 'Witch Doctor' had unwrapped itself from its large buds to show us just how good looking Arilbred Irises really are. Most likely sterile. Beautiful and mysterious form, massive buds which are nearly as interesting as the bloom itself !!!

Rainbow Hybridizing Gardens, Placerville, California.
Lloyd Austins World Famous Iris Color Guide Book, 1959.
WITCH DOCTOR (Plough, 1955) E-L 28" A new giant that will be an eye stopper in any garden for it is like an improved Conquest. Standards blue lavender with buffy tan midrib. Falls from centre down are grayed-blue-lavender with buffy tan haft and heart. Beard yellow, blue at tip. Starts early and blooms for a long season. HM 1956 JC 1957 (Cream Sdlg. X Capatola)

Marble Iris Gardens, Grandview, Washington. Iris Colorama Catalog, 1961.
WITCH DOCTOR (Plough, 1955) E-M 28 in. Unusual, large onco of grayed blue-lavender with a buffy tan haft at the heart. Has a tendency to bloom early and conitnue for several weeks. This is one of the largest Iris we grow. H.M 1956

The Aril Society International Illustrated Official Checklist 2006
WITCH DOCTOR OB- (Gordon Plough, R. 1953). Sdlg. 47-6-5. AB, EC, 28" (71 cm), EL. Lavender gray blend. TB sdlg. X Capitola. Iris Test Garden, 1955.Honorable Mention 1956, Judges Choice 1957, Clarence G. White Memorial Award,1960.

As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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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.

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Historic Tall Bearded Iris GREAT LAKES

Perhaps one of 'thee' most popular Dykes Medal Irises that became equally popular among breeders as a fertile parent. This is one of the few classic looking historic irises in the true light blue colour, grows tall and vigorous and is a must for the back of the ultimate classic Iris display. A truly restful colour that mixes well with modern irises by adding a piece of classic Iris Royalty.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1938.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938)
In our 10 years experience of introducing Iris novelties, we have never placed an Iris in commerce without having seen it.We are making the first exception in this case, for reports from Canada indicate that here, at last is the perfect blue.
"It has all the attributes of a good Iris.............. tall ( 42 inches) and well branched. Color is a light blue, about the same depth of tone as 'Shining Waters' but nearer true blue. Standards are closed, no veining at the haft, and the shape of the flower is excellent. We have been hybridising Iris ever since Vilmorin introduced Ambassadeur and Ballerine, and of many thousands raised this is the first one considered for introduction". So says Lyman Cousins, London, Ontario,the hybridizer.................................Each $10.00

Carl Salbach, Berkeley, California, Iris and Selected Seed Catalog, 1942.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938)
Clear light blue self of large size and perfect form. Tall, well branched stems. Hardy and vigorous grower. Awarded Dykes medal in 1942. Mid season. 48"

Hill Iris & Peony Farm Lafontaine, Kansas, Irises, Peonies and Hemrocallis catalog, 1945.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1942)
Dykes medal winner for 1942. Flaring, widely branched, ideal blue...................$2.00

Stevens Bros. Bastia Hill Wanganui. Irises 1947-1948 Catalogue.
Novelties 1947-48
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, Canada)
This is the famous Dykes Medallist which was raised in Canada in 1938. Very pure in it's lovely light blue,it is one of the new blues which are becoming so extremely popular in America. The flower is huge, but has such perfect form and balance that one does not feel that it is a giant. Classically formed and flared, the flower is carried with exquisite poise on well branched for foot stems. Very lovely and very blue......................25/-

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon,  Iris Lovers Catalog 1947.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) M., 40"
Winner of the Dykes Medal 1942, this is about our finest light pure blue. Of splendid mien with a pronounced flare, stiff, crispy petal texture it is strikingly fine. Fine stems of good height, well branched. Rugged and hardy, we highly recommend it. Present day pre-eminence and popularity surpass practically every other iris. 

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1949.
Bearded Irises in Blue Shades, C. P. Raffill.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins)
This Iris is one of our greatest and finest varieties in spite of the fact that it is 11 years since it was put on the market. It won the coveted Dykes medal in the USA in 1942, and has been in the first three of the American Hundred Borest Iris symposium in most years since. Constitutionally it is most vigorous, it is perfectly hardy and free flowering and thrives in most types of soil. The flowers are a shade of Cambridge blue, the falls being knitted with a darker tint. This character is a dominant one in its progeny. The flowers of great Lakes are of green substance, with perfect poise and balance.

Fairmont Gardens, Lowell, Massachusetts,Irises, Hemerocallis, Hostas, Poppies, 1950.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) M.
Clear in color, and with ideal form and carriage this iris is one of the best in the light blue class. The standards are firm and roundly domed. The falls are very flaring.  Dykes Medal in 1942. HM A.I.S. 1938, AM., A.I.S. 1940;  40in.

Tells Iris Gardens, 691 8th North, Provo, Utah, 1951 Iris Catalog and Hybridizers Handbook.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) M. (Domonion seedling X Conquistador seedling) Quality blue that has been widely used as a parent and with great success. Dykes Medal '42....................................$ .75

Lyons Iris Gardens, Van Nuys, California. Lyons Irisland, Iris and Hemerocallis for 1951
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938)
1942 Dykes Medal winner. A striking pure, clear medium light blue. One of the bluest and best. Its stately flaring form and crisp heavy texture give this Iris an above average keeping quality. Excellent in every way. Mid-season. 38"

Edenwald Gardens, Vincennes, Indiana. Iris, Summer and Fall, 1959.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) M 42"
Crisp and flaring light blue, rugged and hardy. Bold in flower and foliage, of stately height and perfect branching. Dykes Medal, 1942.

Marble Iris Gardens, Grandview, Washington. Iris Colorama Catalog, 1961.
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) M., 44"
An Iris that comes from Canada near the Great Lakes and is a hardy,tall, medium blue of very pure colour. The flowers are of perfect form, good texture and on strong, well branched stems. Winner of H.M. in 1938, A.M. in 1940, Dykes medal in 1942. Number one Iris in the A.I.S. symposium for four years and now in the Hall of Fame.

Irises, Judith M. Berrisford, Choosing your Irises.
Mid-Blue
GREAT LAKES (Cousins, 1938) 48", M.
A very popular Iris still. 'Great Lakes' is perfect in form and habit, with size and quality that make it the perfect back row plant. A healthy Iris and a fine grower.

The Tall Bearded Iris, Nicholas Moore, Chapter seven, Blue Irises.
....But the real beginning  of blues as we know them came in 1938 with the introduction of GREAT LAKES from Canada. This plant,raised by L.W. Cousins, proved a great success from the first. A magnificent grower, its flowers of mid-blue were considered blue than those of ALINE (Stern 1933), and it was of magnificent form, texture and substance. It subsequently had a great influence as a breeder...........Encouraged by the advent of GREAT LAKES, and in many cases using it as a parent, a number of American raises devoted themselves to the breeding of blues and whites ( the two usually go together), and, though the progress towards real blue has been slow, a number of great irises have been raised.

THE TALL BEARDED IRIS, Nicholas Moore, Chapter six, Yellow Irises - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2012/02/heirloom-iris-star-shine.html#sthash.gjTSqCNR.dpuf

The World of Irises, Chapter 4, Tall Bearded Irises, Keith Keppel, Melba B Hamblen.
GREAT LAKES BEGINS THE FLOOD.
The exact pedigree of Great Lakes it is not known. Registration records indicate that came from seedlings of Dominion and of Conquistador. The hybridise acknowledged that his records were incomplete and that the unrecorded portion of the pedigree could have been either named varieties or seedlings. Crusader and/or the lavender bitone Lady Foster could have been involved. Regardless of its precise lineage, Great Lakes was an important breeder. Great Lakes with Missouri yielded Chivalry for Jesse Wills- across of two Dykes medal winners had produced a third winner. Other first generation Great Lakes derivatives include, Sylvia Murray, Distance, Keane Valley, and Blue Valley, the latter two varieties serving as the basis for the famous Kenneth Smith line of blues.
Graves crossed Sensation and Gloriole; the resultant pale lavender blue Cloud Castle crossed with Purissima, produced Helen McGregor. Helen McGregor crossed with a seedling of Great Lakes and Pale Moonlight, gave Jane Phillips. Another famous blue line had began.

AIS Checklist 1939
GREAT LAKES TB-M-B1L. (Cousins,1938 ). Cooleys 1938, R. 1938, (Domonion x ............. X Conquistador x .................), HM., 1938. ☐ M.

 As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
 Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter. 

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