Tall Bearded Iris TAJ RANI

'Taj Rani' is a very classy iris that has every chance of becoming another of Barry Blyths small but growing list of disappearing gems. Thirty eight years old and some will claim this contemporary iris as Historic because of the thirty year rule, and technically it is, but as I have already stated in one of my September 2012 post "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."
The one really important classification that 'Taj Rani' definitely is, 'it's rare', only grown in three gardens that I know of in New Zealand and I received an email reply today from a ex-commercial grower in Australia who I knew catalogued this iris a few years ago and message stated "I no longer grow Taj Rani. I have found better irises of that colour and it probably was never a huge seller in its time. It probably continues in a number of backyards." So the only known Southern Hemisphere commercial source bites the dust you might say, and I have never seen it commercially listed in any other country. 
The late New Zealand irisarian Shirley Spicer used 'Taj Rani' in her breeding program and it is the pod parent of her 2001 tall bearded introduction 'Bright Fine Gold', and I  know Hooker Nichols used 'Taj Rani' in the breeding of his 1991 introduction 'Diddler' and 'Diddler' (Taj Rani x In Tempo) is the pod parent of 'Scene Stealer' so 'Taj Rani' was/is in the States somewhere perhaps!! 

It's not hard to like this iris a massive amount, with good branching, high plant health, nice clean foliage, reasonable vigour, strong stalks, amazing sooty black purple buds that open into a shimmering smooth voluptuous lavender self with a unique lavender beard tipped tangerine- get it and enjoy it- you can even get to call yourself a conservationist- if you can find it available for sale anywhere that is!!

Tempo Two, Barry and Lesley Blyth, East Road, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia, Season 1983-84
 TAJ RANI  (Blyth '78 Aust.) M 32" . Some 15 years ago we grew a lovely Iris called Lavender Diadem and ever since we have been looking for an improved version, until now none of the hundreds of imported varieties or seedlings have been even near it until Taj Rani first bloomed. It is a silky smooth satin lavender self with perfect form, beards are lavender tipped tangerine. Branching is good. A lovely Iris that has to be seen to be appreciated (Orchid Song x Fond Wish).

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1988 Catalogue.Bearded Iris.
TAJ RANI A silky smooth satin lavender self with perfect form, beards are lavender tipped tangerine.Branching is good. A lovely Iris that has to be seen to be appreciated.

AIS Checklist 1979
TAJ RANI    (B. Blyth, R. 1978). Sdlg. J21-1. TB 32" (82 cm) M.     Ruffled satin lavender self; tangerine beard. Orchid Song X Fond Wish., Tempo Two 1978/79.

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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Barry Blyth's Tall Bearded Iris ABOUT TOWN

'About Town' from a cross with Joe Ghio's 1989 apricot pink 'Bubble Up' X with Barry Blyth's stunning 'Electrique', and the result is a sultry exciting iris with ruffled lilac mauve standards, velvety deep wine red violet falls all set off by a distinctive ruffled pinstriped edge in colour of the standards. Tangerine beards that contrasts nicely against the fall colours. Good plant health. One of the great parents for Barry Blyth.

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue, New Introductions,  1996-1997.
ABOUT TOWN. (Blyth, 96 Aust.) EM 40" We call this a sumptuous Iris, with full, wide, ruffled and laced blooms. The standards are a silvery mauve to silvery lilac; falls are red violet with a ⅛" edge of the standard colour. Beards are tangerine. Branching is very good with 4 and 5 flowering points, and 3 flowers out at once. The most exciting thing for us about 'About Town' is its seedlings. Some of the most laced and ruffled bi-colours are showing up and it is going to be in many, many pedigrees in the coming years.(Bubble Up X Electrique.) Sdlg No. B160-1

AIS Checklist
ABOUT TOWN. (Barry Blyth, R. 1996). Seedling B160-1. TB, Height 40" (102 cm), Early Mid bloom season. Standards silvery mauve lilac; falls red violet, ⅛" silvery mauve lilac edge; beards tangerine; ruffled, laced. Bubble Up X Electrique.

This photo and others recently displayed on this blog and credited to Julie May were taken in 2003 on a Canon PowerShot S45 a 4.1 Megapixel compact point-and-shoot camera, now ain't that something.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Julie May.

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Barry Blyth's Tall Bearded Iris HOSTESS ROYALE

This star performer 'Hostess Royale' was purchased many years ago from Mossburn Irises. It's one of those iron clad irises that has amazing garden presence and visitors to the garden all want to know its name. Excellent branching and with sound, vigorous plant habits. As you can see it's a self of a peach pink tone with a white patch in the center of the fall which highlights the big fat fuzzy deep tangerine orange beards.  All topped off with extravagant ruffles on standards and falls. A welcome late bloomer which is a bit like saving one of the best for last.

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995
HOSTESS ROYALE (Blyth 94 Aust.) M-ML 42" Gorgeous coral peach self with just a small white area around the apricot tangerine beards which are quite thick and lush. Good strong ramrod stems. Again huge flowers and stems, may be to large to get in show bottles. Huge plants, needs plenty of space, but so rewarding. Everyone loves it. Nice sweet fragrance. (Dance Man X Pink Swan) Sdlg.no. A61-2 

AIS Checklist 1999
HOSTESS ROYALE Barry Blyth, Reg. 1994 Sdlg. A61-2. TB, 42" (107 cm), ML Peach with creamy white area around apricot tangerine beards; pronounced sweet fragrance. Dance Man X Pink Swan. Tempo Two 1994/95.

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

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Tall Bearded Iris 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.

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

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Tall Bearded Iris MORNING MAIL

Now if you were delivered this iris in the 'Morning Mail' it would make your day, don't you think??  A stand-out pure orchid-lilac self with a distinctly bright tangerine red beard . Extremely tough and resilient with great branching and a extended bloom period. Absolutely huge carrying power in the garden.

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria. 1998-99 Iris, Daylilies, Hostas, Catalogue.
New Introductions
MORNING MAIL (Blyth 98 Aust) EM 38"
About Town is proving to be an amazing parent for Self's and  Bicolours. This one is a complete self of vibrant orchid lilac with tangerine red beards. Lovely branching with at least 4 places, so a high bud count. Proving to be  a good parent and will win at the shows no doubt. (Cloud Berry X About Town)

AIS  Checklist 1999
MORNING MAIL  Barry Blyth, Reg. 1998 Sdlg. E148-3. TB, 38" (96 cm), EM Orchid lilac self; beards tangerine. Cloud Berry X About Town. Tempo Two 1998/99.

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

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Barry Blyth's 2012 Introductions

'IN HIGH HEELS'
B. Blyth 2012

 The Tempo Two web site has now been updated with all of the photos of his new 2012 Introductions.(Yes folks there are more than three outstanding irises introduced by Barry each season.) Mr. Blyth the generous chap that he is sent these three photo's of his new introductions to share with you all as a preview to the release of one of the finest kaleidoscopes of sensational new Irises for 2012. Checklist descriptions for these varieties are listed at the bottom of this page. Tempo Two gardens will be open to visitors on 3 weekends starting 20th October, 2012 and will have a display in their barn of some of the newer named iris for closer comparison to each other, or if you like you can wander the rows and see how they grow.

'MAKE MINE MAGIC'
B. Blyth 2012

You would have to think it would be a safe bet that 'DECADENCE' is in the parentage somewhere!!

'AVENUE OF DREAMS' 

B. Blyth 2012

 AIS Checklist

AVENUE OF DREAMS Barry Blyth, Reg. 2009. Seedling Q98-1. TB, 40", (102 cm), Early-mid-late bloom season. Standards opalescent creamy pink becoming opalescent lavender-pink at midrib; falls light rosy magenta, 1/8" edge of soft pinkish lilac; beards tangerine in throat, soft blue-lilac at end; pronounced sweet fragrance. N211-5, Art at Dawn sib, X O21-1: (Paris Fashion x H165-9, Aflutter sib). Tempo Two 2112/2013.

IN HIGH HEELS Barry Blyth, reg. 2012. Sdlg No. S216-1, TB, M 34", (Sweet Svengali X (0166-A: (M39-1: (Excuse Me Darling x Mayfair Mistress sib) x Chocolates and Silk sib) x Dinner Talk)). Tempo Two 2012/2013.

MAKE MINE MAGIC  Barry Blyth, reg. 2012. Sdlg No. S299-1, TB, EM 34", 0248-1: (Winsome Dancer sib x (L285-1: Paint The Scene x Dreamlord) x Ocelot) X Another Woman. Tempo Two 2012/2013.

  My thoughts above on the influence of 'DECADENCE' in 'MAKE MINE MAGIC' comes from ANOTHER WOMAN (Blyth '10) which a cross of 'Bursting Bubbles' X 'Decadence'

Click on Catalogue to download

A big hat tip to Barry Blyth for the sending of these beauties and please visit his web site 

As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Barry Blyth

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Tall Bearded Iris 'DECADENCE'

Different? You Betcha! I could of joined the crowd and posted a catalogue shot of 'Decadence' but decided the above photo was a better selection as it accentuates the extraordinary ruffling and lace that have become the hallmark of this iris. Everything about it is extravagant from its bright apricot standards to the band of apricot around the rich red-purple falls that are enhanced with bright tangerine beards, very showy and an excellent parent. Grows with a robust vigour and high health in my garden.
In 2011 'Decadence' was awarded the 'Wister Medal' its the highest award given by The American Iris Society to a Tall Bearded Iris, but because of the AIS eligibility rules it is not allowed to be considered for the US Dykes Medal,(perhaps Australia could do that). Up to and including the year 2010 'Decadence' makes an appearance in the first cross parentage of 90 registered irises and my understanding is there is a lot more to come in 2011 registrations so the genie is well and truly out of the bottle

Tempo Two Iris and Daylilies Catalogue 2004-2004
DECADENCE (Blyth 04 Aust.) M 38". A heavily ruffled and lace creation. The standards are golden apricot with a faint rose midrib flush. Stylearms are creamy apricot ; falls are like plum burgundy with a creamy apricot edge. Beards are tangerine. Now and then in an Iris breeding program, a seedling will emerge that will blow your socks off. Such was the case with Decadence. From its maiden bloom, we knew we had something that was very exciting, despite the fact that its first stem only had 3 buds, and it would not set seed and the pollen also set very few pods. However on its second blooming, it showed itself to be an amazing Iris, not only in its growth, but count and floriferousness, but it had set pods and its pollen also proved to be very fertile. When its first seedling bloomed, they were equally amazing in the variability and of unusually high quality with very few rejects. This does not normally happen with Iris crosses as most seedlings are discarded. After three lots of seedlings have bloomed, we have some 100 or more retained selections and many more to flower in coming years. Its first grandchildren have bloomed and they are quality plus. It is an excellent grower and seems to be very resistant to disease as are most of its progeny.(Temple of Time X Louisa's Song.) Sdlg. No. H83-G

Contemporary Views, Perry Dyer– 2005/2006
 DECADENCE (Blyth 2004) is well-named, with a devilishly inviting combination of golden-apricot standards atop tapestry falls with varying degrees of depth in burgundy, wine, bronze, and mahogany, with edging the color of the standards, encapsulated in deep ruffles and lace. It held its own in cold, wet weather in both Oklahoma and Portland, retaining richness of color and with sufficient substance to keep itself together, when others in similar color combinations fell apart.

AIS Checklist 2001
DECADENCE (Barry Blyth, R. 2001) Sdlg. H83-G. TB, 38" (96 cm), M ; S. creamy apricot, faint rose midrib flush; style arms creamy apricot; F. light plum burgundy, 1/4" creamy apricot edge; beards tangerine; heavily ruffled and laced. Temple of Time X Louisa's Song. Keppel 2004, Tempo Two 2004/05. HM 2006,Walther Cup 2006, AM 2008, John C. Wister Memorial Medal 2010.

Reports from America I've received are that 'Decadence' has a tendency to rot and blooms have trouble opening in some Northern and North Eastern States gardens where winter temperatures are harsh and it isn't unusual for ice to form around rhizomes which causes many problems, especially rot. There are also some reports that it also isn't at home in the hot/humid south. I would also note that I can find no comments explaining these potential problems by commercial growers that supply Rhizomes into these markets.
Recently in January this year there was a discussion with a disappointingly strong xenophobic bent on Iristalk regarding 'Decadence' which visitor to the blog can view by clicking here. The simple and obvious solution for these folks is 'next time try making a quality judgement by selecting a variety that suits your environment and maybe you will be rewarded with less stress coupled with great results !!! Hardly rocket science is it' ???'

Huge hat tip to Barry Blyth for having his great sense of adventure in Hybridising, the iris world is a much more brilliant and interesting place because of it.

Available this season in New Zealand from, Amazing Iris Gardens,South Pacific Epiphyllums and Mossburn Iris Gardens, links left hand column above

Photo from my 'Early Morning Series' where the play of early morning sunlight makes it the best time to be in the garden with a camera. Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded Iris "CABARET ROYALE"

Take crisp medium blue tinted lavender standards, slightly darker violet in the midribs, some ruffled and flaring velvety falls in black violet with white veining on the hafts, add the bushy tangerine beard – and voilà !
With its excellent branching and a sound, vigorous plant which shows quick increase, this child of the seventies, 'Cabaret Royale' is a much loved neglecta and an ancestor to Barry Blyth's highly respected  'In Town'. The outpouring of white veining from the heart of the bloom would have been frowned upon by the Iris Cognoscenti in the seventies but today is now quite the trend.  
At 36 years old 'Cabaret Royale', which can re-bloom, puts on a lovely display in the garden.  Who would have thought Jean Stevens' 'Sunset Snow' would be in the ancestry?  'Sunset Snows' stars as the pollen parent to the pink amoena 'Twist and Shout'. This classic iris was sold to me in New Zealand many years ago labelled as 'Witch's Wand', surely with a smidgen of research they could of labelled it "One of Witch's Wand grandparents" which would of been a lot more appropriate.

There is a dilemma that 'Cabaret Royale' and many other irises of the seventies have in becoming 'Historic Irises'  (because of their thirty years + age). Their form and colouration is not too dissimilar from recently introduced 'Modern Irises'. Let me give you an example; Just how much difference is there between 'Cabaret Royale'  and Paul Blacks 1999 introduction ,'Habit' with its simple flower form?(and a child of 'In Town').  Begging the question that the gardening public is asking  - just how much of a difference is there between a recently classified  Historic Iris and some Modern iris these days????

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1981,  “Varietal comments on Australian T.B. Irises”,  page 50, J. E. Venner.
Jack Venner writes how a selection of Australian raised Tall Bearded irises performed in Essex.
Cabaret Royale (Blyth 76) This Iris created a definite impression when first seen in flower, being one of the first neglectas with bushy, tangerine beards. The standards are a light blue, ruffled with lacy edges and flaring falls are purple with a black sheen. It is a good grower and will satisfy most Irisarians who are tolerant of haft markings, but for the purists there is a new variety bred from it named 'Magic Man' (Blyth 79) that is said to be a all-round improvement and may not show so-called haft defects.

The Iris Yearbook (BIS), 1982,  “Varietal comments on Australian T.B. Irises”,  page 60, C.E.C. Bartlett.
Cy Bartlett writes about a similar range of  Australian raised Tall Bearded irises and how they performed in Somerset. The garden at Cannington presented a complete contrast with Jack Venner's garden in Essex.
Cabaret Royale (Blyth 76) At the opposite end of the scale from the quite calm of 'Asian Empress,'  'Cabaret Royale' is an Iris people love or hate. I.e. must admit that I find that it shreiks just a little too much for me. A blue and black neglecta, heavily haft marked with white and to crown it all violent, bright tangerine red beards. To add yet more colours this style arms of light blue are tipped and washed with brown. You certainly wouldn't overlook it in the garden! Not a particularly good grow for me either.

Tempo Two, Barry and Lesley Blyth, East Road, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia, Season 1983-84
CABARET ROYALE (Blyth '76 Aust.) M-ML 36". Standards are erect, lacy edged and ruffled. They are light biue. Falls are wide, ruffled and very flaring, colour is velvety blue black. Beards are coral tangerine and bushy. Style arms are light blue with a lacy brown edge. Branching is good, as is increase (Panoramic x Twist & Shout). HC '76. $7.00

AIS 1979 Checklist
CABARET ROYALE    (B. Blyth, R. 1975). Sdlg. G104-1. TB 36" (91 cm) M-ML. S. light blue with violet infusion around midribs; light blue style arms tipped brown; F. black violet; coral tangerine beard. Panoramic X Twist and Shout., Tempo Two 1976/77.

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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Barry Blyths 2009-2010 Iris Introductions

Just updated Tempo Two Web Site, with 42 Magnificent New Introductions for 2009-2010 Season portrayed as a slide show. Great eye candy!!!!
An interesting note on the Welcome page states they are in their 13th Year of Drought or Below average rainfall in Southern Victoria, Tall Bearded Irises just loving these conditions.
Barry Blyth is without doubt one of the world's great Iris hybridisers and its always good to see his Iris breeding kaleidescope and a new vision each year.

Click on the web page above to visit or go to http://www.tempotwo.com.au/Tempo_Two/Welcome.html
Big hat tip to Barry and Lesley

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