Tall Bearded Iris WINTER OLYMPICS

Winter Olympics is an iris of excellent quality, an absolute classic, and a much deserved multi award winner. A very clean healthy grower with great clump forming vigour. Plenty of blooms held on strong stems that can withstand most weather conditions. A tough but beautiful Iris with great attributes  making a great  Iris for beginners. It is also very fertile both ways and sets pods easily.  Many irisarians and home gardeners are happy to have just one white iris but you can't lump me in with that crowd. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all gardens can never have enough 'White Irises', they give a balance that is unbeatable and after all nothing clashes with white.
Photo taken in the morning mist. The tiny water droplets in the mist make the light scatter which greatly softens the background giving a painted on canvas texture look. I quite like it!

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January, 1963. Number 168.
Northwest Impressions, Joseph Gatty.
Prior to meeting Tom and Opal I had heard nothing but good reports of their white seedling out of  POET'S DREAM X ELEANOR'S PRIDE. I was not disappointed. WINTER OLYMPICS, as this seedling is now called, and ready for introduction in '63, is a white-white that lacks nothing in perfection of form, substance or branching. A good fifty-foot row of this variety displayed remarkable non-variation in number of branches per stalk, buds, and plant vigor. However, it is the flower of WINTER OLYMPICS that remains with one long after viewing it-that large but graceful white flower that has lost none of the grace that too often disappears with size; its ruffled elegance coupled with substance that indicates it was bred to withstand the elements.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July, 1963. Number 170.
Iris Trek, 1963 Robert S. Carney. Observations of Irises irises which were performing nicely in the gardens visited before the convention in Denver, 1963.
WINTER OLYMPICS (O. Brown). An outstanding new white self with matching beard. Good form and beautifully branched. Said to be a good increaser.
William T. Bledsoe, Fayetteville, Tennessee
WINTER OLYMPICS, by Opal Brown, and WHITE PRIDE, by Dr. Branch. Both are very fine white selfs, and I compared them on four separate days to try to choose between them, so I have placed them in a tie on my
personal score. WINTER OLYMPICS has classic branching, four branches and a terminal. WHITE PRIDE has three branches and the terminal, but it seems to me to be ruffled in a slightly more appealing manner. Both are terrific.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July, 1963. Number 170.
They liked these in the Tour Gardens, Roy Oliphant, Berkeley, California
WINTER OLYMPICS (Opal Brown). This lovely ruffled white with a hint of cream and green, will hold up its head (or should I say heads-for it made an outstanding clump) in any company.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1964, Number 174.
Reports From Region 15-Southern California. WHITES. Mrs. Archie Owen.
WINTER OLYMPICS (Opal Brown '63). Flowers large, pure white with a white beard. The standards are ruffled and the falls heavily ruffled. Stalk sturdy and well branched. A beautiful iris especially when you see three
flowers at one time on a well-branched stalk.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1965. 
WINTER OLYMPICS (O. Brown, '63) Each $22.50
Domed standards and extra wide falls with elegant ruffling are features of this sensational new white Iris. It was the leader in the "Judges' Choice" in 1964 and was likewise first among those which won the HM Award of the AIS last year. Will be hard to beat!

Region 14 Northern California, Nevada, Regional Bulletin, Fall 1966.
1966-An Iris Season in Review, Joe Ghio.
Another bloom season has come and gone. Without a doubt this was the finest iris season we have ever experienced in Santa Cruz.the growth was fantastic; the height and size of the blooms was unbelievable. The weather cooperated as never before. Generally, the days were rainless,windless, and mild. The first tall beardeds opened early in April and a few blooms were still around at the end of May. If only every year could be like this one! Wow!
WHITES; this was the year of WINTER OLYMPICS (O. Brown, '63). Planted here and there throughout our gardens, this tremendous Iris never failed to put on a fantastic show. Tall, well branched with fabulously formed flowers of pure white. An Iris which has everything one could wish. How can it fail to get the Dykes when it is eligible?

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1970,"The newer American Introductions ", page 63, R.A.Wise.
Winter Olympics (O. Brown, 1963). This new white self is highly rated in America and was the Dykes medal winner in 1967. The individual flowers are heavily ruffled with domed standards and extrawide semi-flaring falls. The stems are well branched and the bud count it is very high so that there is a tendency for rather too many flowers to be out at once, thus spoiling the appearance of the spike. The plant is a strong grower in this garden and contrary to some reports does not appear to be rot prone.

Browns Sunnyhill Gardens, Milton Freewater, Oregon. 1972 Iris.
WINTER OLYMPICS (O. Brown, '63) Beautiful white self including beard. Domed standards are ruffled and firmly held.Extra wide falls are intensely ruffled and gracefully arched. Large flowers of heavy substance. Near perfect branching. Fertile both ways. A M '66, Rees Award '66, Dykes Medal '67.

AIS Checklist 1969.
WINTER OLYMPICS    (Opal Brown, R. 1961). Sdlg. 9-5A7. TB 37" E-M. WlW.    White self; white beard. Poet's Dream X Eleanor's Pride., Brown's Sunnyhill Gardens 1963. HC 1961, HM 1964, AM 1966, JC 1964, 1965, Clara Rees Cup 1966, Nelson Award 1969, Dykes Medal 1967.

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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.
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Classic Tall Bearded Iris LOUDOUN CHARMER

This Iris is one of the garden favourites. Unbelievable growth with high health foliage. Large blooms on iron-rod stalks and the combination of the colours............. well to just say they are distinctive is nothing short of under selling what is an amazing balanced kaleidoscope of colours that is not often seen in newer varieties. A very classy classic iris and an absolute must have if you can find it!!

Gene and Gerry's Iris Gardens, Frederick Maryland.
1973 Introduction of George I. Crossman, Dr. Nearpass, G. & G. Burger.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (G. Crossman '73) $25.00
Sdlg. 68-34: Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. TB 38" Mid. Ruffled standards of cream coloring, with a hint of orange; which arch to a closed position. Semi-flaring falls of Medium violet, with a distinctive 3/8" bronze border; set off with a a glowing tangerine beard. Very vigorous blue-green foliage; good stalk with 7 to 8 buds. Try this one-It will add CHARM to your collection.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1973, Number 210.
The Philadelphia Story, Hal Stahly.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman) was going to town here. It is different in color, the standards a flesh tone with violet infusion, the falls light violet, the beard tangerine. That may sound like a familiar pattern, but this one had a pastel effect that is unusual and appealing. It is of nice form on a good stalk with about eight buds.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1974, Number 213.
Convention in '74-Virginia Is for Iris Lovers, Rena Crumpler.
LOUDOUN LASSIE---George Crossman '72. Uniformly outstanding performance in all tour gardens in which it is growing, it has ivory-pink standards, true orchid falls with lighter area in the center around a deep coral beard. This iris and another in the "Loudoun" series, LOUDOUN CHARMER, '73, are a marvelous pair. Both are laced and ruffled with good proportions throughout and very distinctive. They are of similar coloring, LOUDOUN LASSIE being the pinker of the two. These irises are named for Loudoun County, (Lou pronounced as in aI-low and doun pronounced down) which is the home county of the hybridizer. I make this explanation because in Philadelphia I heard it pronounced "Luden" as in cough drop and just plain "lowdown."

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1974, Number 214.
California Comments, Keith Keppel, Roses,Lavenders, and what-have you.
This is rather a catch-all grouping, some tangerine-bearded, some not, but all of them are desirable....
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman '73)-38: 1. Show table stalks carry flowers with peachy-cream standards with a flush of lavender in the midrib. The falls are rosy-orchid with a pale tan rim and red-orange beards. Extremely attractive.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
LOUDOUN CHARMER
An excellent bi-colour with off white standards, and contrasting deep orchid-coloured falls. Early bloomer.

AIS Checklist 1979
LOUDOUN CHARMER  (B. Crossman, R. 1972) Sdlg. 6834. TB, 39" (99 cm), M    S. cream (RHS 159C); F. violet (84C); tangerine beard. Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. Gene & Gerry's Iris 1973. HM 1974.

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Classic Tall Bearded Iris SUN MIRACLE

Considered by Carlos Ayento, of Brighton Park Iris to be rare variety in its American homeland. 'Sun Miracle' is a forty six year old classic and is still growning and seen alot in gardens here in New Zealand.
Amazingly bright, its an Iris with great carrying power, grows extraordinarily well. It's such a clean yellow self.  

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1967.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967) M. 36"
Sun Miracle is not a golden yellow but in the  scale a true canary yellow. In the garden picture we never get enough of these. Their effect is like magic in brightening up the entire iris colorama. Yellow is indeed the most vivid color: witness the popularity of marigolds. Don't pass up this potent color. It will do things for you!

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967) M. 36"
A true canary yellow of perfect form. In the garden we never get enough of these. Their effect is like magic in brightening up the entire colorama. Yellow is indeed the most vivid color; witness the popularity or marigolds. This new yellow is a glorious, sunshiny color. Big blooms and extra fine branching.

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. 1971-1972 Catalogue.
SUN MIRACLE  M. 36". A true canary yellow of perfect form, yellow acts like magic in brighten up the entire garden.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1976,Varietal Comment- Tall Bearded, Bryan Dodsworth.
SUN MIRACLE ( Schreiner 1967). Canary yellow self. Unsurpassed in its colour group. Every stem is of show quality, the flowers are of ideal form and rugged substance.Disease is unknown to it and it increases freely. As the advertisers say, no garden can be considered complete without it.

AIS Checklist 1969
 SUN MIRACLE    (Schreiners, R. 1967). Sdlg. W 474-AA. TB 36" M. Y1F.    Absolute self of even color pure gold, canary yellow (RHS canary yellow), very smooth; even yellow beard. Olympic Torch X R 272-2 ((Golden Blaze x M1158-A (Country Butter x Golden Sunshine))., Schreiners 1967.

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Tall Bearded Iris SPRECKLES

An Iris that has lasted the test of time and yet when it blooms it is still an a annoyingly strong example of the carrying power of plicata's .
Its name however I have always thought was inappropriate for this variety. 'Spreckles' sounds like a name for a budgie, or a thrush or one of our farmyard hens. When first told this Iris had been named 'Spreckles' it reminded me of the time when I found out the loud and brash punk rocker that lived down the road in the '70's is now working at the Haberdashery Counter at Spotlight and proudly wearing the name tag 'Rupert'.
Spreckles the iris is consistently every season dressed like a very colourful loud and brash punk that could almost have been conceived with the artist Jackson Pollock's imagination.
Grows really well as a plant, with vigour and has a resistance to virus, and carries well in the garden. Tuck it away in a large clump of early-mid season flowering blacks and dark blue irises and you may be surprised. Amazingly popular in New Zealand and still sold by many commercial growers.
Age could never change this iris, whereas Rupert now looks like a lost alternative lifestyle geek who got into body piecing in a big way, perhaps to hang pieces of Haberdashery off.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
SPRECKLES (Schreiner's, 1972) ML. 35"
With its cadenced rhythmic motion this charming red plicata offers one a real surprise. Its animated crimson stippled marking on a gay yellow ground mark it as the reddest plicata, with the deepest yellow background shadings of any Iris we catalog. Early blooming, good stems with fine branching and 5 to 8 buds.

Jean Collins Iris Garden, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Iris Catalogue, 1982.
SPRECKLES  EM- Very bright plicata. Red/brown markings on yellow

BayBloom Nurseries, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1996.
9916  SPRECKLES This charming red offers one a real surprise with its crimson stippled markings on a bright yellow background. Early blooming with fine branching, this variety has always been popular.

AIS Checklist 1979
SPRECKLES    Schreiner's, Reg. 1979. Sdlg. B2388-1. TB 35" (89 cm) EM  S. coppery red flush on yellow ground; F. bright yellow ground with red plicata markings; orange beard. Cayenne Capers X R 185-1: (M1141-A x self)., Schreiner's 1971.

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Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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Tall Bearded Iris REAL DELIGHT

The blood lines of  both of parents of 'Real Delight' were widely used by hybridisers in the 60's and 70's,  producing Irises like Dawn Crest, Catalyst, Honey Rock, Love Letters, Pink Delight, Orange Bowl, and Marilyn C which also became a hybridisers favourite .
'Real Delight' is in the parentage of one of Schreiner's true masterpieces in the apricot orange tones the tall bearded iris 'Coral Sunset'.
There are two 'Real Delight's' in this story and I don't mean the image count. There is the above Iris which is truly a Real Delight and then there is the other special Real Delight and this is in reference to the lady who decided this iris has a special place in her garden and created a safe place for this iris to grow! Why because she knew its name? it parentage? Had an idea of its special place in Iris history? Well No!!  She grew the iris because she was captivated by it's beauty. Every year there are millions of irises grown without label by many thousands of gardeners around the world. People like these are among the real guardians of the iris gene pool, you could say super heroes of the iris world, and the Historic Iris world owes them a great deal of gratitude.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 1961, Iris Lovers Catalog.
REAL DELIGHT  (Walters 1960) M. 38"
A pleasing combination of blush-pink concentrates in the central part of the buffy cream standards while falls have a delicious apricots or peach sherbet coloring intensifying towards a haft and reflecting, as it were, the tangerine beard. In the recess of the flower there is a c00l whisper of chartreuse that no color film seems able to catch. A very subtle, iridescent Iris, full of exquisite nuances. Illustration on page 47. HM'60...................................................................$20.00

Courtesy Schreiner's 1961 Catalog

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1965.
REAL DELIGHT  (Walters 1960)
A huge and gorgeous blend of blush pink and deep apricot. Petals are broad and thick in texture, the falls flaring and supporting a heavy, bright red-orange beard. There is a greenish chartreuse glow within the flowers. 3½ feet. HM AIS, 1960.

AIS Checklist 1959
REAL DELIGHT    Donald Waters, Reg. 1958. Sdlg. FW-156. TB 36" M. YO4P.    S. pink shaded deep apricot; F. deep cream, edged same as S.; red beard. Frances Kent X Top Flight., Schreiner 1960. HM 1960.

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Tall bearded Iris EXOTIC BLUE

 

Exotic Blue is another of those astonishing irises that is stunning in its unusual simplicity. Perhaps one of the most out of the square descriptions I read was Lloyd Austin  determination that 'Exotic Blue' was a kind of green and in fact 'Exotic Blue' was listed with the other 'Fascinating approaches to Green'  classified irises in his catalogue (nearly two pages of this colour tone).
This iris along with Burnt Toffee, Crimson Tiger, Infernal Fire, Millennium Falcon, Tiger Honey, and the Border Bearded Irises like Jungle Shadows, Batik, Network, and the surprisingly named  Baboon Bottom, when they bloom at home always give me time to ponder the unstable genes that are always just below the surface in the Bearded Iris genetics. You can never beat the element of surprise! Keeps you grounded.

Randolph Iris Garden, Ithaca, New York. 1958 Introductions.
EXOTIC BLUE $15.00
Lavender blue tinged with greenish brown. having a heavy matching beard which accentuates its exotic charm. 32". H.C. 1957. Runner-up for the President's Cup at the 1958 Annual Meeting.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1959, Number 154, Part 1.
Varietal Comment, Region 7-Nashville Vicinity, Adelaide D. Peterson, Brentwood, Tennessee.
Exotic Blue (Randolph), more than just aptly named. This is a connoisseur's iris which almost defies comparison. Medium in height, with falls a bit narrower than are generally popular, it nevertheless is a type of color break that is a hybridizer's dream come true. Several shades darker than powder-blue, it has a dark blue, olive-tipped beard, an olive green area at the haft with 'purple veining deep inside. While most viewers here stood around it in awe, one irisarian thought it terrible. That's the way with this iris, you're likely either to admire it tremendously or dislike it entirely.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society,October 1960, Number 159.
Varietal Comments by Region 15 Members by Thornton M. Abell, Santa Monica, California.
A few things seen in the Los Angeles area before leaving for the AIS Convention in Portland.
Also in Lura's and Barbara's gardens we saw Randolph's EXOTIC BLUE, a most intriguing flower, a smoky greenish blue with a rusty-violet beard; although  somewhat narrow in form, it was effective.

Rainbow Hybridising Gardens, Placerville, California. Lloyd Austins World Famous Iris Color Guidebook, 1963.
EXOTIC BLUE (Randolph, '58) EM 34"
From our AIS President Dr. Randolph comes this hybridizer's dream come true. Of such spontaneous appeal it was runner-up for President's Cup the year it was introduced. Yes, it's exotic & quite different. A distinctive blend of lilac blue and greenish brown with a matching olive-tipped brown beard. A connoisseur’s iris that defies comparison. [(Mata Hari x Black Forest) x White Wedgwood] JC '59.

AIS Checklist 1959
EXOTIC BLUE  Randolph, Reg. 1957  Sdlg. 51-223-5. TB, 28" (71 cm), M ; Light lavender-blue self, with darker center; brown beard, tipped blue. (Mata Hari x Black Forest) x Wedgwood. Randolph 1958. HM 1958.

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Tall Bearded Iris CALIENTE

While we are on the subject of 'Bucket List Irises' I just had to take a photo of an Iris I have always considered one of 'The Best of The Best'. 'Caliente' is a Spanish word and when translated into English, it means hot as in attractive, and the photo shows how aptly this iris has been named. In the year 1969 'Caliente' was awarded a Honorable Mention, it was also in the same year entered  in the International Iris Contest in Florence as Seedling 64-9 and was placed third overall in the Premio Firenze, but more importantly in the same competition it won the title 'Best Red'. A vigorous all weather iris with great health, beautiful purple-based foliage which is coupled with generous increase. Claret wine red self with velvet texture and leathery substance. Nice contrast with bright bushy golden beards. Stems are tall, and in keeping with its vintage has candelabrum as opposed to candelabra branching on strong stems, stalks often opening 3 at once, with plenty of backup buds to ensure a great display of blooms for 'Caliente's' super long length of bloom season. 
For me, years ago when I first saw this iris it was an absolute must have, and today is still a high-quality soul soothing classic!!
More on bucket irises in my next post!!!

Region 14 Northern California, Nevada, Regional Bulletin, Fall 1967.
Views from a Crystal Ball, Joe Ghio.
Caliente (Luihn) A sombre deep crimson with a darkish cast. A fine advancement in the red class since it has fine formed flowers on tall, well branched stalks with many buds.

Mission Bell Gardens, Melba and Jim Hamblen,  South Roy, Utah.
Introductions for 1968.
CALIENTE (Walt Luihn). ML. 38". Brilliant wine-red of exceptional smoothness and clarity of color, highlighted by a heavy beard of antique gold. The standards are domed and the wide flaring falls have a jaunty lilt. Strong stalks with superb branching and prolific bud count. ((Tompkins 54-173 x BANG) x (ORIENTAL GLORY X HUNTSMAN)) X FORWARD MARCH. Sdlg. 64-9. HC '66 Net $25.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society,April 1968, Number 189.
'My Want List', Larry M. Harder.
Walter Luihn has a new red iris that is scheduled as a future introduction called CALIENTE. This is the first yellow-bearded red iris that has impressed me. I also noted the outstanding branching of this variety.

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Bearded Irises 1971-72.
CALIENTE  - M.L. 36"
Brilliant wine red of exceptional smoothness highlighted by a wide heavy beard of antique gold.

Schreiners Salem,Oregon. Iris Lover's catalog 1971
CALIENTE   (W.Luihn, 1967) ML. 38"
Brilliant wine red of exceptional smoothness and luminous color highlighted by a wide heavy beard of antique gold. A wide-petaled beauty with domed standards and jaunty flaring falls.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1982.
CALIENTE   (Luihn, '67) ML. 36"
Brilliant wine red, highlighted by a wide heavy beard of antique gold. Wide-petaled  ith domed standards and flaring falls. HC, '66 ; HM, '62 ; AM, '71 ;

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
Bearded Irises
CALIENTE. This smooth, deep brown-red is an absolute self except for the harmonising bronze beards that are hardly noticeable. Round full form.
(The beard colour description for Bay Blooms beggars belief they were either describing another Iris or were colour blind, their is no way Caliente's beard  is hardly noticeable.)

AIS Checklist 1969
CALIENTE    Walter Luihn, Reg. 1967. Sdlg. 64-9. TB 38" ML. R1.    Wine red self; bright gold beard. ((Tompkins 54-173 x Bang) x (Oriental Glory x Huntsman)) X Forward March., Mission Bell 1968. HC 1966, HM 1969.AM 71.

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Tall bearded Iris COUNTRY MANOR

A 40 year old Classic Iris that superlatives still do it little justice. Giant sized blooms with just the right amount of ruffling are carried on sturdy tall stalks with three branches and spur and nine to twelve buds.Standards are an warm white with light lemon at midribs. Nicely ruffled falls with light yellow hafts and yellow beard colours diffuses throughout the falls to give a buttery cream effect. A very good grower that shows great increase. Fertile.  Breathtaking! Another of my Bucket Irises!

Mrs Richard P. Kegerise, Temple, Philadelphia. Introducing for 1973.
COUNTRY MANOR Sdlg. 20-70 T.B. M-L 38-40 in. Cup Race X 1-66 (Swan Ballet x Rippling Waters)
A large ruffled creamy white. Light yellow hafts and yellow beard create a glowing center. Nicely held standards and rounded falls. An exceptionally strong well-branched stalk having three branches and terminal-at times an additional spur. It consistently blooms with three open flowers at one time. Bud count nine. A good increaser and fertile both ways. Indeed a show stalk. HC '72 $25.00

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1973, Number 210.
The Philadelphia Story, Hal Stahly.
After lunch at the Good and Plenty (it was both!) in Lancaster, we headed toward Reading, the location of the Kegerise gardens. There are two of these gardens, tended by two sisters who married brothers, both of whom are iris hybridizers. It all sounds very complicated in writing, when it is really rather simple; since the sisters are the hybridizers, we'll just refer to the gardens as that of Eleanor K. and that of Evelyn K. While Eleanor is working the irises, husband Richard must be manicuring the lawn-not a weed in the broad expanse of grass. Here too we heard birds chirping in their fine pin oak. Eleanor Kegerise's own COUNTRY MANOR was putting on a tremendous show here at its birthplace. This big warm white with yellow shoulders and beard has fine fluted ruffles, good substance, beautiful form, and a really magnificent stalk with four and five branches plus terminal. It later won the President's Cup.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1990, Number 279.
An Iris Season in Review. Ted White (Maine)
20. COUNTRY MANOR (El. Kegerise '73) is an iris that grows like a tree ! It's stems usually measure 40" or more and carry a very generous 10-12 buds. The color is a creamy white with light golden yellow at the hafts and yellow beards. Country Manor often has 3-5 flowers open at once and usually does well on the show-bench. AM '76

AIS Checklist 1979
COUNTRY MANOR   Eleanor Kegerise, Reg. 1972. Sdlg. 20-70. TB 39" (99 cm) M.     S. white; F. white with light yellow hafts; yellow beard; ruffled. Cup Race X 1-66: (Swan Ballet x Rippling Waters)., Eleanor Kegerise 1973. President's Cup 1973,HM 1974, AM 1976.

I note the pod parent is that great white Tall Bearded Iris 'Cup Race', runnerup for the 1972 Dykes Medal. A little known fact is that 'Cup Race' led at several times during the voting for the Dykes Medal in 1972, and three days before the end of the talley, was in the lead.................. just a little digression . 
 
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 CIRCUS STRIPES

Some in the past have criticised 'Circus Stripes' because it lacks consistency with its plicata striations..................Now ain't that amazing huh!!!!
'Circus Stripes' is a classic campanula violet or grape juice [Ref 1] coloured plicata on a 'pure as the' white base .
Domed standards have striations radiating from the bottom of the midrift towards a heavily coloured solid edge. Wide and flaring falls with vagarious striations that end in a semi solid but also feathered margin. Great branching, blooms often opening 2 or 3 at once on strong stalks. Swollen buds are an additional visual feature. After 38 years 'Circus Stripes' is still daring and irresistibly original.

Schreiner's, Salem, Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
CIRCUS STRIPES   (Plough, 1976) EM. 36"
How well named! This Iris is theatrical in the boldness of its etched markings. Its campanula violet veining in the center turns into heavier plicata edges on the petal tips as if a paint pot was spilled over white ground. Dramatic and stagey in appearance. You and your friends will surely stop and look at this exciting novelty. A well branched and most satisfactory grower.HM 78

AIS Checklist 1979
CIRCUS STRIPES  G. Plough, Reg. 1975. Sdlg. 69-17-3. TB 30" (76 cm) M.     S. white, edges veined campanula violet, heavier at tip; F. white, overall veining of campanula violet; white to yellow beard. Winner's Circle X 66-73-19, sib., Eden Road 1976. Honorable Mention 1978

Colours can vary from garden to garden or different soil types
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

[Ref 1]

[Ref 1]

[Ref 1]

[Ref 1] Maerz and Paul, Dictionary of Color, 1st ed. color 219

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Tall Bearded Iris LOYAL DEVOTION

This is a very early blooming Tall Bearded Iris which is always a worry as 'we at home' are still in the peak Nor-westerlies season. Just two days ago wind gusts of 170kph arrived then left and I spent the next days cutting up two large 8 metre olive trees that were completely levelled, so bloom stalks on tall bearded irises were completely out of their league, I am still finding horizontal bloom stalks.
Can't say this is my favourite time of the year coming back home to find mother nature has been so bloody ruthless, but as the saying goes 'every garden path has its puddle'.
'Loyal Devotion' with its appropriate name opened its stunning medium blue bloom this morning similar in colour  to 'Color Me Blue' (Schreiner '97) but a more earlier 80's classic form.
My understanding is that this iris was never well distributed internationally so its kinda a real surprise to have it growing in New Zealand and it has completely disappeared from New Zealand commercial catalogues which is a shame as early light blues that can endure strong winds are rarer than rocking horse droppings .

Contemporary Views, 1988, Perry Dyer. Tall Beardeds by Color Group; Light Blues.
LOYAL DEVOTION (Waltermire 1982) was as good as it has ever been; looking good in virtually every garden. I don’t know what the Spences have in that soil of theirs, but I have never seen ‘Loyal Devotion’ with such a true blue. The branching is rather close to the stalk, but the flowers open without touching the stalk, and it looks good on the show bench. The timing of the bloom sequence in a clump is especially good, assuring a long season of bloom.

Contemporary Views, 1992, Perry Dyer, Dark Horse Award Runner sup.
One of the bluest true-blues in the kingdom is the Tall Bearded LOYAL DEVOTION (Waltermire 1982), a pure, crystalline clearwater blue displayed on an acceptable stalk with good bud count. The entire flower is diamond-dusted, which further enlivens the flower. Plant habits are beyond reproach.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
3060 LOYAL DEVOTION
One of the bluest of the blues we have ever grown. Super ruffled light blue with excellent branching and good growth. Flowers early in the season.

AIS Checklist 1989
LOYAL DEVOTION   C. Waltermire, Reg. 1981. Sdlg. CW 77-2. TB 30" (76 cm) EM.     Ruffled light blue; white beard. Sapphire Hills X Full Tide., Contemporary Gardens 1982. Honorable Mention 1984.

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Classic Collectable Tall Bearded Iris MOONSTRUCK

Small amounts of sort of zonal white beneath the yellow beard tipped orange which was empathised in the Artist enhanced image in the Schreiner's 1982 catalogue confirmed to me the ID plus the description in Schreiner's catalogue and other publications that documented its vigorous growth. At home 'Moonstruck' is a weed-of-a-grower, so very quickly makes a highly desirable, compact clump with a mountain of non fading yellow flowers. Make sure you plant the rhizome in a position so it can expand, one season this iris increased with 4 new thick rhizomes. Thirty four years old 'Moonstruck' is a Classic Collectable Iris.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
MOONSTRUCK   (Schreiner 1979) EM. 36"
You will marvel at this enticing, precisely formed and exquisitely clean light  sulphur to lemon yellow. It has flawless form and equally compensating vigour. Its enamel finished flowers are ideally poised on two and three branched stems, with 7 to 9 buds.

AIS Checklist 1979
MOONSTRUCK   Schreiner's, Reg. 1979. Sdlg. I 1225-1. TB 36" (91 cm) EM. Sulphur yellow self; light yellow beard. Moon Glimmer X New Moon., Schreiner's 1979.

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Tall Bearded Iris SPANISH LEATHER

 

Considered by Carlos Ayento, of Brighton Park Iris to be endangered in its American homeland, 'Spanish Leather' a twenty eight year old classic is still regularly available here in New Zealand. It was one of my pleasant new purchase surprises last bloom season. This well named variety is a medley of autumn colours in bronze, copper-brown, and rosy-rust, completed with rich golden tones in the centre of each fall.The flowers are thickly substanced with a leathery texture. Iron rod stalks with especially good spacing of its branching and up to 8-10 buds per stem. A vigorous grower with beautiful purple bottom clean foliage that is resistant to leaf spot. Remarkable sun-fast blend topped off with bright bushy old gold beards.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 60th Annual Iris Lovers Catalog:, 1985.
SPANISH LEATHER
With texture and color like fine leather wares fashioned by the master craftsmen of Seville, our Spanish Leather captures the quality and spirit of that finely wrought work. Rose, copper and henna-maroon all blend in a rich harmony highlighted by golden orange beards and artful golden dappling on the falls. Our photograph illustrates the richness of color and the fine detail in this big full-fashioned beauty. Extremely vigorous as well! You may never own boots of Spanish leather, but can witness something of equal beauty.

SPANISH LEATHER
(Schreiner's, R. 1985) Sdlg. R 815-B. TB, 35" (89 cm), EM
Lightly ruffled rose, copper, henna and maroon blend with golden dappling highlighting shoulders and broad hafts; old gold blended beard. I 910-2: (D 824-AA x E 1068-A: (Calypso Bay sib x Y 866-A)) X K 891-B: ((Lime Fizz x Kingdom) x New Moon). Schreiner's 1985.

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Tall Bearded Iris SKATING PARTY

Perception, Perception,Perception. Just look at it! Now if I was to tell you that this iris is 'Historic' I think it would not be unreasonable for readers to inquire what has the Iris Hunter been drinking? or maybe recommend to me some restful accommodation with discreet professional support. However folks I kid you not, 'Skating Party' has this year being newly classified as 'Historic' because it is thirty years old and that's the official determination of the classification. This method of classification of a so called 'Historic Iris' is increasingly becoming a visual confusion for the general gardening public, and if a survey was done, you know the kind of thing where someone walks around a flower or garden show with pictures of irises from various vintages it would be a sure bet very few survey respondents would label most surviving irises of the 60's, 70's and 80's as 'historic'. Most of these irises are still listed in commercial catalogues today as 'Modern Tall Bearded Irises', (See the 'Schreiners' listing below). If the classification is to be taken seriously by the gardening public then at the very least it should apply to an iris that looks like its Historic. More than 650 irises including 'Skating Party' were registered in 1983, and all of these modern irises have now become listed as 'historic' in this year 2013, or another way of looking at it is there is now 650 more reasons why this 'Historic Classification' needs to change, and that 'caring not a whit about it' is not the clever option .

Many irisarians are happy to have just one white iris but you can't lump me in with that crowd. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all gardens can never have enough 'White Irises', they give a balance that is unbeatable and after all nothing clashes with white. They also can be the first irises to bloom in the season and 'Cascade Pass' (Cooper '70) is my earliest white iris to bloom, 'Skating Party' and 'America's Cup' (McWhirter,'88) are the last to bloom for me at home. 
'Skating Party' is a strong grower with good clean foliage clumps up quickly and with its profusion of bloom stalks can quickly become a bold garden feature with great carrying power. If you haven't got this iris it's high time you did! A Modern Classic iris that more than earns it place in the garden.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 1983.
SKATING PARTY  (Gaulter,83) M-L, 34"
Have you been looking for the 'all-whitest' iris? Here is a new one that should fill the bill. The beards are a lemon-white and the bloom is fluted all around.There is some flare in the falls, but the whole is very ruffly with nine buds to each 3-branch stalk.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog, 2002.
SKATING PARTY  (Gaulter,83) M-L, 34"
All time favorite white iris. The beards are lemon white and the bloom is fluted all round.There is some flare in the falls, but the whole is very ruffled with nine buds to each stalk. H.M.'85; A.M.'89.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 2013 Collector's Edition.
SKATING PARTY  (Gaulter,83) M-L, 36"
Large and generously ruffled, Skating Party is a pristine white with lemon tinted beards. This finely balanced and well-formed Iris is an ideal addition to the white garden. H.M.'85; A.M.'89.

IRIS Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor
Recommended Cultivars, WHITE.
'Skating Party'(Gaulter, 1983) has been my favourite white Iris for many years. It is a pure white with a white beard, heavily ruffled and of very attractive form. The very strong spikes carry 8 to 10 blooms which open nicely in sequence for an extended period, making this Iris ideal in the garden and on the show bench. Health and vigour are both excellent and 'Skating Party' will produce a large club in two years from a single rhizome. It moves easily and establishes quickly and I have found it admirable in a variety of climates. The tall spikes, reaching 90-100 cm, are bloom mid to late season and are able to withstand all but the worst weather. I have observed 'Skating Party' over many years and it never performs badly, even in less than perfect seasons. It is breeding is (Portrait of Larrie x Carriage Trade) x a sibling.

AIS Checklist 1989
SKATING PARTY (L. Gaulter, R. 1983) Sdlg. 77-45. TB, 34" (86 cm), M-L Fluted white; lemon beard tipped white. (Portrait of Larrie x Carriage Trade) X sib. Cooley's Gardens 1983. HM 1985, AM 1989.

I did write a little about these 'Confusing Historic's'  last September in my post 'Historic Iris 'TIME FOR CHANGE'

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RHS Plant Finder 2013 has over 5,600 Iris listings

RHS Plant Finder 2013, the 27th edition of the ultimate gardener’s guide to UK cultivated plants. Compiled and published by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s foremost gardening charity, RHS Plant Finder 2013 lists more than 75,000 plants together with details for more than 550 suppliers, making it the most comprehensive directory of plants that are available to buy from UK and Irish nurseries. The new book includes more than 4,300 new plants added since the last edition and reflects the results of the recent Award of Garden Merit (AGM) review, together with the revision of the associated RHS Hardiness Ratings System. Over 5,600 Iris are listed and best of all is the amazing photo of Nora Scopes Iris 'Early Light' on the front cover.

Janet Cubey, Editor-in-Chief of RHS Plant Finder 2013, says: "Compiling RHS Plant Finder each year is a mammoth task. However, the book is such a favourite with gardeners up and down the country and the reaction it gets is always so positive that it’s well worth the effort. The book also holds the key to discovering gardening trends early and always gives readers a bit of insight into what might be appearing in gardens all around them later in the year. Looking for new plants that have a large number of listed suppliers is usually good way of predicting which plants nurseries are really excited about, and is generally a good advance indicator of success." You can buy online from the RHS Books & Gifts Shop

The Award winning British bred Iris 'Early Light' is an absolute classic and a really good opportunity to enlighten readers with some additional information regarding its history.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1989, “The Dykes Medal 1989”, page 8, H.R. Jeffs.
'Early Light' raised by Miss Nora Scopes was, last year awarded the Fothergill Trophy. This year it pursued its victorious career by gaining second prize at Florence and now being given the Dykes Medal for 1989. This Iris was raised from a cross 'Cup Race' x 'Lemon Brocade' and has performed superbly at Wesley where it produces many spikes worthy the of the Josephine Romney Towndrow Trophy. A member of the public talked to me when I was judging this year and said "if I could only take away one Iris from the trial it would be 'Early Light'"and I was able to tell her she had excellent taste!
The stems carry upwards of eight buds and almost always four branches and terminal. Form is impeccable, and the standards are cream flushed with lemon, the falls slightly deeper and the beard yellow. It was selected for trial and registered in 1983 and gained the RHS award of merit in 1986. The height is 38" (97cm). Nora has been giving us fine varieties for many years and this award of a Dykes Medal crowns her efforts which cover so many sections of the genus.

AIS Checklist 1989
EARLY LIGHT Nora Scopes, Reg. 1983. Sdlg. 9/80A. TB, 38" (97 cm), Medium Late season Bloomer. S. cream, flushed lemon; F. slightly darker; yellow beard. 'Cup Race' X 'Lemon Brocade'. Dykes Medal,British Iris Society 1989.

'Early Light' is available in the UK from Claire Austin Plants, Potash Nursery and Seagate Irises.

A big hat tip to Judith Merrick, Compiler, RHS Plant Finder for the help with some additional information.

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Tall Bearded Iris LILAC WINE

'Lilac Wine' is an unusual colour spectacle that carries well in the garden. Standards are a silvery lilac tone and are highlighted with bronzy beige toned midribs, falls are a dark ruby plum red, yellow tipped beard completes the harmony. Blooms are well formed and lightly ruffled and are carried on 90 cm spikes with 6 to 8 buds from early to mid season. Growth, health and vigour are good, increase is average. This 36 year old  sometimes flowers too early for the show-bench which is not really a big bump in the road is it?

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1982,  “Varietal comments on Australian T.B. Irises”,  page 63, C.E.C. Bartlett.
Cy Bartlett writes about a range of Australian raised Tall Bearded irises and how they performed in Somerset.
Lilac Wine (Blyth, 77) This Iris has silvery lilac standards and velvety plum red falls with yellow beards. Its growth habits, branching and bud count are reasonable. There are several varieties of this colour combination available but what makes this Iris noteworthy is its earliness.

IRISES A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin
Iris 'Lilac Wine'  (Blyth, 77) the velvety, deep red brown falls have deeper brown veins. Above the falls sit pale lilac standards that our heavily flashed with beige. The beards are yellow, and the flower is scented. Height 91 cm (36½ inches). Bloom early to midseason. Parentage (Barcelona x Outer Limits) X (Snowlight x Visionary sibling)

AIS 1979 Checklist
LILAC WINE    (B. Blyth, R. 1977). Sdlg. J78-4. TB 36" (91 cm) E-M.     S. lilac, deepening to beige at midribs; F. velvety plum red; lemon yellow beard. (Barcelona x Outer Limits) X (Snowlight x Visionary sib)., Tempo Two 1977/78.

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Tall Bearded Iris JANE PHILLIPS

I have always held this Iris in high regard, and was one of my first irises. It was purchased at a School Fair with no ID which undoubtedly started me on this mad journey of Iris history. What makes 'Jane Phillips' special is hard to put your finger on, perhaps it is it's carrying power and consistency or the trick it plays on the grower with its dark blue buds that slowly unfurl to become an entirely pale blue bloom. Not tall, but not as short as some critics would lead you to believe in their reviews below. Clean grey green foliage, great plant health with especially good increase. This year we have split a plant and have replanted, now we have a clump of 10 plants so in the coming years Jane will be back on a larger scale winning hearts again. Fertile both ways and is involved in the parentage of one hundred plus Irises.  Also has a New Zealand connection did you know? It was the pod parent of Jean Stevens ruffled light blue 'Foaming Seas' and also the pod parent for Lucy Delany's ruffled really creamy cream Tall Bearded 'Happy Jane' both of these grow at home.
If you need an Iris with great classic form and real class this iris could be the one. If you find it, buy it, I guarantee you won't regret it.

Fairmont Gardens, Lowell, Massachusetts,Irises, Hemerocallis, Hostas, Poppies, Introductions for 1950.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950) M. This beautiful blue is the child of the famous iris Helen McGregor that won the Dykes Medal in 1949. Deeper in color, but with similar form and substance, it possesses great color appeal. A very clear blue self with well domed standards, arched and smoothly finished, the semi-flaring falls are lightly fluted at the edges. Firm texture and exquisite color, it possesses that mark of distinction that is characteristic of so many irises bred by Dr. Graves and his able assistant, Edward Watkins. This iris has been tested in many parts of this country as well as in England and is high favor wherever grown. Excellent branching and sturdy growth. Stock limited. 
H.M. A.I.S. 1947. 38in..................................................................................$25.00

The Iris Year Book, 1951
A Selection of Higher-Priced Irises, by G.L.Pilkington and N. Leslie Cave.
List 3. Irises Costing over £1
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves) Similar to Helen McGregor but several shades bluer. And other beauty with similar failing, a stubby stem (TWO VOTES)

The Iris Year Book, 1952
Commentaries in Variety, by H. Senior Fothergill
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves) This shapely, pale blue Iris has now proved itself to be a very sturdy grower and a rapid increaser. It is not so expensive now, and really shows its owner that it is grateful for its board and lodging in a way which, unfortunately, not one in twenty of modern novelties is gracious enough to do.

Cooleys Gardens Silverton, Oregon. Iris for 1951
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)
A new light blue that is deeper in color than Helen McGregor, of which it is a seedling. It resembles its famous parent in form and size but because it carries more color it is distinct and worthy in its own right. We have seen no Iris which appears nearer true blue. HM AIS 1950. Each $20.00.

Courtesy Cooleys 1957 Catalog

Schreiner's, Route 2, Salem, Oregon. Iris Lovers Catalogue, 1952.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950) EM, 34".
If you revel in clear blue Iris here is one that will delight you. A seedling of the famous Helen McGregor it is somewhat deeper though equally as true blue tie. It probably ranks with Cahokia as one of the bluest Iris we grow.HM'50..........................................................$15.00

Lyon Iris Gardens, Van Nuys, California. Iris and Hemerocallis, 1955 Catalog.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)
A clear attractive medium blue self, smooth in finish and beautifully formed. The large flowers with domed standards and semi-flaring falls are lightly frilled at the edges. Winter tested. 38".........................$3.00

Stevens Bros.  Bastia Hill, Wanganui. Irises 1955-1956.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves U.S.A.)
  At last we are able to offer you this famous light blue descendant of Helen McGregor, which many New Zealanders, having seen in our trial gardens, or at the London Iris Show, have been waiting for- the bluest blue Iris! In offering novelties to our customers it is our obligation not to list a variety until we have a stock available to satisfy normal first year demand. It therefore follows that when, as in the case of Jane Phillips, we know the demand is going to be very heavy, we must wait an extra year so that there will be enough plants to go around. Of beautiful form and a heavenly light blue colour, Jane is an exceptionally large flower of great substance, and fully lives up to her overseas reputation. An Iris which will be the pride of your garden. 2 ft 9 in.............................................................42/-

The Tall Bearded Iris, Blue Irises, Nicholas Moore, 1st. Ed. 1956.
Dr Graves's later introductions, though they have surpassed AND THOU (1942) in blueness and in evenness of colour, have scarcely done so in other respects. Of these HELEN McGREGOR (1946) is the star. It is said, 'never has an Iris been so popular in its first year of introduction', and it is ruffled, voluptuous blooms have been described as having a film star beauty. A light clear blue, and several degrees bluer than most other light blues, it has captivated its admirers at shows, and in the garden it flowers with tremendous freedom. However, its beauty is marred by short, thick,podgy steam and poor proportion to its flowers, and the flowers themselves are apt to be too crowded. JANE PHILLIPS a later descendant, is somewhat similar, but is slightly deeper in colour and less blowsy in form, and has the ineffable advantage of the better branching and poise, a better plant in every way, but even this is too short for its big flowers.

Irises, Judith M. Berrisford, Garden Book Club Edition, 1961.
Choosing your Irises. Pale Blue.
JANE PHILLIPS (Graves 1950)  34", E-M.
If you want a stronger, yet still pale blue than, 'Helen McGregor', this is the iris to choose. Really a flax blue. Very similar to 'Helen McGregor' in everything but colour, and a stronger grower. Scented.

AIS Checklist, 1949.
JANE PHILLIPS (Robert J. Graves, R. 1946). TB, M B1M. 'Helen McGregor' x ('Pale Moonlight' x 'Great Lakes') Award of Garden Merit R.H.S. Highly Commended 1947, Honorable Mention 1950,  Award of Merit 1952. AIS.

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Tall Bearded Iris SHIPSHAPE

'Shipshape' is one of the great blue classic irises and an all time favourite of mine. Long flowering season with strong spikes carrying 6-8 buds with good branching. A very strong and masculine looking iris, with falls have that chiselled look, very triangular in their early bloom form that later becomes a very balanced look between the standards and the falls. Absolute stand-out iris this past season and my garden notes taken when visiting a large iris garden in Greytown one of the beds with forty large blooms counted with a strong count of buds to follow up in the large planting of this variety, a truly outstanding display. Incredible almost weed like high health growth. This iris took America by storm in the early 70's.  Great parent.

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California, 1969 Introductions.
SHIPSHAPE (Sanford Babson) TB 38" (Epic X Pacific Panorama) Very large, VERY wide medium blue. Also popular at the 1968 convention and going fast................................................NET $25.00

Melrose Gardens, Stockton, California,The Connoisseur's Catalog 1981.
SHIPSHAPE (Babson '69) Still one of the GREAT iris ; wide, sea-blue with super form supported by a vigorous plant. Dykes Medal '74....................................................................$3.50.

Brown's Sunnyhill Gardens, Milton-Freewater, Oregon. 1972 Iris.
SHIPSHAPE (S. Babson,'69) Huge ruffled flowers of medium blue with domed standards and wide semi-flaring falls. Tall and well branched. HM '70.

The Iris Society Year Book (BIS) 1973, page 125, 'The AIS Convention in Philadelphia', Harry B. Kuesel.
Our next stop was at Mr and Mrs E. A. Chariott's garden in Moylan, Pennsylvania. The large, well landscaped grounds had many interesting trees and shrubs that made a perfect background for the Irises. Here I noted that 'Shipshape' (Babson,'69) was particularly good. This is a dense medium blues self with no haft markings and a bright light yellow beard. It has deep fluted standards over folding each other rising into a crown of furbelows. Its falls are ruffled and flaring. This Iris was awarded the Franklin Cook Memorial Cup which is given to the Iris originated outside the local region which gets the most Convention visitors votes.

Mission Bell Gardens, Roy, Utaha, Iris for 1973.
SHIPSHAPE (S. Babson,'69) M 38in.
Magnificent intense medium blue self with light yellow beard. Deeply fluted standards domed and closed ; broad spreading falls with ruffled shoulders and waved petal edges. Strong stems with ideal branching.
(Pacific Panorama X Epic) AM '72..............................................................................$12.50

Jean Collins Iris Garden, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga.
SHIPSHAPE M- Wide mid-sea blue. D.M.U.S. 1974.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, 1982 Iris Lovers Catalog.
SHIPSHAPE (S. Babson, 1969) EM. 38"Broadly petaled and finely balanced in shape, massive. Shipshape ranks among the largest medium blues. Rich in color, an intense medium blue, it has an easy, undulating form with excellent, well branched stems, which support this mammoth flower beautifully.
(Pacific Panorama X Epic), HM 1970, AM 1972, Dykes Medal 1974.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
SHIPSHAPE Massive ruffled flowers of dense medium blue with light yellow beards. Well-branched strong stems. Winner of the Dykes Medal, 1974.

IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris 'Shipshape' (S. Babson, 1968) Cobalt-blue in colour, the ruffled flowers are borne on well branched stems and have short white beards. The petals are shiny, and the flowers are lightly scented. Height 97 cm (38¾in.) Bloom ; mid-season. Parentage : (Pacific Panorama X Epic). Dykes Medal Winner USA 1974.

AIS Checklist 1969
SHIPSHAPE (S. Babson, R. 1968) Sdlg. Q46-11. TB, 38" (97 cm), M., Medium blue self. Pacific Panorama X Epic. Melrose 1969. HC 1968, HM 1970, AM 1972, Dykes 1974.

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Tall bearded Iris PIETY

No mistaking the pleasant light blue cast of the buds before bud break and its Purple based foliage (PBF) two unshakeable identification traits of 'Piety'. Any garden can never have enough white Irises they give a balance that is unbeatable and after all nothing clashes with white. A Classic plus iris that earns it place in the garden.

Dr. Charles E. Branch 329 East Market Street, Piper City. Illinois.
Introducing For 1960
PIETY #5609 ((((Snow Goddess x ((( Winter Carnival x Azure Skies) x White Sentry) x (( Great Lakes x Winter Carnival) x Sib)))) PIETY was so named because it reminds one of quite reverence, devotion and benevolence like the White Angel standing silently in a Christmas tableau. It is a white white with a very light lemon cast to the beard. It is neither plain or fancy, tailored or lacy, but has a full form with semi-flaring, fluted falls and strong domed standards. The hafts are wide and clean. It stands about 36", has fine branching and larger than average flowers. Early-midseason. H.C.1958..........................................NETT $20.00

AIS Bulletin #166, July, 1962,'The Modern White Iris', page 10, Mr.Cahey E. Quinn.
PIETY is Doctor Branch's contribution in 1960 to moonlight statuary. Semi flaring, fluted falls, wide parts, domed standards, very white, a lemon beard and fine branching-so, I read my notes. The name is very apt, but you have to see this one to really appreciate it. This is a personal favorite of mine and it took the garden space of the now old 'NEW SNOW'.

Gilbert H Wild and Son, Inc. Sarcoxie, Missouri.
An Outstanding Selection of quality Peonies- Iris and Daylillies for 1967
PIETY (Branch, 1960)
E.M. 36in. Very pure white with a light lemon cast to the beard. This beauty has full form with domed standards and semi-flaring fluted falls. The hafts are wide and clean. The extra large blooms are shown on well branched stalks.H.M., 1960, A.M., 1963

AIS Checklist 1959
'Piety' (Branch, R. 1957). Sdlg. 5609. TB, 36" (91 cm), E-M. Color Class-W1, . 'Snow Goddess' X sdlg. 5339. Sunnyhills, Branch 1960.H.C 1958, HM 1960, AM 1963.

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Historic Iris 'TIME FOR CHANGE'

When groups of  Irises emerge with characteristics sufficiently different from those that have gone before, the subject of a classification that is determined by a time line needs to be addressed.
When I first began collecting irises it seemed to me that the plants I was collecting from around the old buildings and period houses in New Zealand were 'historic irises', they have blooms that have a certain tailored look with a vintage style that is mostly lost in irises of more recent origin. I then started collecting the irises of Jean Stevens which was a neat fit with my 'Historic Iris collection'.

But there is growing problem with the classification that 'ALL Irises introduced over 30 years ago are considered Historic Irises', as this includes Irises from the 60's, 70's and now a few from the 80's, most of these just don't have that historic 'look'. Almost all of these irises visually are 'Modern Irises' in shape, style and form and each year more irises (650+ next year alone) with that modern look are classified as 'Historic'. This will become a very big branding problem as each year passes and as there are almost 7,000 irises that were registered in the 1980's you can bet this problem is not going to go away anytime soon.

 There was a suggested determination (which I agree with) of a dividing line between historic and antique irises published by 'The Historic Iris Society' in their publication 'ROOTS', Spring 1989, when Phil Edinger in answer to a question suggested "You asked about a dividing line between historical and antique. I would say 1930 ought to be it. By that year (but just by then) all modern colors and patterns (save for Progenitor-type dominant bicolors and luminata) were present at the 4N level. From then on it was a matter of refinement."

 I have heard there has been discussions around the traps on the designation of what constitutes 'a historic iris' but no outcome, so you would have to think there must be a committee involved, but it is starting to get beyond a joke if it ever was funny. From a personal standpoint, new thirty year old irises are old enough to deserve collecting and preserving yet new enough in style of the bloom to be regarded as modern but now they have turned thirty a 'historic iris' label is attached to them which is a confusing classification. This could simply be sorted by having three age-related classifications 'Antique',  'Historical' and 'Classic Collectables', and I see the dividing line drawn where styles dramatically changed from an old-fashioned look toward modern appeal. 'Antique' as Phil Edinger suggested up until 1930 (1929 Checklist), 'Historical' 1930-1959 checklist, and finally 'Classic Collectables' 1960 checklist onwards (must be a least thirty years old).
 
LACED COTTON, GLACIER, HENRY SHAW, and CABARET ROYALE are a few of the irises that I have featured on my blog and these are good examples of highlighting the real problem when you classify a iris as 'historic' but visually these irises do not look different to  any Modern Tall Bearded Iris.
Not 100% sure what history will make of some of the latest Irises with form like ..Tom Johnson's 'Genealogy' or George Sutton's 'Doctor Who'................. you know, tall bearded irises with the standards that look like a punk rockers multicoloured Mohawk haircut slapped on top of rounded falls that look like a Southern Belle's ball gown giving a truly unbalanced look and to be honest I'm not a great fan of, but you never know perhaps in thirty years time we will eventually get a new classification of 'Historic Quirky Styled Bling'.

If we apply the old Chinese proverb 'A picture paints a thousand words' then most of the burgeoning catalogues of digital photos of so called 'Historic Irises' from the 60's, 70's and the few so far from the 80's will just continuously reinforce the growing confused message regarding 'historic's' especially with that very important group known as the gardening public.

My collection nowadays is not so narrowly focused and includes irises from all vintages.

Update 17th September, 2012.
Yes, my hunch was correct there was a committee involved it was known as 'Historic Change Designation Committee' but the committee was unable to come to a consensus on making any changes so 'the current practice of designating iris introduced 30 years or longer to be historic will stand'. Ground breaking huh??
So what to do? I think I will just ignore the Historic Classification and start one of my own, I'm just not prepared to be just a nodding nincompoop and go along with something that is causing mass confusion with the Gardening public. As recently as yesterday I was talking to a lady who just loves Irises about the variety 'Afternoon Delight' and I said to her 'you know that's going to be a Historic Iris next year' and she just would not believe me. Now just how different would that conversation have been if I had told her that her beloved 'Afternoon Delight' was a Classic Tall Bearded Iris??

'Credibility is only a fragile perception that takes time to build but can be lost in a moment.'

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