TALL BEARDED IRIS IRWELL JAZZ TIME

More of 'The Late Show'
I have 4-5 plants of Irwell Jazz Time and they have bloomed non stop for the last 4 weeks, and I must of taken 30 or 40 photos of it, but because of the colouration and the striations on the falls the blooms have a tendency to confuse the camera, they never seemed to look acurate but we got there in the end despite the heavy rain.

2016 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL JAZZ TIME (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg.1657/3057. TB, 30" (76 cm), E. S. lavender, purple flecked, slight purple midrib; style arms gold, purple midrib; F. cream white ground, ¾" purple plicata band; beards lemon. Parentage known.

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

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TALL BEARDED IRIS IRWELL BANDIT

More of 'The Late Show'
Ron Busch Irises are renown for their rebloom so it comes as no surprise to me that some more of his Irises are starting to poke up extra bloom stalks after last weekend's 120mm and this weeks 50mm of rain.
The above "Irwell Bandit" blooming yesterday, for me it's the second year of re-bloom. Good height (115cm-45 inch) Stalk with two branches and 12 buds on the rebloom stem, . Vigorous grower, clean purple bottom foliage.

As well as 'Irwell Bandit' over the last few weeks we have also re-blooming at home Irwell Simplicity, Irwell Jazz Time, Irwell Enchanted Circle, Irwell Morning Bright, Irwell Fancy Dragon and Irwell Playboy. I will post on the blog photos and Checklist descriptions of these in the next few weeks.

2016 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL BANDIT (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg. 1819. TB, 30" (76 cm), M, Re. Standards white flushed lavender; style arms lavender white; Falls red violet, white veining around tangerine beard, off-white edge. Parentage unknown. PBF.  The Iris Garden, 2011.

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

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THE LATE SHOW

Ron Busch's Irises never fail to amaze! This is a yet to be registered seedling of Ron's producing a vivid display in our Autumn Garden. 

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

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TALL BEARDED IRIS IRWELL SIMPLICITY

Yes I am keeping notes regarding plant habits and bud count and all the other important things but I do not have enough time to extrapolate the data to the blog at the moment.
There are about twenty 'Ron Busch Irises blooming at the moment some in different gardens in different parts of the North Island so gathering the information and taking photos are the priorities at the moment. The dots will be joined and filled in later so if you need the bud count, or information of plant health you will have to return at a later date.
I hear some call these photo's glamour shots but I like to think of them as a method to ID irises and by time I have finished 'The Ron Busch Collection' will be well documented and after-all that's the end game. So here is another of Ron Busch 2010 stunning introductions blooming at home today.

2016 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL SIMPLICITY (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg. 1764-4015. TB, 30" (76 cm), EM. S. white, yellow base; style arms white; F. white, ¾" lavender margin edged pale lemon, pale lavender spot with texture veining; beards yellow. Parentage unknown. PBF.

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 ©.
The copyright of course includes the well known Iris photo kleptomaniac in France known as 'Irisenligne' who seems to back to his bad old habits again.

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Tall Bearded Iris IRWELL CASUAL FLIRT

I knew the early blooms would include some of Ron Busch incredible catalogue.
So here is one of the early starts after a night of heavy rain.

2016 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 
IRWELL CASUAL FLIRT (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg. 1852-4044. TB, 30" (76 cm), EM. S. lemon, violet midrib; style arms old gold, wine midrib; F. rose wine plicata on white; beards bronze. Parentage unknown. The Iris Garden, 2014.

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 ©.
This of course includes the well known Iris photo kleptomaniac in France known as 'Irisenligne' who seems to back to his bad old habits again.

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris EARLY BEAUT

Hardly any iris  bloom stalks anywhere at home just yet, and it feels like it's going to be one of those 'all at once' iris seasons once nature finally makes its mind up when spring will start so the irises get an temperature 'go' signal that is consistent over a few days or weeks not an hour or so like it is currently, and that the daylight hours change from just a astronomy calculation to reality.
Even with all of these challenges it seems that our garden Tall Bearded Iris season starts these days with a couple of David Nicoll's 'Early' series Irises.
'Early Beaut' is an unusual colour tone with a pollen parent that is a well known Southern Hemisphere beauty of Barry Blyth 'Chinese Empress' that has softened the rather coarse colour tones of its famous pod parent 'Thornbird'. Double budded with good bud count, good plant health with strong plant habits.   


Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue #54, 2004-2005 Catalogue.
* EARLY BEAUT - D. Nicoll Early flowering Violet blue standards infused with green at centre, falls veined violet merging to creamy mustard edge............................$15.00

2016 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
EARLY BEAUT D.B. Nicoll, Reg., 2004. Sdlg. D98T12-l. TB, 33″, (85 cm), VE ; S. light violet blue with a light infusion of green-gold from the centre midrib; style arms light creamy mustard with a touch of violet on the lip; F. veined violet centres merging and fading to light creamy mustard edges, under surface of central midrib green; beards bright orange; slight sweet fragrance. Thornbird X Chinese Empress. Richmond Iris Gardens 2004/05.

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 ©. 
This of course includes the well known Iris photo kleptomaniac in France known as 'Irisenligne' who seems to back to his bad old habits again.

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris BEYOND RICHES

'Beyond Riches' is an iris introduced by Alison Nicoll, Richmond Iris Gardens, New Zealand, and certainly has inherited the genes from the pod parent George Shoop's 'Prince George', with an extra large dollop of added zest and wow!!
 Standards are a lilac white with a distinctive gold edge, hafts are veined leading to a solid magenta purple with a mandarin orange coloured beard. Large slightly fragrant blooms on well branched stems, that carry a upmarket sophisticated bling look with a dash of Parnell. A very nice iris with good plant health, a sister seedling to the New Zealand Dykes medal winner, 'Atavas'.

Richmond Iris Gardens, 376 Hill St., Richmond, Nelson, New Zealand
Specialist Growers and Hybridisers of Beautiful Bearded Irises Catalogue, Issue 62, 2012-13.
BEYOND RICHES: [A. Nicoll ’07] Standards, pale lilac blue with fine gold edge. Falls, Purple blend on magenta, white area around tangerine beards.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2015
BEYOND RICHES    (Alison Nicoll, R. 2007) Sdlg. A00T2-1. TB, 30" (76 cm), ML    S. light pale lilac-blue, fine gold edging; style arms lilac blue, darker lilac center, gold tips; F. rich magenta and purple blend, white area around beard, fine gold edging, gold and violet veins; beards tangerine; lightly frilled, ruffled; slight sweet fragrance. Prince George X Outrageous Fortune. Richmond 2007/08.

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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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris EARLY EMBERS

Back home for the weekend from my work in Christchurch, and this morning I walked the garden at first light one of the most enjoyable times of the day for me. Still a few weeks away yet for peak bloom which I will not be here for so it was a delight to see a New Zealand bred Iris shinning like a beacon in the garden. It's David Nicoll's 'Early Embers' which I have always had a lot of time for but only get to see it at it's best when the Nor-Westerly winds stay away in the early season.

Plant has good healthy foliage with average rhizome increase, medium size but proportional blooms, with bloom stalks height in our garden is around the 77cm (30") . Can't say I agree with the hybidisers description of the beard colour as just red its more of an orange-red. In cold weather standards can sometimes show some subtle signs of a rose purple colour that some 'iris experts' call virus flecking.  Most likely will never win an award as it is past its peak bloom by time the 'Iris Shows' come around, but it is a stand-out award winning Iris in our garden. Comes with a pedigree of Bill Maryott's stunning velvety maroon 'Cherry Glen' a great garden Tall Bearded crossed with Barry Blyths 1995 amoena  'Yes', a very early blooming TB that has long bloom season.
 'Early Embers' is  listed this year in the Nicolls 'Richmond Iris Garden 2014-2015 Catalogue' and I think it is still traded elsewhere so if you want a early blooming Tall Bearded that puts on a great show with the intermediates make sure it's on this season's Buy-It List!!.

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue #64, 2013-2014 Catalogue.
EARLY EMBERS E. Peachy apricot rose colours with a red beard.

2013 New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
EARLY EMBERS D.B. Nicoll, Reg. 2004. Sdlg. D00T6-l. TB,36" (91 cm,), E. Standards, medium peach-apricot lightly infused with rose; style arms medium apricot; Falls, medium light, apricot-tan with a rose blush merging from the centre to light tan-apricot edges; beards red. Cherry Glen X Yes. Richmond Iris Gardens 2005/06.

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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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris ERIC'S DREAM

'Eric's Dream' is a rich deep bronze-brown self with self to deep gold brown beards. It seems to have inherited its form from the pod parent 'Fort Apache' so has a 1980's reminiscent feel which is no bad thing if you are looking for an iris with a appealing '80's classic look'. Magnificent iron rod stalks hold the large blooms on well branching and bud count. Grows at home and has good plant habits making for a great clump. Bred in Gisborne by Eric Braybrook using two of Schreiner's finest so called 'red-bronze' irises, so comes with top bloodlines. A good selection and should it be fertile would make a good parent. This year I purchased another of Eric's Irises with a similar colour tone named 'Blissful Morning' and I am looking forward to its blooming.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Checklist 2013
ERIC'S DREAM Eric Braybrook, R. 2004 Sdlg. 94/14/A. TB, 31" (80 cm), M ; Standards. tan; Falls. tan and orange; beards orange; moderate fragrance. Fort Apache X Spanish Leather. HM 2003 NZIS. 

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson or Heritage Irises is strictly prohibited.

Photo credit and 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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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris MISSION SONG

Only one of the parents are known which is no big deal when the known pod parent is Schreiner's amazingly golden yellow 'Golden Ecstasy '89" which itself has parents of two of the best yellows Schreiner's ever produced 'Tut's Gold' and 'Yukon Fever' so with only a solo parent known 'Mission Song' was always likely to have a good start in life. The colour combination is nothing really new or innovated, yellow standards, white falls with a full yellow band, a similar colour combination can be found in 'Joyce Terry' (Muhlestein) or that great Dykes classic, 'Debby Rairdon' (Kuntz) but 'Misson Song' has larger blooms that are a brighter glittering yellow, White falls with yellow reverse have a nice gold bushy beard. This is a very impressive Iris, but it has to be said its no bobby dazzler when it comes to increase its a wee bit on the slow side with growth but plant health is great. I have only just started to grow irises from Eric Braybrook a relatively unknown hybridiser from Gisborne who registered his first irises in 1999, but his introductions have not been commercially available until recently, and you guessed it, no publicity about this hybridiser or his irises by that New Zealand Iris club thing, but promoting New Zealand bred Irises is probably far too radical for that conservative organisation!  

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Checklist 2013
MISSION SONG (Eric Braybrook, R. 2010) Sdlg. 94/15/A. TB, 32" (82 cm), M  S. yellow; F. white, edges yellow; beards yellow; slight fragrance. Golden Ecstasy X unknown.

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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Tall Bearded Iris IRWELL WALTZ TIME

 

 This has been an outstanding Iris for me ever since it first bloomed at home. Ruffled sunshine yellow standards that are open, and a peak on the inside revels a colour change to a diffused white. Flared and nicely ruffled falls are mahogany copper red with a bright yellow starburst pattern extending down the falls,with antique gold colouring the underside of the falls and is also the edging colour top side.  Wonderful proper proportions,and beautiful healthy deep green foliage. Taller than the registered height. Slight fragrance. A very masculine look that just calls to visitors across the garden.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Checklist 2013
IRWELL WALTZ TIME  (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg. 1882/4012. TB, 32" (81 cm), M. S. and style arms gold; F. copper red with gold influence, wide gold patch below gold beard, ½" yellow border. Parentage unknown.

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

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

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris 'IRWELL ROYAL HEIRESS'

Exciting and Explosive colours yet balanced and certainly not a cookie cutter iris. Ron Busch left the New Zealand Iris world a much more beautiful and brighter place than he found it.
Perhaps I should consider a 'New Zealand Iris of the Year Award'. I am sure I could get a garden to grow the potential winning Irises, wouldn't be that hard to purchase a nice big 'Iris of the Year Cup', and perhaps organize some prize money.Who knows perhaps the 'Iris of the Year' would feature in the Gardening Press. All they need is a great photo and a press release, and I have someone in mind other than myself to do a professional job with that! Why not!!!
Do you think as it makes perfect sense that the award could be for any 'IRIS' no matter if the Hybridiser is living or deceased........................"You may call it "nonsense" if you like, but I've heard nonsense, compared with which that would be as sensible as a dictionary!" to quote Lewis Carroll

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2013.
IRWELL ROYAL HEIRESS (Ron Busch, R. 2010). Sdlg. 1672-3132. TB, 30" (76 cm), E. S. and style arms white flushed lavender; F. red violet, white veining extending downward, tan gold edge; beards tangerine. Parentage unknown.

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

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris LACE AND VIOLETS

This is a terrific iris to grow and being New Zealand bred iris makes it just the bit more special. The multi award winning iris 'Fancy Woman' (Keppel '95) gives Lace and Violets a luminata lineage and perhaps helped with its fragrance. Laced and ruffled, the colour patterning is a marbled lavender to violet airbrushed look over blue, white in the heart of the flower, most likely a variation of a luminata-plicata. Outstanding plant habits, includes good increase, clean light green foliage. Last season this iris was listed in the 'Richmond Iris Catalogue' for $10.00 which is a great deal for such a stunning and good growing iris. Seriously you need to put this iris on this coming seasons 'Buy-It List'.

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 57, 2007-2008 Catalogue.
New Introductions
LACE AND VIOLETS  TB  [A Nicoll 2005] This lovely laced and ruffled blue/violet iris will delight you. The standards have a lavender wash over frosty pale blue and the falls a violet wash over blue. A pronounced sweet fragrance is a bonus.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2013.
LACE AND VIOLETS Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2005. Sdlg A01T9:1. TB, 31″, (80 cm), M ; S. lavender wash over frosty pale blue; style arms lavender; F. violet wash over blue with white glow around beard, hafts veined violet; beards white, yellow in throat, cream in middle; laced and ruffled; pronounced sweet fragrance. Fancy Woman x A99T10:6: (About Town x Honky Tonk Blues). Richmond Iris Gardens 2007/08.

Available in New Zealand from Richmond Iris Garden.
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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New Zealand Aril Bred iris MOUNT MELITA

 

Another quality New Zealand  Aril Bred iris from the Richmond Iris Gardens. Alison Nicoll has really made a mark with her Aril selections of late which show a good eye for form selection in this class. The colour is a self of a dark diva blue (Ridgway 196) and bloom form is good with that rounded Aril trait on 40cm stems. Once again Alison has used 'Tabriz' (Kidd,'83) as a parent but this time a cross with Paul Blacks hauntingly blue Standard Dwarf plicata 'Cubby Cheeks' ('85) for an outstanding result. Introduced in the same year as 'Magic Mushroom' another of Alisons Aril Bred Irises I grow successfully, in fact all the Arils I purchased from Richmond Iris Garden in January 2012 established themselves well in their first season and bloomed in October 2012 just 9 months after planting which is a good result, so if you want my advise give them a go.

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2008-2009
New Introductions.
MOUNT MELITA: AB [ A. Nicoll '06] Dark blue, falls have a purple wash.

New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2013
MOUNT MELITA  Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2006. Sdlg. AO2D1-7. AB (OGB-), 15″, (39cm), M-L. Dark blue self, style arms tipped purple, F. washed purple; beards lemon. Chubby Cheeks X Tabriz. Richmond Iris Gardens 2008/09

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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Jean Stevens on the raising of tangerine bearded pink amoenas Irises

Pictured above are Mrs. Jean Stevens, President of the New Zealand Iris Society and Marion Walker, President of the American Iris Society visiting the Schreiners display gardens, Salem, Oregon, May, 1956. Photo courtesy of Schreiners.


LETTERS FROM NOTED HYBRIDIZERS, Region 14 Northern California Nevada Bulletin, Fall 1959.
The Banquet at Region 14 convention in Porterville last spring was highlighted by the reading of letters from a number of nationally prominent hybridisers, all written in response to a request from W.B. Schortmann.

............During the last 10 years I have been concentrating my main breeding efforts to wards the raising of tangerine bearded pink amoenas. In the primary crosses I used yellow amoenas of the Pinnacle series lines with Pink Cameo and a pink bud break I obtain very many years ago from variegata breeding. Although I have had quite a large number of pink amoenas for several years, no single seedling has yet appealed to me as carrying all the vitues I am seeking. Those with large flowers of perfect form do not have dead white standards, and those with dead white standards and pink falls either are small or lack the tangerine beard I consider essential to make such a delicate contrast truly effective.
In 1957 a number of seedlings came so close to my ideal, however, that I feel confident that the crossing of the unrelated best cannot fail to bring the desired results. In the meantime, the 1958 crop of seedlings has flowered- from crosses made previous to the 1957 seedlings. These one generation back from the 1957 crop, surprised me with an expected progress. One seedling in particular happily opening during Harold Knowlton's visit here has dead white standards and very clear,smooth, apricot falls. On a seedling plant the flowers were not larger than the medium-sized and may not prove large enough to be worthy of naming. Two other distinctly related seedlings gave pink amoenas of large size and pleasing flared form, but were too dwarf. So the medium-size apricot amoena was crossed to these as well as to the best of the 1957 selections. Amongst other pink amoena crosses- which comprise about two thirds of my 1958 seedling crop-occurred about 20 other pink or apricots amoenas, but though I use these for further breeding they all lack at least one of the many virtues we now ask of a new Iris.

Unusual By-Products
I think it is safe to say that long continued line breeding one colour and particularly for one colour combination, produces some unusual byproducts. This has been very noticeable in my line breeding for pink amoenas. It was natural to expect an apricot amoena as a by-product, but several most unusual colours and colour combinations are emerging from pink bud amoena breeding. Possibly this is due to the fact that the yellow amoenas and the pink used in the primary crosses are most recess of characters, and the study care I have taken to avoid introducing any other bloodlines was bound to develop distinctive results other than amoenas.

Amongst my seedlings have shown up white and pastel  blue amoenas with red beards, but other unexpected developments have been strangely will Lucent pearly grey with a pinky blue cast, almost white, but shimmering with ice dust, denoting a texture as well as colour development. These all have self coloured beards.

A number development is rich clear pink standards and soft violet falls. This is lovely where the fall is clear and the colour defined. The standards are always a clear rich pink and the beard is usually tangerine or red. A strangely different pink which has a warm brown cast, making it a cocoa pink, has also appeared- sometimes as a self, and sometimes with a cream standard. Of course if these colours are to be gained in flowers of large size, Heavy substance, and perfect form, much concentrated breeding work will need to be undertaken. But the interesting point is that it is obvious that there are still a long way to go before we can say we have exhausted the possibilities of new colours, and new colour combinations, which are based within the tangerine bearded pink complex.

Must Line Breed
I should emphasise that the development of these new recessive combinations and colours have a one almighty "must" attach to them. Whoever develops any one of these new colours which are emerging must attack the problem by means of line breeding. In no other way can I see these, until recently hidden, recessives being given the attributes of first-class garden irises. There will be no shortcuts via the introduction of other irises of dominant colours- and don't forget that any orthodox colour is dominant in relation to a recessive combination.
Outside the pink amoena breeding, and amongst my brown amoena crosses, has shown up another development which should not entailed much further breeding to give a perfect flower and a new colour combination. This is an Iris with pale blue standards and rich walnut brown falls- a sort of brown neglecta. The only faults one of the seedlings has which prevents me from naming it is rather close branching and flowers which are hardly large enough. However, with a nearly related brown amoena of good size and excellent branching available for use to correct these faults it should not be too difficult to get results.
Mrs W.R.Stevens, Bastia Hill, Wanganui New Zealand.

The above insightful letter from Jean Stevens was written to be read at the Region 14 convention in Porterville, Spring 1959. Letters from noted breeders were selected by Bill Schortman. The above extract was published in the Region 14 Fall 1959 regional bulletin.

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New Zealand Bred Aril Iris MAGIC MUSHROOM

As you can read below the Catalogue introduction has as much 'hooray henry' as the Checklist description and someone must have told the writer of both to stick to the facts, or perhaps its just a display of the hybridiser's modesty . This is an iris that I purchased from a seller on 'Trade Me' last season and I am mighty glad I did. A ¼ bred oncogelia hybrid, intermediate in height strong stalks that display smallish blooms that are pleasing on the eye, blooms have a nice sheen that highlights a broken colour maroon purple flecking adding to the intensity of the mixed colours certainly draws the garden visitor towards the bloom . Strong plant growth very rounded blooms. A cross of a standard dwarf iris as the pod parent and the pollen parent is the ½ bred oncogelia hybrid  'Tabriz'  a winner of 'Clarence G. White Award'. Very Early, Blooms with the SDB but even with only first year growth has a long bloom period, and is a must see should you want your definition of beige to change. If you find it for sale on Trade Me or if you have to add it to your order from Richmond Iris Garden, Buy it! It's an exotic look you'll love.
Based purely on merit this is an iris that should be in the NZ Dykes Test Garden and would be a winner.

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2008-2009
New Introductions.
MAGIC MUSHROOM: AB ( A. Nicoll '06) Standards purple flecking over beige, falls old gold washed purple with maroon veining around beards.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2012
MAGIC MUSHROOM  Alison Nicoll, Reg.,2006. Sdlg. AO2D5-4. AB (OGB-), 17", (43cm), M ; Standards beige, purple flecking; style arms old gold, bluish centre line; Falls old gold over washed purple, maroon-red veining around gold beard. Adoring Glances X Tabriz. Richmond Iris Gardens 2008/09.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter. (Just how many New Zealand Bred Irises is that now?????)

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New Zealand Dykes Medal Winner SALUTE D'AMOUR

I purchased this Iris from Shirley Spicer when I visited her last summer at her home in Wanganui.
An all-round good garden variety, nice clean foliage with strong increase clumping up quickly 'Salute D'Amour' is a almond pink blend (RHS19D Pale Orangish Yellow) in the tradition of 'Mittagong' (Grosvenor, 1989)  but with much more clarity and strength of colour. Falls slightly darker than the standards gradually lighten in the centre just below the light yellowish pink beards (RHS27A). Good strong stalks of a average height with nice open branching that display well the frequently open multiple blooms, however the standards do concern me as they are very upright and tight and have a tendency to get stuck when trying to unfurl which is never a good look. Awarded the New Zealand Dykes Medal in 2003. Just a little bump in the road I cannot find someone who sells this iris in New Zealand today!

Waimate Iris Garden, Waimate, South Canterbury , 2006 Catalogue.
Salute D'Amour, Spicer 2003
A delightful mix of coral and light and warm pink. Beards coral. Sweet fragrance. L.

New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
SALUTE D'AMOUR Shirley Spicer, Reg., 2001. Sdlg. SS/29.  TB, 33″, (84cm), L ;  S. light pink blush; style arms soft coral pink; F. warm pink blush, soft white haft marking; beards coral; sweet fragrance.  Elysian Fields x Flirtation Waltz. Waimate Iris Garden 2006. Dykes Medal 2003 NZ.

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

'As An Aside'
The New Zealand Iris Society Checklist 2007 notes 'Salute D'Amour' was awarded the Dykes Medal in 2003, the British Iris Society Year Book 2004 confirms this date on page 108, the NZIS bulletin 165, March 2005, page 10, is an in-depth report on 'Salute D'Amour' award and the headline reads 'The New Zealand Dykes Medal 2003', but on page 32 in the same bulletin under the heading 'For Sale- Dykes Trail Gardens Irises', it states "Rhizomes of 'Salute D'Amour' the 2004 Dykes Medal winner bred by Shirley Spicer, salmond pink can be purchased for $21.00 each". Finally there is the much vaunted for its accuracy 'Iris wiki encyclopedia thing' that has 'Salute D'Amour' listed as having been awarded 'New Zealand Dykes Medal 2005'. 
What can I say??? Ready for the advanced iris aptitude test??

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New Zealand Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris HENHAM

'Henham' Noel tells me is a good growing iris. Named after grandson Henry & used part of surname.

New Zealand Hybridisers Checklist 2011
HENHAM Noel Lapham, Reg. 2011 Sdlg. 05-79/2. SDB, 11" (28 cm), E

Standards light yellow, lighter towards center; style arms white, slight lemon midrib; Falls, yellow-brown, light yellow rim; beards white, orange tips,paler at end. Zero X Yippy Skippy.

A 'Huge Hat tip' to Bev and Noel for the use of their photo. Send them an email and get their catalogue, you will be surprised the selection available.
Photo Copyright and Credit Mossburn Iris Gardens.

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New Zealand Standard Dwarf Bearded SAY SO

      More of the New Zealand Bred Standard Dwarf Bearded Irises hybridised by Noel Lapham as promised and available for sale this year from Mossburn Iris Gardens.
Noel has explained 'This iris lucky to be registered after growing it for eleven years, "SAY SO" is an interesting colour, with striking white beards'.
I am sure that an Iris that has been grown at Mossburn Gardens for eleven years has considerable merit

New Zealand Hybridisers Checklist 2011
SAY SO Noel Lapham, Reg. 2011 Sdlg. 01-F. SDB, 9" (23 cm), M
Standards dark blue violet; Falls dark blue violet, cream at hafts; beards white, tipped yellow in throat. Parentage unknown. Mossburn Iris Garden 2011.

Once again a 'Huge Hat tip' to Bev and Noel for the use of their photo.
Photo Copyright and Credit Mossburn Iris Gardens

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