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 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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Tall Bearded Iris Irwell 2012 Seedling

I just had to show you the above photo which is the end of a continuance really, but shows the real depth of Ron Busch's work.
'A richly coloured variegata which glows with life, making a beautiful clump in the garden', was the 1978 description of 'Rich Melody' and his first variegata introduced back in 1976 and the description could equally apply today to Ron's seedling displayed above. He had a long love affair with breeding variegata's and had great success in the class, with 'Rich Melody' also giving him his first win of the Begg Sheild (NZ) in 1978. This is one of many 2012 standout seedlings and is a very tall bearded iris with big orange beards. It has stolen Julie May's heart and she has suggested it be named  'Irwell Flirt', but as with all seedlings further evaluation will take place. 

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

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'omne trium perfectum'

The Latin phrase, "omne trium perfectum" everything that comes in threes is perfect, or, every set of three is complete.
With this in mind a can't think of a better way to complete this weekends posts of three chartreuse lemon lime Irises with a photo of a new seedling that had its maiden bloom 2012, from the late great Ron Busch.
We are a long way off a green chartreuse and maybe one day it will happen. Another great photo sent to share by Julie May the owner of the legendary 'The Iris Garden'. 
Have a great Weekend.

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

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Tall Bearded Iris IRWELL DANCE

 Another great photo sent to share by Julie May the owner of the legendary 'The Iris Garden'.  The late great Ron Busch was a master of the surprise and 'Irwell Dance' is no exception to this rule. This iris and 'Irwell Fancy' may be soon winging their way to overseas Test garden destinations. I have been informed by an official of the NZIS that after Ron's passing his Irises are no longer eligible to be entered in New Zealand Iris Society sanctioned test gardens for the Begg Sheild or Dykes Medal. Who would of thought!!! How flawed could the logic be?? I thought awards are won by the iris, not the hybridiser, and in many peoples opinion not just mine his passing away should not affect any of his Irises eligibility. But more on that in a month or so.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Checklist 2012
IRWELL DANCE Ron Busch, Reg., 2010. Sdlg.010. TB, 30" (76 cm), EM. S. white; style arms white tipped yellow; F. lemon yellow, white spot and shoulders veined lemon yellow; beards tangerine.  Parentage unknown. The Iris Garden 2013. H.C. 2012 (NZ)

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

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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris ATAVUS

When I first saw this iris bloom at home, my first thought was that I was having another enjoyable mid life crisis that involved visiting the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. This Iris colouration is an acquired taste and some either love it or loath it, me? I put the colours in the loud but possibly interesting file. 'Atavus' grows well, has good plant health, but its the open and somewhat chaotic form of the cream standards and the uneven ruffling on the falls lets the bloom down. Had the form of the bloom been more even on the falls and the standards controlled, coupled with the interesting colours it could have been a brilliant iris. Certainly an Iris that's impossible to take no notice of !!

Courtesy Cayeux Iris, 2013.

'Atavus' is an Iris introduced by Alison Nicoll in 2006 and is very similar to the above photo of the brand new Richard Cayeux 2013 introduction 'Un Peu Fou' which appropriately translates 'A Little Crazy' a label that could apply to both the varieties

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 58, 2008-2009 Catalogue.

ATAVUS: L [A. Nicoll '06] Cream standards with central lilac flush. Tan hafts and border with strong lilac centre.

$24.00

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2012

ATAVUS Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2006. Sdlg. A00T2-2. TB, 28″, (72 cm), ML S. cream flushed lilac in centre; style arms cream and lilac; F. strongly washed violet, tan hafts and border; beards red; flared; slight spicy fragrance. Prince George X Outrageous Fortune. Richmond 2007/08; Begg Shield 2009 (NZ) Dykes Medal 2014 (NZ).

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 Dykes Medal Winner NORMA OF IRWELL

I thought it appropriate to update the image of this iris with this new photo that was sent to share by Julie May the owner of the legendary 'The Iris Garden'. 
 Tall Bearded Iris 'Norma of Irwell' was awarded the Dykes Medal (NZ) in 2012, bred by New Zealand's wizard of Tall bearded Iris breeding, the late Mr. Ron Busch and named after Ron's lovely wife, Norma. Well substanced blooms with dark violet ruffled and slightly open standards with even darker violet slightly flared and ruffled falls that has an eye catching white area beneath the violet tipped bronze beards, oh and not forgetting the very good branching  and great plant health that we have all come to expect from the Busch breeding lines.

2012 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
NORMA OF IRWELL  Ron Busch, Reg., 2008. Sdlg. 91-200. TB, 34″, (86 cm), M. Standards and style arms deep purple; Falls, Violet purple, white around beard; Beard bronze tipped violet. (Vigilant X Edith Wolford) X ( Honky Tonk Blues X Brookside) The Iris Garden, 2008.  Dykes Medal 2012 (NZ).

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

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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 Tall Bearded Iris 'ALISON PENNEY'

A breeding combination of Jean Stevens 'Brilliant Sunrise' and Schreiner's 'Taste of Honey'. This very impressive New Zealand bred iris by Jean Collins is one of the best ever of the classic variegata type, possessing an amazing glow which gives carrying power to the flower and on first viewing has the gardener's mind planning the special place in their garden where this iris will feature. Standards are a smooth rich gold contrasted by the bold red-brown falls bordered a rich gold which in turn has the faintest red-brown outline. The rich gold striations radiating from the hafts lead the eyes towards the deeper gold beards. Silky texture, outstanding form and substance. Slight fragrance.
A stunning have to have!!

Jean Collins Iris Garden, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga.
ALISON PENNEY ML Gold standards, red brown falls, bordered gold

BayBloom Nurseries, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1996.
ALISON PENNEY. What a bright show this variety creates. Gold standards, red brown falls, bordered gold. Does well in mild climates.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
ALISON PENNEY  Mrs Jean Collins, Reg., 1979.   Sdlg. 579/1. TB, 35″, (89 cm), M.   S. gold; F. red-brown, bordered gold; yellow beard. Brilliant Sunrise X Taste of Honey. J. Collins Iris Garden 1978/79. Begg Shield 1987 (NZ).

Only available in New Zealand from The Iris Boutique this season.

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 'CABBAGES AND KINGS'

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
 "To talk of many things:
 Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
 Of Cabbages--and Kings--"
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, Lewis Carroll, 1872.

Well yes indeed the time has come to talk of 'Cabbages and Kings'.Strong purple blush in the heart of the standards reminds me a lot of 'Freedom Road' (Gordon Plough,1976), colour placement, frills, ruffles and crimping all taking direction from the Keppel genes. Strangely elegant pastel colour's have that 'painted in watercolours' effect. Standards have a tendency to open uneven which is at odds with the Falls more "finished" form. Large blooms on strong stalks with good bud count giving the plant a good length of bloom (much longer for me than just the mid season as noted in it's registration). Good plant health and reasonable increase. Will transfer this iris among the darker black and purple toned irises to display in a different landscape to see if it 'grows' on me a little more than it's done to date. It's certainly an iris that grabs your interest!

Richmond Iris Garden Catalogue, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 56, 2006-2007
New Introductions.
CABBAGES AND KINGS TB ( A Nicoll 2005) $25.00
This lovely frilled and crimped lemon has an unusual purple blush in the heart of the standards. A sweet fragrance is a bonus.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
CABBAGES AND KINGS   Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2005 Sdlg A01T5: 3. TB, 32″, (82 cm), M. Standards purple blush in centre merging to lemon at edges; style arms lemon; Falls lemon edges merging to cream centre, more intense lemon at hafts; beards lemon tipped white, gold in throat; frilled and crimped; pronounced sweet fragrance. (Knock ‘em Dead x Keppel seed, LLFBKK: 2: (Lotus Land x Fogbound)). Richmond Iris Gardens 2006/07.

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 'IRWELL COURAGE'

      "Lines" have come more to the fore recently as a new (or revised) pattern option and 'Irwell Courage' is a great example of how Ron Busch had brilliantly come to grips with this intriguing style. Tall strong stems with good branching hold well proportioned blooms with gentle honey standards that show some darker erratic virus flecking, violet orchid midribs, falls are wide in a handsome mulberry plum colour broadly edged in a softer tone, coupled with strong white striations (lines) on the upper fall which is all set off nicely with the golden bronze beard. Great bud count resulting in a excellent amount of bloom that is paced well over a long season, bracts have a gentle purple tone. Clean foliage with the added purple-based touch, plant shows strong increase. People visiting the gardens just gravitate towards it, it's a very masculine flower.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
IRWELL COURAGE  Ron Busch Reg., 2007. Sdlg. 01587-2149. TB 40″, (102cm). M ; S. lemon, red purple midrib and blush at base: style arms yellow, purple centre; F. Red-purple, ¼″ paler edge, yellow shoulders; beards bronze. (Romantic Evening x Sky Hooks) X inv. Youthful Charm, Taholah, Rococo, Lady Friend, Latin Lover, Lula Marguerite,Velvet Robe, Laurie, Pipes of Pan, Radiant Apogee, Tea Apron, Snowline, Melodrama. Amazing Iris Garden 2011

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 IRWELL TRIBUTE

IRWELL TRIBUTE is a very fine blending of old gold standards with very smart burgandy plicata on  creamy orange ground falls. Attractive sanded and dotted pattern much in the style of the great 'COLORTART' (Innerst 83). Magnificent form, substance and texture that is simply presented with only light waving, no lace or other clutter. In only one season it is already much admired in the garden for it's vigorous clean growth and the unusual color pattern. Registered as parentage unknown but I have filled in the parentage from Ron's breeding records for your information.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
IRWELL TRIBUTE  Ron Busch, Reg., 2007. Sdlg. 91-114-2. TB, 40″, (102 cm), M. S. and style arms yellow gold; F. white ground flushed gold, rose brown plicata markings; beards yellow.  (Easter Tide x Southern Potentate) X involved parentage that includes Porta Villa, Chinqupin, Majorette, Wild Apache, Youthful Charm, Radiant Apogee, Wild Ginger, Rococo, My Honeycomb. Waimate Iris Garden 2007. CM.2005 

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 AURORA LIGHTS

'Aurora Lights' a great looking plicata that you see a lot growing in the more established gardens in the Wairarapa. Key point in identification is the purple base foliage inherited from the pod parent. Nice clean foliage and robust growth. This plant has often been mislabelled  as 'Harlequin' which it does not even remotely look like but the most telling fact that eliminates it as 'Harlequin' is that it does not have the PBF trait referred to above.

Stevens Bros, Bastia Hill, Wanganui.  Irises 1949-1950 catalogue
Novelties 1949-50
AURORA LIGHTS  (Stevens)
Even those of us who are nor enamoured of the new plicatas find this one lovely. The broad and beautiful textured falls have a slight flare and ruffling, cinnamon dotted on cream velvet. The standards are a rosy bronze flushed over cream. Falls are crimson dotted on cream velvet, broad and beautifully textured and have a slight flare and ruffling. A deep gold beard enriches the whole combination. Large flowers excellent branching and good height places this in the top rank. 4ft. ....................................................................42 shillings

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
AURORA LIGHTS  Mrs J. Stevens, Reg., 1948.  Sdlg. 7/T147. TB, 48″, M, Y8M.S. rosy bronze over cream. F. cream and rosy bronze, good form, deep gold beard. 4ft.; Description J. Stevens Studbook notes,‘1946 flowering’; Plicata.  Manchuria X Tiffany. Stevens Bros 1949-50

 This photo was taken last year in a country garden I visited.
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 IRWELL ROYAL

In the year 1997 Ron Busch registered the iris 'Irwell Royal', becoming the first of many Irises to be registered by Ron with the prefix 'Irwell'. Strong and vigorous growth and plant shows good health. Full and pleasantly ruffled light purple standards sets a striking contrast to the plush velvety purple of the falls with a nicely ruffled edge. Golden bronze beards that end with a hint of amethyst complete this exquisitely coloured ensemble. Slight fragrance.

Rossmore Iris Garden, Iris catalogue 2008/2009
Standards Purple, falls rich velvet purple with bronze beards. Ruffled.

South Pacific Epiphyllums Nursery Online catalogue 2012-2013, Carol Rogerson writes;
Large ruffled flowers held well on tall strong stems, ( would be registered height or thereabouts) Strong colourings that make a real statement in the garden. Later season blooming here, wind and rain resistant, fast to increase, purple bottom foliage, in my opinion an ideal iris for more northern climates, humidity doesn’t worry it. Would look stunning in a large mass planting. Hope to offer again this year $12.00

2011 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist
IRWELL ROYAL Mr. R.W. Busch Reg., 1997. Sdlg. L10. TB. 36″, (91 cm) M. S. Purple; F. Rich velvety purple; beards bronze; ruffled, flared; slight fragrance. Parentage unknown. Irwell Iris Garden, 1997.

A Big hat tip to Carol Rogerson for her super fine photo above.

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 Carol Rogerson and Heritage Irises ©.

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