The past is never where you think you left it until you find it again

Mademoiselle Schwartz.
Photo courtesy Michèle Bersillon [Ref 1]

In summer of 1973 I received from Corinne Bromberger, Redlands, California, eight varieties originated by iris breeder Dr. Samuel Stillman Berry who, along with William Mohr and Grace Sturtevant, was one of the pioneering hybridizers in the United States. The previous year I had learned that Corinne lived immediately adjacent to the Berry property where--to my surprise--Dr. Berry still lived, spry and alert in his mid 80s. Immediately I contacted Corinne to ask if he had any of his introductions from the 1920s and 1930s still in the garden. His Mauna Loa was in a few collections as was Acropolis, but all others seemingly had vanished. Her reply stated that yes, he probably had most of his originations but that the garden was in considerable disarray and the irises had no labels. But...when they flowered he would note, "Aha, there's so-and-so." She then mentioned this to Dr. Berry who was, she said, quite touched that someone remembered his work after about thirty years out of the iris world. So the die was cast. In the meantime, Dr. B. gave Corinne a nearly complete set of his catalogs (1926-1948) as a gift of appreciation--a gift that proved to be invaluable.

Among the irises received from Dr. Berry's garden was his Canyon Mists (1926), a name I knew only from the Check List entry. Even accounts of his irises by Lena Lothrop in AIS Bulletins had neglected to mention it. His catalog description read, in part: "A very light mauve self, quite similar to Mlle. Schwartz, but has a longer season and does not fade out seriously in bright sun...." What flowered here was, indeed, a light mauve self, so I was satisfied.

Approximately thirty years later I received an assortment of rhizomes from The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens where they were trying to authenticate identities in plantings that had become considerably mixed in the years following the death of long-time director Barbara Walther. Most had names attached (true? false?) and a few were "what is it?" Among the latter appeared...Canyon Mists. At first I was surprised that such an obscure iris would have been grown at Presby, but then I realized that hybridizers in Presby's early years were solicited to contribute (and eager to do so!) their originations to the collection. I figured Dr. Berry had heeded the call.

The story continues in 2010 when Michele Bersillon in France sent me a short list of historic irises available in a last-chance sale from Lawrence Ransom, a British ex-pat who had rescued what he could from the shards of the Simonet collection. One in that list stood out: Lady Foster (M. Foster 1913). a significant garden iris and parent (sib to Caterina and Crusader) which had eluded collectors. So I told her to ask for Lady Foster, which she did; Ransom sent all his plants, which she thought would be better grown in her garden for a year before shipping to me. Thus in 2011 I received ten husky Lady Foster rhizomes. You can imagine my surprise and disappointment to discover, the next spring, that they were the same as Canyon Mists! But that made no sense whatsoever: why would such an obscure California origination be in Simonet's collection? That also called into question of "Why at Presby?" By this time I had a copy of Ridgway's book Color Standards and Nomenclature which was widely used in the States to precisely describe flower colors, and for Lady Foster the described Ridgway colors, along with a superb black and white photo in a Wallace catalog, proved this was not Lady Foster. But was it Canyon Mists? The "light mauve" of Berry's catalog description did fit, but I recalled the mention of a similarity to Mlle. Schwartz. The Ridgway color for her was "palest mauve." Close enough to suggest pursuing the Mlle. as the true identification. But the only photograph I had seen is in Les Iris Cultivees. and it didn't show enough to either rule in or rule out our iris. By this time Catherine Adam was in the discussion, having been in touch with Lawrence Ransom in her zeal to preserve, correctly identified, historic French irises, and from him and me she was aware of this puzzle. Her take was that it must be Mlle. Schwartz, but how to prove it?

In the next chapter, enter Terry Johnson to the question. The only other image of Mlle. Schwartz recorded was a note in the 1939 AIS Check List of a black and white photo in Gardening Illustrated, January 5 1929. I knew Terry had accessed old British gardening publications, so I asked if he could track down this photo. And he did, sending it with the caveat that it was a clump shot rather than closeup. Well...that is exactly what was needed: a photograph showing flowers at all angles, full stalks with branching. For my money there's no question: this iris which has traveled under the names Canyon Mists and Lady Foster actually is the seemingly lost Mlle. Schwartz--lost, but right before our eyes!

Phil Edinger, May 2016.

One of the great privileges in my iris world has always been a email from Phil Edinger, and  it was a recent email conversation we had regarding Mademoiselle Schwartz that included Dr. Samuel Stillman Berry made the above post possible, it was an email full of past and present history that I asked Phil to write it up for the blog and wallah!!!!!! Much and many thanks to Phil. 
A mighty big hat tip to Lawrence Ransom who rescued what he could from the Simonet collection that eventually kick started this new journey for 'Mademoiselle Schwartz'

Many thanks to Catherine Adams who kept giving encouragement to give 'Mademoiselle Schwartz' oxygen and to Michèle Bersillon for the above amazing photo, the plant conservation and the international logistics that also helped make this all possible.

[Ref 1] The above photo Michèle Bersillon emailed me after reading the post Mademoiselle Schwartz.
Her email mentioned
"I just read your article (bravo!) about this lovely historic that I have had the privilege of cultivating in my garden, Mademoiselle Schwartz.  I had been a bit disappointed that it didn’t turn out to be Lady Foster as Lawrence thought, but it certainly turned out to be a treasure and well worth the wait to send it to Phil.  It is presently in bloom here, so I took a photo the other day—before the rain!—and thought you might like to have a copy." 

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  Michèle Bersillon ©.

Read More

French Historic Tall Bearded Iris Mademoiselle Schwartz

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Les Iris Cultivés  1922

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read More

Iris Species X HOLDEN CLOUGH

It's thanks to the bee's and the chance find and intrigue of a plantsman. Its pedigree may never be really known, but my what a beautiful exotic looking flower that originated from England no less. Named after the nursery where the plant originated and is  still sold today at the Holden Clough Nursery, Bolton-by-Bowland, in Lancashire. Considered to be a 'Water or Bog Iris' but so long as you take care not to let the plant dry out in the summer season until the plant is established it will grow well in the regular garden, and I find it does appreciate a bit of midday dappled shade.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1971, Holden Clough - An Unusual Iris Hybrid. Donald M. Patton.
Walking around a nursery in Yorkshire we noticed a short row of Iris whose foliage was unfamiliar but although it was not yet in Bloom and the staff of the nursery, in the absence of the proprietor, could give no information about it, a plant was purchased and taken home. When early in June the first flower opened it was seen to be one that did not match any known species or hybrid. There was however, some resemblance to I. pseudacorus. On making further enquiries at the nursery it was established that the plant was an odd one out of a batch of seedlings raised from a pod of seed taken from a plant of I.chrysographes. All the other seedlings appear to be similar to I.chrysographes.
A plant was given to Dr Jack Ellis who made a chromosome count and found that 2n=37. If we accept that the plant came from I.chrysographes seed then since the chromosome number of that species is 40 that of the other parent must be 34 and this fits I. pseudacorus. It appears that I. pseudacorus was not actually growing the nursery where the hybrid originated but it has been known to grow wild nearby and it is not unlikely that bees carried the pollen to the nursery. Pending closer examination of the chromosomes, therefore we feel satisfied that the hybrid is I.chrysographes X I. pseudacorus although this is a cross not previously recorded.
Apart from its botanical interest the new hybrid is quite an attractive garden plant with a very unusual flower colour. It is, therefore been registered under the name of 'Holden Clough' to commemorate the nursery where it originated and the plants will be obtainable from the nursery of Mr Linnegar.
The plant is less vigourous than I. pseudacorus but has many similarities including the leaves which have a distinct rib and are about 24 inches high. The flower is yellow, closely veined purple and the general effect is brown. The falls are flaring and have a bright yellow spot pattern created by a deepening of the veining around the spot area. The standards are small and stand at an angle of 45°. The style arms are cream and the crests purple edged yellow. The stems are well branched and carry the flowers to a height of 26 inches. Like pseudacorus the rhizomes are hard and red fleshed. The roots are strong and the plant appears happy in a damp spot. It seems to be an excellent grower and very free flowering. Dr Ellis reports that the pollen is sterile but the seed pods persist on the flower stems and there appear to be a few seeds although we do not expect that they are viable. The seed pod is triangular, dark green and not unlike that of I. pseudacorus.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, Summer 1978, Number 230.
At the Species Level ; Those Wide-Cross Hybrids-Hooray!
In scanning lists of wide crosses and presumed hybrids raised in the past, a species that frequently appears is I. pseudacorus. Although we have no proof that some of the old reports were of authentic hybrids (and plants are no longer around for chromosome study), there can be little doubt now that this species is an important tool to future apogon iris breeding. In Japan, after generations of attempts, have been produced yellow Hana-shobu hybrids yellow Japanese irises-while in Britain the brown water-flag HOLDEN CLOUGH is thought to have been sired by I. pseudacorus on I. chrysographes (one of the Himalayan Sibiricae).

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1978,The Hugh Miller Trophy
This trophy restricted to non-bearded irises, was awarded in 1978 to the inter-species hybrid 'Holden Clough' selected and Registered in 1971 by the late Donald Patton. The flowers are yellow, marked purple, giving a brownish effect. It was found in a nursery in a row of seedlings from I.chrysographes and the pollen parent is believed to be I. pseudacorus. It was given an A.M. by the Joint Iris Committee in 1973, and the A.G.C.by the B.I.S. in 1976.

 Bulletin of the American Iris Society, Fall 1978, Number 231.
A Shiny Yellow Seed on 'Holden Clough', Roy Davidson, Washington.
In my work with iris species I have followed not only the species themselves as new and better forms were found and introduced, but also the hybrids, those not conforming to anyone species, no matter where they originated. Thus I was most intrigued with the idea of a brown water iris when I read in the British Iris Society YEAR BOOK 1971 of Mr. Patton's finding it in a nursery row of supposed Iris chrysographes. Later it was proposed that somehow pollen of I. pseudacorus had been responsible for those aberrant plants in the row. Dr. Ellis made a chromosome Count, reported that the chromosome component would allow that premise, and it went on the record that the plants were hybrids of I. chrysographes and pseudacorus. There were, however, some discrepancies to that theory. For example, how could two such thin-leaved, deciduous species have
given rise to a hybrid having firm, rigid leaves that would stand up to considerable freezing?
Melrose Gardens had imported this hybrid HOLDEN CLOUGH into California, and a piece was planted in my Washington state garden in autumn of 1976; most surprisingly it flowered the following spring, although in my absence. The stalk was there, however, on my return, and it stood up firmly through the winter in a manner that no I. pseudacorus nor any other water-loving species can maintain.
It has been Ben Hager's idea that somehow I. virginica was possibly responsible for HOLDEN CLOUGH, mainly as an explanation of the firmly evergreen foliage. However, the stalk of that species is among the softest of all, often collapsing in a mush before the capsules are open.
This last iris season saw another stalk on my HOLDEN CLOUGH plant which by then had increased to three. The stalk reached twenty-eight inches high, and a total of ten flowers were given in a long season of bloom, the flowers held just above the foliage which had elongated to thirty inches. In full sun the leaves had a good rich green color, further enhanced by a nice polish to the surface.
Just across the path from HOLDEN CLOUGH grows a well established clump of I. foetidissima which was on the property when I came. I was struck by the similarity of the two plants, and although I did not have flowers simultaneously for comparison they seem, in memory, to have been decidedly alike except for color. In the process of comparing the two I had cut the stalk of HOLDEN CLOUGH, and a few days later Phil Edinger discovered that one of the shrivelling pods had an unmistakably hard, round seed in it. Right away the stalk was put into a bottle of water, where it stood for a week. Finally the strain of waiting became too great (and it was evident anyway that the entire stalk was beginning to dry up) so the seed was removed.
In two ways it was a very curious seed. First, it had a distinctly shiny yellow seed coat, and that had been hoped for since it would give almost certain evidence that HOLDEN CLOUGH had been a chance development from I. foetidissima. A pod of I. foetidissima, opened for comparison, revealed that at the same approximate stage of development its seeds were about the same appearance and color, though they would redden up later. The second odd detail of this seed was its shape: rather than round and bead like, it was sort of bi-lobed, almost as though two ovules had become fused (or had not become fully separated? Ed.). This seed is of course planted, and with high hopes; except for shape it was quite plump and normal appearing. What can we hope for, beyond germination and growth? Should it in time produce flowers, will they reveal the answer to the parent's ancestry? The label in the pot reads simply HOLDEN CLOUGH F 2" • • • Editor's note: The chromosome count of HOLDEN CLOUGH made by Dr. Ellis established the possibility that the parents could have been 40-chromosome I. chrysographes and 34-chromosome I. pseudacorus. Interestingly, 40 chromosomes also is the count for I foetidissima.

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California. The Connoisseurs Catalog 1981
Water Iris.
HOLDEN CLOUGH Unusual hybrid between iris pseudacorus X ?. Rampant, evergreen plants produce tall, branched stems and smallish flowers gold ground veined brown maroon...........................................$4.00

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995
Iris Species suitable for water or boggy conditions.
IRIS HOLDEN CLOUGH (Patton UK) L 26"
Chrysographes hybrid, maybe I. pseudacorus X ? Flower are an intriguing brown with deeper veining. Not showy but of interest for floral art and will grow in water conditions as well as normal beds..................................... $6.00

IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
HOLDEN CLOUGH D. Patton, , R. 1971. Change of classification and description to: Wide apogon hybrid of unknown origin and totally unlike I. chrysographes with which it was found growing. Resembles both I. pseudacorus and I. foetidissima and in many respects seems intermediate between the two. Evergreen foliage in warmer climates. Occasionally sets seed with colored flesh outer seedcoat. Flesh of rhizome is pinkish as in I. pseudacorus. Chromosome count 2n=37 made by Ellis; Previous checklist entry below.

The Garden, June 2013. Roy Lancaster visits... Holden Clough Nursery.
'Named after the nursery'.
A plant in cultivation that originated from this nursery in the days of Richard Milne-Redhead is Iris Holden Clough which has been considered by some to be a curious form of the British  native flag ( I.pseudacorus) differing in the purplish brown heavy veining of its yellow flowers. To my eye at least, this gives them a somewhat muddy appearance from a distance. John's (Foley) description of it as a 'Marmite plant' (you either love it or hate it) is most apt. It is definitely a plant for collectors with its curious flowers and winter green leaves. It is also versatile in its growing requirements coping with both moist and average garden soils.

AIS Checklist 1979
HOLDEN CLOUGH    (D. Patton, R. 1971).  Chrysographes hybrid 26" (66 cm) L.     Yellow, veined purple, giving a rich brown appearance; form resembles I. pseudacorus. I. chrysographes X I. pseudacorus., S. Linnegar 1971.

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

Iris Pseudacorus X ROY DAVIDSON

'Roy Davidson' is a clump-forming evergreen iris growing to 1.1m, the strong stems have up to 10 flowers or more, light but bright yellow with light brown veining, the falls with a crescent-shaped brown central flash and just look at the photo how is that for amazing carrying power!! This variety's pollination was possibly by an insect a bird or the wind, and for a intervention of nature it is a super good looking 'Water Iris'.
As a hybrid 'Roy Davidson', has like the species an excellent water purifying ability, and I have always had the thought that some up and coming Agricultural Science boffin would take the time to investigate growing pseudacorus and using this plant's natural talent of consuming excess nutrients and de-acidifying polluted water for dairy farm run off. The outcome is the possibility of having  purified water and in the words of  that My Fair Lady song 'Wouldn't It Be Loverly'.

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California. The Connoisseurs Catalog, 1987.
ROY DAVIDSON (Hager '87) Beardless. 34" Clough #3 Holden Clough open pollinated.
You've probably read about Holden Clough, the mystery (parentage) iris from England. It sets a rare seed or two and about 10% of them germinate. This iris is from one such seed. And what a surprise! Iris pesudacorus is generally accepted as one parent of HC, and this grandchild resembles it except the flowers are 3 1/2" and are bright yellow with some veining and have dark brown crescent signals. THEY REMAIN OPEN FOR THREE DAYS, unlike pseudacorus and its one-day flowers. Stems of this one have two to three branches with multiple buds at each placement and fountains of wide, semi-glossy green foliage this is not dormant here. Promises to be a great garden subject but give this fast increasing plant plenty of room. Named for ROY DAVIDSON because the first seed was found on a stem from his garden so he is to blame for starting this whole thing. .....$25.00. 

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995
Iris Species suitable for water or boggy conditions.
IRIS ROY DAVIDSON (Hager USA) M. 40".
This is a grandchild from Iris Pseudacorus and is a similar shade of yellow, but has flowers 3½ inches across and they last for 3 days, unlike pseudacorus which last 1 day. Stems have 2 or 3 branches and flowers are bright golden yellow. Foliage is dark and glossy and is evergreen. Equally at home in water, bogs or normal garden soil.
 
AIS Checklist 1989
ROY DAVIDSON Ben Hager, Reg. 1987. Sdlg. Clough #3. Apogon hybrid 34" (86 cm) E-L. Yellow, lightly veined brown on F., deep yellow outline by deep brown crescent signal. Holden Clough open pollinated., Melrose Gardens 1987.

 A massive Hat Tip to Phil Edinger for the above Melrose Garden listing.

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