Spuria Iris SON OF SUN

Spuria Iris have not been available to be purchase from a commercial source in New Zealand since Waimate Iris Gardens stopped selling Spuria Iris in 2004 some ten years ago. The bright and showy 'Son of Sun' was gifted to me by Eddie Johns of the once famous Otara Birch Gardens in Rongotea who back when had a huge iris collection. I have a Iris friend in the Bay of Plenty that was able to purchase a few varieties from a South Island Grower, but the state of the market in New Zealand for one of the best long stem cut flower Iris varieties is poor. They are just so ideally suited for growing on the East Coast of New Zealand because of their desire for a long hot and dry summer that allows them to enjoy a dry dormant period. They require full sun, good drainage and like to be planted in a permanent position as they do not like to move and have a tendency to sulk and not flower for the first two years after transplanting.  Best time to divide is just after the start of the Autumn rains.

Rainbow Ridge Nursery, Dural, New South Wales, Iris and Daylily Catalogue 1998.
SON OF SUN Rich, pure yellow...............$12.00

Waimate Iris Garden, Waimate, South Canterbury , 2004 Catalogue.
Spurias
Son of Sun: Wickenkamp 1983 Bright yellow..............................$8.00

IRIS Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor.
Spuria Irises, Recommended cultivars.
Son of Sun: (Wickenkamp 1983) is a brilliant yellow of good form and growing habits. Spikes reach 115cm and this iris blooms mid season.It is a top award winner in the USA.

AIS Checklist 1989.
SON OF SUN (Floyd Wickenkamp, R. 1982). Seedling SP-78-1. SPU, 45.25" (105 cm), Mid bloom season. Lightly ruffled bright yellow. 'Archie Owen' X 'Baritone'. Shepard Iris Garden 1983. Honorable Mention 1985; Nies Award 1987; President's Cup 1987; Nies Medal 1994.

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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Spuria Iris BARBARA'S KISS

One of the good thing that happens when the Tall Bearded iris season nearly comes to the end, is the start of  the Spuria Irises season . This is one of my favourites spurias out of my very limited collection, it has amazing large blooms that have an incredibly long vase life that make the similar looking Dutch Irises look like poor little tryhards. Length of bloom stems are a florists delight. Spuria Iris bloom stalks range in height from 100cm to 150cm (3 to 5 feet) tall. They are usually planted at the back of the border or along the fence, however due to the tight-clumping, nature, they are ideal as vertical accents anywhere in your garden. First year plants will be much shorter than established ones. Since hot temperatures are required for good bloom, plant in full sun, being sure there is good drainage. Planting depth depends on type of soil- 2.5 cm (1 inch) and heavy soil and 5 cm (2 inches) in light sandy soils. Space far enough apart to grow in the same location for several years. You must keep them watered until they start to grow. Once established, Spuria's are drought resistant, however heavy irrigation in the spring will increase growth in bloom. 
Barry Blyth told me the other day in a communication regarding spuria irises "Spurias I could not sell, hence we no longer catalogue them, as lovely as they are. People just do not know what they are". (Now ain't that a real shame). 
I will post a couple more varieties that I grow in the next week or so.

Cordon Bleu Farms, San Marcos, California. 1984 Catalog.
BARBARA'S KISS (McCown, 1982) A unique colour combination with standards of light burgundy mauve and moderate orange yellow falls bordered light burgundy mauve.

AIS Checklist 1989
BARBARA'S KISS (E. McCown, R. 1981) Sdlg. 75-15. SPU, 54" (137 cm), M Standards violet (RHC 1 Opb 4/10) lightly streaked pale yellow; Fall strong violet bordering orange yellow signal, veined brownish purple; ruffled. Arbitrator X Imperial Beauty. Cordon Bleu 1982. HM 1984.
Note how different the colour tones are described in the Cordon Bleu Catalog when compared with the AIS checklist.

There are no commercial sellers of Spuria Irises in New Zealand but there should be!!
Clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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