Intermediate Bearded Iris 'RASPBERRY BLUSH'

'Raspberry Blush' is a standout Intermediate Iris. The standards are a soft raspberry pink and the falls are the same with a Raspberry flush on the falls coming ⅔ the way down. Beards a beautiful raspberry orange tone. A great early flowering iris that boldly announces in your garden that the Tall Bearded Irises are on the way.It should be noted that whilst the registered height of this iris blooms is 51cm or 20 inches but it is generally accepted that it grows a little less than this. The RHS granted 'Raspberry Blush' the Award of Garden Merit and notes its height in the RHS Plant Selector,"up to 40cm or 16 inches" .
It's a 33 year old Iris that is still been sold in the current catalogues of main stream Iris nurseries idicates just how popular it is with the Gardening Public. This is unusual to say the least especially in the US of A where catalogue variety turnover is at its highest. 'Raspberry Blush' is still catalogued today by Schreiners another great indication of the high regard this iris is still held.  Awarded the Hans and Jacob Sass Medal in 1981.

Mission Bell Gardens, Mr. and Mrs.J. R. Hamblen, Roy Utah. Iris for 1976.
1976 Introductions. Intermediate Bearded;
RASPBERRY BLUSH. ML, 20". Raspberry pink with deeper toned spot in falls and beards matching spot. Ruffled, well-formed flowers on strong stalks. Pretty Karen small sib X Dove Wings. #M70-22C. HC '75. ..................... $10.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1980, Number 239.
Varietal comments from Tulsa
What You Should Have Seen, Ron Mullin.
The IBs were in full bloom for the convention, and I agree with the many who commented that Hamblen's RASPBERRY BLUSH stole the show.

Tempo Two, Barry and Lesley Blyth, East Road, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia, Season 1983-84
RASPBERRY BLUSH (Hamblen '76 USA) IB ML 20". Ruffled well formed raspberry pink with deeper toned spots below pink beards. We love this one (Pretty Karen Sib x Dove Wings) HM '77, JC '77, AM '79. Sass Medal '81..................... $7.50 

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1990, “Shorter Bearded Irises in 1990”, page 61, C.E.C. Bartlett.
Still with the older varieties 'Raspberry Blush' (Hamblen '75) gave a good account of itself. This is a sturdy and reliable performer in pink with a raspberry fall patch. The form is good although the falls tend to be a bit square and strappy. A first rate garden iris nonetheless.

AIS Checklist 1979
RASPBERRY BLUSH (M. Hamblen, R. 1975). Sdlg. M70-22C. IB 20" (51 cm) M-L. S. raspberry-pink; F. raspberry on upper half, raspberry-pink on lower half; raspberry beard. Pretty Karen sib X Dove Wings., Mission Bell 1976. HM '77, AM '79, SM '81.


Intermediate Irises are ideal for the smaller garden with borders that are narrower and require less space than what might be required for Tall Bearded Iris. Flowering earlier than the Tall bearded Irises and later than the Dwarf Iris this class of irises add a continuance to the iris bloom season. They have similar growing conditions to Tall Bearded, full sun, good drainage, and a loose root run. If the area is windy, Intermediates because of their shorter growing height (16" to 27 ½ ") can be more appropriate for the conditions.

Available in the US of A from Schreiners Iris Gardens , in the United Kingdom visitors can order from, Aulden Farms . Sold in New Zealand by The Iris Boutique

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

Read More

Historic 'IRIS GERMANICA BLACK PRINCE'

Courtesy 'THE GARDEN', 30th June, 1900.

The Garden, New and Rare Plants, June 23, 1900.
IRIS GERMANICA BLACK PRINCE
This is certainly one of the most distinct of the german or Flag Irises. We welcome it heartily as a good variety for woodland and border. The flowers are large, fragrant, and handsome in colour, with light purple standards and deep velvety falls, the broad rich yellow marking running into the depth of the flower relieved the other shades. Shown by Mr. Amos Perry, Winchmore Hill, London. Award of Merit. Royal Horticultural Society, June 19.

The Garden, June, 1900.
This is certainly one of the most distinct of the German Iris. We welcome it heartily as a good variety, the flowers are large and fragrant and handsome in colour.

Horticultural Advertiser, June, 1900.
One of the most handsome we have ever seen in this class, the falls being a rich purple almost black, with light purple standards. A profuse bloomer.

Quality Gardens, USA.
When we saw this wonderful dark blue we said, well------- dollars as a lot to pay for an Iris root. But this one is certainly a beauty. American public look out for this one at Bronx Park, New York.

Country Life, June, 1900.
Quite distinct, the flowers of sweet fragrance and boldly coloured.

The Dean lris Gardens, Moneta, California The Iris, Illustrated Catalog, 1914
NEGLECTA GROUP
The Standards in This Group Range from Lavender to Purple.
Black Prince. Standards intense deep violet-blue; Falls, velvety purple, edged lighter. Very beautiful. Stock rare.

The Gardeners Chronicle, May 28th, 1921. Irises of the Future, W. R. Dykes.
At the other end of the season something might be done towards prolonging it by using the late flowering 'Black Prince'. Seedlings of this tend to retain the late flowering habit, and there is a large dose of I.variegata blood in 'Black Prince', forms with yellow standards are sure to appear among them. It remains for the hybridiser to get rid of the stunted stem, the crowded inflorescence, and the ugly form of the flowers, with their erect, widely separated standards.

Kelways and Son, The Royal Nurseries, Langport, Somerset, England.  Catalogue of Hardy Perennials and Colour Borders  1929-30
Black Prince, one of the best, the latest to open and the deepest of all in colour; purple-blue, deep blackish purple with white markings at the throat. 2½ ft. 1/6 each.

AIS Bulletin No.6, 1922. Description of Varieties, Part I.
BLACK PRINCE 7.7 (18)
Bicolor, VR-V. (d). Perry, 1900
Brief. S. erect, lavender violet; F. velvety dark anthracene violet with narrow edge of pleroma violet;
stalk very short branched; growth weak; to 30 in.
Details. Beard short, yellow orange; haft white, closely reticulated.
Remarks. A. M. R. H.S.
Listed in America under the name of 'Black Knight', should not be confused with the form of germanica often listed under this name.

A H Burgess,Waikanae, Wellington. Irises 1927
Black Prince, A.M.R.H.S.- Deepest of all in colour. Standards purplish blue. Falls deep blackish purple with white markings at the throat. Not a good doer. Very Late - 2 ft.

AIS Checklist 1939
BLACK PRINCE IB-M-La-B3D (Perry 1900) Perry 1900; Farr 1912; Francis 1920; Wing 1920; Sheets 1928; Forbes 1938; Irisdale 1938; Wass 1938; Wild 1939; AAA 131; A.M.RHS. 1900. Shown by Perry; Horticultural Directory and Year Book, 42: 60. 1901; J.R.H.S. 25: xciii. 19 June 1900; The Garden. 57: 497. 30 June 1900, Illustrated;

 Above is the correct image of Amos Perry's 'Black Prince' published in 'The Garden' 30th June, 1900 and is referred to in the 1939 Checklist .This photo also clearly shows why W.R. Dykes described 'Black Prince' as an iris with crowded inflorescence, flowers of an ugly form, with erect, widely separated standards, he also mentioned that it was short, with stunted stem. 'Black Prince' was also reported by others as a slow grower, flowers with a  distinct contrast between the standards and the falls and a very distinct light margin on the falls which the photo shows the later two descriptions well. 

Phil Edinger stated in an recent email to me "everything circulating in the US as 'Black Prince' is 'Othello'."

I originally used photos on this post which with the help of some research I recently completed proved the iris used to be totally wrong. The images were of the variety 'Othello'.
This having to adjust ID's of Historic Irises I am sure will happen more and more as the coming deluge of old publications are digitized, which in turn will open up a treasure trove of history helping to confirm beyond doubt that we got it right, or in my case confirm that I got it wrong.


Clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Copyright Iris Hunter

Read More

Intermediate Bearded Iris "SHAMPOO"

I have very limited information regarding the 1970-80 period of median irises,( As you can see below more information has come to hand since the original post date.) and I can find nothing about the Intermediate Iris 'Shampoo,' there is no mention of it in the AIS bulletins (I own a limited collection so lacks depth for this and other periods). I also just purchased 35 American Iris Catalogues from the sixties and seventies and eighties and surprisingly there is no listings of it in them. Now I find this unusual as the Iris received an Honorable Mention 1978, Award of Merit 1980, and the Hans and Jacob Sass Medal  1984, someone must of given it a great review somewhere. It is a vigorous Iris which handles neglect and I know this is true as it was originally growing in a 'heel in' bed over by the Woolshed and that I had thought I had lifted everything and transferred to some other gardens closer to the house. I went back the the temporary 'heel in' bed  during the bloom season and there she was, pushing up through the weeds, (over at the Woolshed weeds are referred to as pasture) flowering its socks off, almost like a desperate plea, 'WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO GET YOUR ATTENTION??? THIS IS MY BEST SHOT!!!'  So its a keeper no doubt about that, and yes its another of those 'Historic Iris' with ruffling.

Cottage Gardens, Hayward, California, 1977 Catalog.
SHAMPOO  (Virignia Messick, 1977).  IB, E, 18"   Yes, a ruffled intermediate bearded of a different color.  A very ruffled bronzed gold self, with a perfect branch.  It really is the color of a popular brand shampoo, and its new to this class  (Cambodia X Gingerbread Man)  HC '76.  $10.00

Eden Road Iris Garden,Wenatchee, Washington, 1979 Catalog.
SHAMPOO (Messick '77)  E. 18 in.  (Cambodia X Gingerbread Man).  Ruffled bronzed gold self.  Should be great to cross back to TB browns.  We want to use it with Melted Chocolate.  H.M. '78.....$6.50

4~ Square Iris Gardens, Eau Claire,Wisconsin, Cold Climate Iris, 1983.
 SHAMPOO (Messick 1977) Ruffled bronze-gold self
The reason I have included this short and to the point listing is that the catalogue states 'plants are grown in a very harsh climate. Temperatures from -40°F in winter and up to 100°F in the summer. Coupled with the harsh climate is a short growing season' this would most likely indicate 'Shampoo' is a hardy iris.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1990,  “Shorter Bearded Irises in 1990”,  page 61, C.E.C. Bartlett.
Another older variety which is always good is 'Shampoo' (Messick '77). It's strange greenish khaki colour is not to everyone's taste but bud placement and flower form are impeccable. In the right place in the garden where its colour can be complementary to soft yellows, limes and greens it is superb. Needless to say its immaculate form and placement make it perfect for Shows and floral art.

IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris 'Shampoo' (V. Messick 1975)
The flowers are a colour that is difficult to describe, a rather strange greenish brown, or yellow-bronze overlaid with smears of green and grey. The petals are crystalline, and a purple-maroon flush surrounds the hafts. The flower is Scented. Height 40cm (18½ in.) Blooms early season.

AIS Checklist 1979
SHAMPOO Virginia Messick, Reg 1975, Sdlg. 68-70. IB, 18" (46 cm), E. Ruffled bronze-gold self. Cambodia X Gingerbread Man. Cottage Gardens 1977. HM 1978, AM 1980, Sass Medal 1984.

This Iris can only be purchased in New Zealand for the very reasonable price of $8.00 this season from Dublin Bay Irises ( A link is listed in the left hand column  Recommended New Zealand Iris Growers.)

A big Hat Tip to Keith Keppel for his candid observations and the above catalogue listings.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

Read More

Heirloom Intermediate Bearded Iris "RED ORCHID"

The first time this heirloom iris unfolded its early blooms at home, there were not enough superlatives to describe it. It was given to me as I. X rothschildii which apparently is one of those natural-hybrid things of pallida-variegata origin, given a specific name in error. But as much as the name on the label the plant came with held some fascination, the plant after some research proved to be 'Red Orchid'.
It has great Historic form with its hangdog falls, and gives the impression of an earlier 19th century Hybrid, this has a lot to do with its close to species pedigree, so its form is right on the money. The Sass 1934 price list calls the colour violet carmine (Ridgway colour), I myself would call 'Red Orchid' the colour of a very good port.
 Very early American Intermediate Irises mainly were results of experimental crosses that the Sass Brothers and other imaginative hybridisers made by crossing an imported dwarf form under the name 'Iris pumilla' and their selected dwarf crosses, with the tall bearded species I.trojana and I.mesopotamica and the varieties Amas and Caterina. (AIS bulletin #38  January, 1931.)
'Red Orchid' is one of eighteen Intermediate Irises registered by the Sass Brothers in the nineteen thirties and a good proportion of their intermediates proved to be rebloomers, unfortunately 'Red Orchid' is not one of them.
I recently purchased a catalogue, 'Cooleys Gardens' 1938, and on page 42 (just click on the page displayed below) under the heading "And now Indian Summer in the Iris Garden" you can see it lists 'Red Orchid' and many other Sass Brother's introductions, also listed are several introductions by Eric Nies,of Spuria breeding fame, also featured two introductions of Clint McDade of Tennessee who was recorded in the 1939 Checklist as "An Iris breeder particularly fond of Autumn-blooming Irises. Has raised some seedlings and imported many European varieties." Mr McDade was the author of the book 'Rainbow's end, or, Journeys of an iris lover, 1932 season' .

Irises grown by Robert Wayman, Bayside New York, Irises 1936.
RED ORCHID A new Sass rich red toned intermediate, the reddest of all to date. Velvety falls with deep orange beard.

Maple Road Gardens, Jacob Sass, Omaha, Nebraska, Sass Iris List 1937.
RED ORCHID (Jacob Sass, 1934)- 0ur reddest intermediate. Standards violet carmine; Falls velvety violet carmine. Dark yellow beard. 28 inches .......................... 50c

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon 1938 Catalogue

RED ORCHID Very early flowering intermediate, glowing like a coal fire in the morning and evening light. Deep red in effect, violet carmine technically, it is so recent as to be hardly known as yet but certain to be popular when the public has seen it in flower. Height 28 inches

Hill Iris & Peony Farm Lafontaine, Kansas, 1945RED ORCHID (J. Sass 1934) Very red intermediate, rich violet carmine......$0.25
(Horace Hill the owner of Hill Iris and Peony Farm was another of the early pioneers of reblooming irises.)

AIS Checklist 1939
Red Orchid IB 28" E R7D (Sass J,1934) Sass 1934; Tip Top 1938; Wass 1938; R., 1933 ((R pumila x ... ) x (DR TB seedling), HM., A.I.S 1936; Bull A.I.S. 63: 64. Oct 1936

'Cooleys Garden 1938' Catalogue page 42

As a matter of interest The Greater Omaha Iris Society has a great web site which includes information on the Sass Memorial Gardens.

Available from Woottens of Wenhaston, Suffolk, England.

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

A big Hat Tip to Phil Edinger and Mike Unser for their candid observations and discussions in this regard.

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

Read More

Intermediate Iris 'RASPBERRY ACRES'

This Intermediate Iris has a increase similar to weeds, virtually un-stoppable.This early blooming Iris has increase similar to weeds, virtually un-stoppable. It's  bloom colouring is distinctively old fashioned, reminds me of you know toile, or  if that doesn't ring a bell how about red and cream transferware! Get what I mean?? Great to grow somewhere near the front of the border.
It's pod parentage is from Jim Gibson's Award winning 1960 introduction 'Henna Stitches' described by Cooleys as 'A very bright combination of frosty white and gleaming henna-copper'.
Raspberry Acres, has an interesting pollen parent pedigree which is the seedling F4 .
Seedling F4 pod parent is Cretica a very old dainty small rose-purple form of I.pumila (a clone or natural Hybrid) that apparently was collected on the island of Crete by Atchley about 1929 and was registered by a vote of the Board of Directors of the AIS in 1952. A 32 chromosome Iris with the plª allele which gives this Iris ( Cretica) the ability take the plicata pattern of the tall bearded iris and transfer this when crossed to produce a first generation plicata in Median and Dwarf Irises, and undoubtedly is the genetic link which helps join the dots. The pollen parent of Seedling F4 is David Hall's 1951 Dykes Medal Tall Bearded Iris 'Cherie'. The most famous of all the Hall flamingo Pinks' a bright medium pink with large ruffled blooms.( a cross of sdlg.42-07 X Fantasy(from several generations of seedling involving Rameses, Dauntless, Jean Cayeux, Morocco Rose))

An iris which has a genetic History+, and in my opinion still has an interesting breeding potential for use in the median plicata field and as I have noted that it does set seed. 

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1969, Number 195.
Intermediate and Standard Dwarf Bearded, Alta Brown.
RASPBERRY ACRES (Greenlee '68), lovely white ground, raspberry-rose plicata:

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1969, Number 195.
 Flightlines. The Little Early Ones, Mildred Brizendine, Topeka, Kansas.
Of the IBs, I feel ARABI TREASURE was the best in every respect. Wilma Greenlee's come next. Her reds, INDIAN FIRE and 64-6, are outstanding. RASPBERRY ACRES and SNOW CHERRIES are red plics.

Mission Bell Gardens, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hamblen, Roy Utah. Iris for 1973
RASPBERRY ACRES. (Greenlee '68) E. 18in. White ground plicata marked with raspberry. pink, brown; beard white brown tipped. Dainty. (Henna Stitches) X (F4 Cretica x Cherie). HM'72

4~ Square Iris Gardens, Eau Claire,Wisconsin, Cold Climate Iris, 1982.
RASPBERRY ACRES. (Greenlee 1968) White ground plicata sanded raspberry-pink and brown...........................................0.79¢
The reason I have included this short and to the point listing is that the catalogue states "plants are grown in a very harsh climate. Temperatures from -40°F in winter and up to 100°F in the summer. Coupled with the harsh climate is a short growing season," this would most likely indicate 'Raspberry Acres' is a hardy iris

AIS Checklist 1969
RASPBERRY ACRES (W. Greenlee, R. 1968). Sdlg. 67-2. IB 18" E. W2RV-O. White ground plicata sanded raspberry pink and brown; white beard tipped brown. Henna Stitches X Greenlee rose-pink sdlg. (F4 Cretica x Cherie)., Greenlee 1968.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

Read More

Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Confederate Soldier'

An Historic Intermediate Iris that is in our collection is a distinctive plicata colour tone not often seen a lot in bearded Irises, well described in checklist description below as a lavender, grey, blue. Clumps up well with an abundance of bloom stalks.

Nichols Iris Gardens 1978 Median Introductions
CONFEDERATE SOLDIER IB 18" (Lucy Lee x Rococo) X Knotty Pine.
Well formed and ruffled lavender-gray-blue plicata with orange beards. Fine branching. Fertile 5-6 buds

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1990, “Shorter Bearded Irises in 1990”, page 61, C.E.C. Bartlett.
A much overlooked shorter IB is 'Confederate Soldier' (H.Nichols '74) a white ground, greyed mauve plicata which is absolutely reliable, typically with five buds per stalk and frequently more than one stalk per rhizome.

1979 AIS Checklist
CONFEDERATE SOLDIER (H. Nichols, R. 1974). Sdlg. 22115A. IB 16" (41 cm) M-L. S. lavender-grey-blue; F. white, banded lavender-grey-blue; orange and white beard. (Lucy Lee x Rococo) X Knotty Pine., Cordon Bleu 1978.

Available in the USA from International Iris

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

Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

Read More

Iris variegata 'var.Reginae'

Iris variegata 'var.Reginae', collected in Hungary in 1947 but I am most sure that this natural clone has been around many century's before the date it was collected. There must be huge amounts of these types of Irises in parts of Europe and Russia that western gardeners are still oblivious to.
Plant is about 40cm tall and the flowers size is approx. 6cm in height. Flowers just above the foliage and usually bears two or three lateral heads. Glaucous green ribbed foliage. It's one tough little plant.
Super species type for Heritage gardens.
I have no idea where this plant can be purchased from in New Zealand.

Photo copyright Iris Hunter

Read More

Intermediate Bearded Iris 'CHEERS'

If you want a dainty flowering Intermediate Iris that's White with a bit of a surprise then 'CHEERS' is for your garden. Its a tough and strong grower with bloom size comparing well with the Table Irises.Looks good with 'Spring Night' (Same size of bloom) Interesting parentage!! 'Cheers' has lots of bloom and colour with a bloom period and also in stature between the Dwarfs and Tall Bearded (41 to 70 cm 16 - 27½ inches)
If you don't own this Iris it's high time you did and soon. Hybridised by the Late Ben Hager a Notable of the modern Iris World.

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California, The Connoisseurs Catalog, 1981
CHEERS (Hager '75) Clean white with mandarin red beards. Floriferous in a clump AM 1978

1979 AIS Checklist
CHEERS (Ben Hager, R. 1974). Sdlg. IB2709TW. IB 18" (46 cm) EM. White self; mandarin red beard. (((Norah x Thisbe) x Glittering Amber) x ((((Hall 4405 x Craig 7669) x Happy Birthday) x apricot sdlg.) x Glittering Amber)) X Pink Cushion., Melrose Gardens 1975. HM 1976, AM 1978.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter
Don't forget, Click on any photo to view a larger image

Read More

Intermediate Bearded Iris 'SPRING NIGHT'

Another Black and fragrant Intermediate Iris (Starting to see a trend?)

AIS Checklist 1979
SPRING NIGHT (W. Peck, R. 1974). Sdlg. 6726. IB 23" (58 cm) M. Very dark violet self; light violet beard. Inky X Jet Black., Old Brook 1975.

Don't forget, Click on any photo to view a larger image


Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter 

******

Read More

Intermediate Bearded Historic Irises 'ARCTIC MYST' and 'BLACK WATCH'

Two Recent Historic Intermediate Irises Out today Will Just give you the checklist details and fill in a bit more information later.














ARCTIC MYST (A. Brown, R. 1964). Sdlg. M-358-4. IB 20" E, B1. Wisteria blue self, tan at haft; light yellow beard. (Snow Elf x blue sib) X Flyaway., Brown's Iris Gardens 1964. HM 1966.
Quick Note Very Fragrant











BLACK WATCH (R. Rosenfels, R. 1972). Sdlg. 684-S. IB 23" (58 cm) M. Very deep, velvety purple self; matching beard. First Night X Sable Robe., Rosenfels 1972.




Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

*******

Read More

Historic Iris 'ZUA'

ZUA, in my opinion one of the great lookers in historic irises . Bred by Mrs William Crawford, (Anna Boyd), La Porte, Indiana. In 1890 Mrs. Crawford began cultivating peonies, eventually specializing in the growing of Peonies and Irises at Crawford Gardens, publishing her first Iris catalogue in 1920.
The iris is classified as an Intermediate. Shows good increase, great fragrance, flowers handle moderate wet weather well, and is a definite talking point in our garden. A hardy plant that can handle neglect which is perhaps one of the reasons that the Iris has survived and is still growing in discerning gardens today. The 1929 and, 1939 checklist has 'ZUA' as a sport of FLORENTINA

"Zua and Sports" Jean Stevens
My attention has recently been drawn to a statement that the strange little crisped, ice-blue Iris 'Zua' is a sport of the collected iris known as I.florentina . This statement is based on the fact that the origin of Zua as given in the Checklist of all iris varieties, is that it was recorded in 1919 as a sport of I.florentina. Apparently there had been much discussion on and interest taken in 'Zua' at the time as a number of Horticultural publications referred to it, some of these being used as references to Zua's origin in the 1929 Checklist
A "sport" is a horticultural term denoting a change in the plant or part of a plant, a change of habit. growth, colour, form or what you will, that takes place vegetatively. This means that the change has taken place during cell division while the plant is in growth- not through the seeding process. The effect of sporting can be seen in the occasional familiar four standard- four fall freak which most of us have seen or the equally familiar phenomenon of a petal or part of a petal being a different colour. These sports, since they have occurred in the flower itself and not in the growth fan are lost when the flower fades.
Most kinds of flowers produce occasional sports, and some of these sports occur in the growth buds or shoots or in the case of irises in the side fans. When this happens the growth bud sport can be propagated and so the sport kept and perpetuated. Camellias, Chrysanthemums, Roses, Carnations, and a number of other flowers quite frequently produce these growth bud sports, all of which can be propagated and saved. The iris produces growth bud sports only rarely, and over the many years I have been growing irises I have seen only one instance of such sporting. This was when a yellow flowered seedling produced a fan which sent up a spike of all white flowers.

Image courtesy Mrs Crawford's Catalogue 1921

Mrs William Crawford,1602 Indiana Avenue La Porte, Indiana. Peonies, Irises and Perennials, 1921

ZUA-- Standards and Falls dainty lavender ; Standards and Falls of texture like heavy frosted crepe. Very Distinct. Fragrant .Early...............$2.00 

Lee R. Bonnewitz,Van Wert, Ohio, Peonies and Irises,1926.
ZUA (Crawford). A light colored Iris whose standards and falls are more like silk crepe than any other variety we know. The standards are white with a delicate lilac tint and the falls have a slightly deeper lilac tint with olive-cream markings at the base. Large size blooms for the 18 inch stalk which carries it..................$0.35.

Iris Fields, West La Fayette, Indiana. Iris of Quality. Surplus stock from Private Collection,1926. 
 75  ZUA  (Crawford, 1914). White self, slightly tinged lilac, crimped and crinkled like crepe paper. Absolutely different and in a class by itself. 
18 inches ............................. .50

Indian Springs Farms, Baldwinsville, New York. Iris Catalog 1926
ZUA (Crawford 1914) 7.5. An early-flowering, dwarf-growing variety with large blooms of clear white, slightly tinted lilac. S. and F. have a curiously crinkled texture like crepe paper. 12 to 18 inches. The flower is similar in color to Florentina alba but with more crinkled texture and dwarfer habits. 50 cts. each; $1.25 for 3; $4.00 per doz. 

F.X. Schreiner, St. Paul, Minnesota. An Iris Lover's Catalog with Iris map, 1930. 
A Group of Iris With Personality
Zua-One of the most interesting early Iris, lascinated, a pearly white with a lavender overlay. The whole has a crepe paper appearance.

Robert Wayman, Bayside, Long Island, New York, 1930 Catalog and also John Scheepers, 522 Fifth Ave, New York,"Beauty From Bulbs", Catalog 1931,
'ZUA' (Crawford 1914) 18 inches FRAGRANT. this variety is in a class by itself, both on account of its color, which is a uniform soft pearl grey and also on account of its creped and crinkled petals. It looks like an artificial flower made out of crepe paper. the flowers are fragrant and of good size.

Carl Salbach, Berkley, California, German or Bearded Iris Catalog 1939
Zua 
Most unusual, this pale porcelain blue iris, so light in color it approaches white,is most enchanting. The petals are crinkled like crepe paper. Not well known because it it blooms before the bulk of the iris flower, but delightful. Would be most fitting in a rockery. Very early. 14-inch.

R.E.Harrison & Co., Palmerston North, Harrisons Autumn Bulb Catalogue 1962
Bearded Iris, Named Varieties.
ZUA. Different in form and texture to any other bearded iris we have seen. The petals are heavily crinkled and of almost leathery texture. The colour is a light blue self frosty in appearance......2/6

AIS Checklist 1939
ZUA IB-E-W1 (Craw 1914) Sport of FLORENTINA

Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame has 'ZUA' growing in her well manicured Canterbury gardens. So anyone who drops in for a cup of tea at her very famous tearooms should be able to see the iris in full bloom this coming season, so stop by early spring and check them out. 'ZUA' is available from the nursery only in bags, not listed in this years catalogue.

Also available in New Zealand from Kingswood Irises 15 Railway Road, Woodlands RD1, Invercargill. Write to Marion Rutherford for their Catalogue which is on CD with some of the best Iris photos around. This iris nursery I also highly recommended!

In America 'ZUA' is available from the following, Bluebird Haven Iris Garden, Chuck Chapman Iris, Irises of Shadowood, and Wanda Rezac Iris.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

Read More