Heirloom Intermediate Bearded Iris "RED ORCHID"

The first time this heirloom iris unfolded its early blooms at home, there were not enough superlatives to describe it. It was given to me as I. X rothschildii which apparently is one of those natural-hybrid things of pallida-variegata origin, given a specific name in error. But as much as the name on the label the plant came with held some fascination, the plant after some research proved to be 'Red Orchid'.
It has great Historic form with its hangdog falls, and gives the impression of an earlier 19th century Hybrid, this has a lot to do with its close to species pedigree, so its form is right on the money. The Sass 1934 price list calls the colour violet carmine (Ridgway colour), I myself would call 'Red Orchid' the colour of a very good port.
 Very early American Intermediate Irises mainly were results of experimental crosses that the Sass Brothers and other imaginative hybridisers made by crossing an imported dwarf form under the name 'Iris pumilla' and their selected dwarf crosses, with the tall bearded species I.trojana and I.mesopotamica and the varieties Amas and Caterina. (AIS bulletin #38  January, 1931.)
'Red Orchid' is one of eighteen Intermediate Irises registered by the Sass Brothers in the nineteen thirties and a good proportion of their intermediates proved to be rebloomers, unfortunately 'Red Orchid' is not one of them.
I recently purchased a catalogue, 'Cooleys Gardens' 1938, and on page 42 (just click on the page displayed below) under the heading "And now Indian Summer in the Iris Garden" you can see it lists 'Red Orchid' and many other Sass Brother's introductions, also listed are several introductions by Eric Nies,of Spuria breeding fame, also featured two introductions of Clint McDade of Tennessee who was recorded in the 1939 Checklist as "An Iris breeder particularly fond of Autumn-blooming Irises. Has raised some seedlings and imported many European varieties." Mr McDade was the author of the book 'Rainbow's end, or, Journeys of an iris lover, 1932 season' .

Irises grown by Robert Wayman, Bayside New York, Irises 1936.
RED ORCHID A new Sass rich red toned intermediate, the reddest of all to date. Velvety falls with deep orange beard.

Maple Road Gardens, Jacob Sass, Omaha, Nebraska, Sass Iris List 1937.
RED ORCHID (Jacob Sass, 1934)- 0ur reddest intermediate. Standards violet carmine; Falls velvety violet carmine. Dark yellow beard. 28 inches .......................... 50c

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon 1938 Catalogue

RED ORCHID Very early flowering intermediate, glowing like a coal fire in the morning and evening light. Deep red in effect, violet carmine technically, it is so recent as to be hardly known as yet but certain to be popular when the public has seen it in flower. Height 28 inches

Hill Iris & Peony Farm Lafontaine, Kansas, 1945RED ORCHID (J. Sass 1934) Very red intermediate, rich violet carmine......$0.25
(Horace Hill the owner of Hill Iris and Peony Farm was another of the early pioneers of reblooming irises.)

AIS Checklist 1939
Red Orchid IB 28" E R7D (Sass J,1934) Sass 1934; Tip Top 1938; Wass 1938; R., 1933 ((R pumila x ... ) x (DR TB seedling), HM., A.I.S 1936; Bull A.I.S. 63: 64. Oct 1936

'Cooleys Garden 1938' Catalogue page 42

As a matter of interest The Greater Omaha Iris Society has a great web site which includes information on the Sass Memorial Gardens.

Available from Woottens of Wenhaston, Suffolk, England.

As always clicking on the above images will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

A big Hat Tip to Phil Edinger and Mike Unser for their candid observations and discussions in this regard.

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 "COFFEE CAPRI"

An absolute tried and true introduction from Barry Blyth still growing well and appreciated by a select group of gardeners in New Zealand. An exceptionally vigorous grower that consistently blooms on strong well branched stalks, and is bright enough not to have been disregarded as a so called "yesterday's" Iris.

In theory 'Coffee Capri' could be regarded as a Variegata when looking at the falls which the red colouration is definitely much darker and redder than the bluff red standards.
Variegata as a colour classification is defined in late 1950 publications as been ‘Having yellow or golden standards and brown, red, purple, or violet falls’. The historic irises like Hans Sass "Rameses", Amos Perry's "Mrs H. F. Bowles", and the Arthur Bliss "Dusky Maid" are earlier introduction's in the Variegata colour theme. To take this 1950 definition a little further, the likes of “Edith Wolford” generally described as a Bi-Color with its soft delicate light yellow standards and quiet, rippling blue-lavender falls could also be a variegata.
36 years old makes 'Coffee Capri" a mighty fine looking Historic Iris.

AIS Checklist 1979
'Coffee Capri' ( B. Blyth, R. 1975). Sdlg. G71-1. TB, 38" (97 cm), M. S. buff; F. buff, overlaid and veined red, edged buff; bronze beard. 'Apropos' X 'Latin Lover'. Tempo Two 1975/76

As you will see on the Pedigree chart below its only a few generations from Paul Cook's 'Whole Cloth'





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 "BLENHEIM ROYAL"

An Iris that is a real privilege to grow at home 'Blenheim Royal' is everything a grower wants in a Iris, it's quick to make a impressive clump that forms a captivating display of award winning blooms on show stalks. It grows along side Schreiners Tall Bearded iris 'Breakers' and Maryotts 1982 Tall Bearded iris, 'Scented Nutmeg' (yes it really has a nutmeg scent).These three would have to be among the greats in the modern, Mid Dark Blue colour tones, making a big splash of blue at bloom time,.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 74th Collectors Edition, 1999 Iris Lovers Catalog.
BLENHEIM ROYAL (Schreiner 1990) M. 38"
Blenheim Royal offers a peerless combination of rich royal purple coloration and exquistely ruffles flower. Sturdy stems sport 6-7 buds on three branches. HM '92. AM '94.

IRIS Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor.
MID DARK BLUE
BLENHEIM ROYAL is another Iris in rich mid to dark blue with a cream beard. Flowers are very well formed and of attractive balance between standards and falls. This Iris has an extra something that sets it apart from others, and as seen at Schreiner's Gardens in Oregon in 1994, is a outstanding garden Iris. This was verified by a similar performance at Hillview in 1995 where tall, strong spikes carrying eight or more buds were in bloom from mid-season for an extended period. All garden habits of 'Blenheim Royal' are excellent and it increases quickly. It is from complex breeding involving 'Sailor's Dance', 'Navy Strut', 'Full Tide', 'Master Touch', a 'Miriam Steel seedlings'.

AIS Checklist 1999.
BLENHEIM ROYAL Schreiner 1990 Tall Bearded 38" Mid Ruffled medium blue; beards cream. R 35-1: ((D 1147-A, Miriam Steel sib, x Sailor's Dance) x (Navy Strut x Full Tide)) X R 214-B: (Master Touch x unknown HM'92, AM'94

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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"GARDENS ILLUSTRATED", Better Late than Never

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With my busy schedule in the construction industry I rarely find the time and solace to escape to the Wellington City Library (almost just across the street) where I get to put the ever ringing cell phone on silent and peruse the small selection of International Garden magazines. Yesterday was one of these rare opportunities.
The latest BBC Gardens Illustrated Magazine displayed at the library is stamped as received 28th March 2011, and it is the February 2011 Edition, the Cover feature is "100 Must Have Garden Plants" apparently chosen by top designers and gardeners. Quickly, I thumbed through the article only to find that sadly, Irises of any varieties or species did not make the cut.
Somewhat perplexed at this mistaken omission of the great species, and not unreasonably thinking that Irises would have taken 5 out of the 10 top placings, I continued to flick through the magazine when a superb photo of a well known Iris caught my eye. It was the intriguingly-patterned flower 'Katharine Hodgkin',a reticulata Iris hybrid of I.winogradowii X I.histrioides,and to my surprise a full plant profile feature titled "Winter Iris".
The 8 page article by Christine Skelmersdale of Broadleigh Gardens fame is well written, informative, and covers the winter flowering species of Irises, and has amazing photos by Rachel Warneto . Tips on growing these Irises and just as importantly where these bulbs and plants can be purchased are included (Hooray!!)

I'm so annoyed that it has taken me some three months to read this informative article, so to make sure this will not happen again, I signed up online for a 12 month subscription of "Gardens Illustrated" which will be delivered to "my door" apparently faster than a speeding bullet. (Most unlikely if our New Zealand Post is in the mix)
Whilst there still may be time to get to a Garden Centre and purchase some reticulata or histrioides Iris bulbs in New Zealand, Northern Hemisphere readers will have to wait until autumn to purchase bulbs or plants.

In New Zealand should you want to get your hands on this Edition of "Gardens Illustrated" it is the current issue available at your Newsagent and I had no trouble yesterday, purchasing a copy from 'Borders Book Store.'  Northern Hemisphere readers and for that matter Southern Hemisphere readers you can all order 'Past Issues' or Subscribe to "Gardens Illustrated" by clicking your mouse here or the image above.

With monthly circulation figures of 34,033 copies, sold in more than 70 Countries, and a monthly readership of approximately 180,000, from me its a big Hat Tip to "Gardens Illustrated" for its very sophisticated promotion of Irises to the Greater Gardening public. Well done!!!

*****

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" YOUR IRIS GARDEN", "Plan it When the Irises are in Bloom"

Your Iris Garden, Plan it When the Irises are in Bloom
By Jean Stevens


The right time to plan the rearrangement of a bed of Bearded Irises is not when one goes to purchase new varieties in December, or when one starts to lift and divide up an old-established bed. To leave the choice of new varieties and new colour schemes until planting time is to rely on a memory of colours. Even when one has a keen colour sense and a good memory, it is next to impossible to avoid at least some mistake, and a single mistake in placing different colours, even if it does not jar badly, will bring a feeling of regret.
Very often one hears the remark, "I wish I hadn't planted THAT variety against THIS variety," or "I wish I had placed a yellow or cream among that group. It would have lightened the whole planting." Such repining and regrets are easily avoided if one plans a little while the irises are in flower in November. If the bed is to be altered in its colour scheme, plan the alterations while you have the blooms to guide you. The modern Bearded Iris has such endless variations of both colour and tone. It is not enough to plan, for instance, to put a blue next to that pink.
Decide while you can, WHICH blue will give the best effect. Done at flowering time the work of planning the new planting is not a task but an enjoyment.
Even when it is not intended to lift and replant the whole bed, one often sees, if one takes the thought to look and compare, just how the planting may be made more attractive, by adding one variety to this corner, planting another lighter tone in the background, or removing one variety to another position. After all, colour is a very comparative commodity. We designate a flower "blue" or "pink." Place the blue against a white and it looks very blue; place it against another blue and it may appear lavender or purple. Again the pink may appear a true pink against a warm cream or a blue, but lavender against a salmon or pink and gold blend. Still again, in the matter of contrasts, a great deal of the ultimate colour effect depends on the TONE of the contrasting colours. Depth or lightness of colour tone is all important in producing colour symphonies.
There are, of course, general rules to guide us, but these rules are far from infallible, and even if they do not lead us into pitfalls, it is just a matter of luck if we avoid that impersonal, characterless grouping one too often sees in garden colour colourful contrast, one must also keep in mind that 'Joanna' on the one side, and 'Golden Hind' on the other, will be in conjunction with other varieties. That is, perhaps, not so hard, but remember also, what is going behind, and what, if any, are going into the foreground.
Tall varieties, as a matter of course, will go into background, where I have found it useful to remember to plant a good quantity of light or pale shades. 'Magnolia' (cream), 'Pink Advance', 'California Gold', 'Cedar' (pinky bronze), 'Golden Treasure' (light gold and cream), 'Pink Opal' (lilac), 'Miss California' (pink), 'Pale Moonlight' (silvery blue), and 'Winter Carnival' (giant flaring white) make ideal background varieties. Rich colours, such as 'Sierra Blue', 'The Red Douglas' (wine red), 'Richmond' (rosy carmine), 'Milson' (brown and crimson), 'Crimson Banner' (crimson), 'Dark Knight' (mahogany) and 'Destiny' (black-purple and bronze), being tall, must also go into the background, but should not be grouped together, but planted with the lighter tones to brighten and enhance their colours.
The middle background gives the gardener the greatest scope, and the planning and selection here will give the main character and colour effect. This is the situation for the bright colours, and here one may let himself go with pleasing contrasts. Trial will confirm some surprisingly good effects. Not having thought of it, I was surprised to find Rangitikei and Inspiration very pleasing planted with 'California Gold', also 'Rangitikei' and 'Golden Hind'. Dark rich tones, such as 'Joanna', 'The Black Douglas', 'Destiny', 'Sable', require very rich gold’s to adequately lighten and display them, while light pinks, lilacs, light blues, and blends, look infinitely better if their foils are also light toned. In other words, in contrasts, light tones require light tones, and deep tones require deep tones in their contrasting neighbours. 'New Dawn', 'Mountain Lake', 'California Gold', 'Capri', and 'King Russet' are useful for lightening effects in the middle background. In planting blues and yellows in contrast, use pure yellows, the depth of tone of the yellow depending on the depth of tone of the blue. 'Brunhilde', 'The Black Douglas', and 'Joanna', for instance, require the deep gold tones of 'Golden Hind' and 'Coromandel', while 'Exclusive' (silver blue) looks very lovely with 'Magnolia' (cream), and 'Shining Waters' and 'Aline' (clear light blues) with 'California Gold'.
In pastel groupings two or three medium-toned blues and pinks will give character to, without destroying the delicacy of the colour effect. 'Harebell' and 'Sandia' are excellent for this purpose.
As varieties, even in the same colour class, differ greatly in their garden colour value, I will give here a list of varieties I have found most suitable for their respective purposes. They are good bases about which to build a planting plan.

Background varieties:
'Magnolia' (the best all round background variety I know), 'Pink Advance', 'Dark Knight', 'Sierra Blue', 'Golden Treasure', 'California Gold', and 'Destiny'.

Foreground varieties:
'Aline', 'Cardinal Wolsey', 'Golden Hind', 'Winston Churchill', 'Firelight', 'Lake Alice', 'Kapiti', 'Surprise', and 'Moonglo'.

Varieties to add Brightness:
'Inspiration', 'Richmond', 'Golden Hind', 'California Gold', 'Firelight', 'Naranja', 'Radiant', and 'City of Lincoln'.

Varieties to add Depth of Colour:
Brunhilde, Cardinal Wolsey, Rangitikei, Joanna, Golden Hind, Wellington, The Black Douglas, The Red Douglas, Red Dawn, Mrs. J. L. Gibson, Crimson Banner, and Beowulf.

Varieties to Lighten the Effect:
'Magnolia', 'California Gold', 'Pink Advance', 'New Dawn', 'Angelus', 'Exclusive', 'Golden Treasure', 'Fair Elaine', 'Lagos', 'Los Angeles’,’Mountain Lake', 'Pale Moonlight', and 'Seduction'.
It will be noticed that many varieties have double utility value. In conclusion, I should strongly advise the planting of a fair proportion of blues and yellows in any planting. Even if one does not care for yellow or blue as a colour, the omission of those colours from a planting of Bearded Irises will deprive the whole planting of its essential character, and the colour scheme will prove to have a sense of something lacking.

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Lake Alice, Richmond, Kapiti, Mountain Lake, and Red Dawn, all mentioned in the above article were hybridised by Jean Stevems and introduced by Stevens Bros in their various catalogues in the early 1940s when their nursery was located in the Rangitikei township of "Bulls". None of these cultivars appear in any checklists meaning they were not registered, perhaps the result of correspondence lost during the war years. When colouration is a consideration, this article is just as relevant today as when it was first published and is courtesy of the New Zealand Gardener, October 1945.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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New Zealand Heirloom Tall Bearded Iris 'DESTINY'

Happy New Year to you all and a great way to start the new decade is with the Jean Stevens (nee Burgess) heirloom and historic tall bearded iris "Destiny". In 1928 using the rich purple blue iris with a heavy gold beard that Ferdinand Denis had named 'Aurelle', and crossing it with a iris Jean referred to at the time as ' The finest in our collection' the 1925 Arthur Bliss introduction 'Mrs Valerie West' It was a most successful cross and labeled E53 it produced a bumper crop of seeds totaling 88. From the planted seeds, seven Irises where selected for registration by Jean in 1934, the seedling registered as 'Destiny' having the most success.
Her notes on the blooming in 1931 records the seedling 1/E53 as, S. deep fawn purple; F. rich dark purple nearly black, velvety; Substance exceptional; Shape good; L. 4 ft.
Although it was registered in 1934, 'Destiny' was introduced to New Zealand gardeners commercially in 1932 and was first listed in the Waikanae Irises Catalogue 1932 for the princely price of forty two shillings with the following description: DESTINY, This is an exceptionally fine variety of our own raising and has been much admired in our own gardens. Standards deep purple, shaded fawn; Falls rich dark purple, almost black. this is a flower of great substance and good form 4ft.

Orpington Nurseries Co Ltd, Kent, England. 1934
Destiny (Burgess 1934)
Mr Pilkington told us about this handsome and distinct iris, and when we saw it in bloom, we strongly confirmed the good opinion his enthusiasm had created. The standards are deep purple suffused bronze, and the falls are purple-black very velvety and of great substance. this is a hybrid of Mrs Valerie West and is the darkest iris we have seen yet. Height 4 ft.

In 1934 The Iris Society (BIS) awarded Destiny a Bronze Medal and was selected for trial at Wisley. Waikanae Irises catalogue reflected this new status of 'Destiny' 

Waikanae Irises, A.H. Burgess & Son, Irises 1935.
DESTINY This iris a seedling of our own raising was shown at a Royal Horticultural Show in London in June 1934 where it created a sensation. It was awarded a Bronze Medal by the Iris Society and was selected for trial at Wisley, the first award made to an Iris raised in the Southern Hemisphere.S. deep purple suffused bronze. F.purple-black very velvety and of great substance Late 21 shillings.
  (After just 3 years growing at The Royal Horticultural Society, Wisley Trials, 'Destiny' in 1938 with 79 points was awarded a Award of Merit (AM) just missing a First Class Certificate by one point.)

The Iris Society Year Book 1938, Visit to Wisley. 10th June 1938', Geoffrey Pilkington.

 "I was interested to see Mrs Stevens (nee Burgess) DESTINY a Wisley carrying two very fine spikes of bloom. this is a superb Iris dark yet rich and attracts the immediate attention of the visitors. It does not seen to have acclimatised well in this country as yet, and the Wisley flower spikes where much better than any I ever grew of this variety. The judges will "Stop" when they see it next week."

At the request of Robert Schreiner the Iris was exported from New Zealand to America and in 1940, Schreiner's, at time located in St.Paul, Minnesota listed Destiny in their catalogue with the following description;
DESTINY Burgess 1934 M. 38" The antipodean origination which has made quite a name for itself in England; is a rich somber toned iris with exceedingly velvety broad falls of black plum purple coloring, deep purple standards and a rich gold beard. Destiny is especially effective in a garden when planted with 'Beowulf ' a complimentary color in maroon.

Cooley's Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris for 1949
DESTINY (Burgess 1934)
A great heavy flower of deepish blackish bronze purple, the beard a rich golden bronze. From New Zealand and credit is due to its originator for having made it possible for American gardens to enjoy such an outstanding iris. It has all good points- excellent form- tall stems and succeeds everywhere.

Stevens Bros, Bastia Hill, Wanganui. Irises 1957-58.
DESTINY (Burgess)
This majestic iris possesses a real dignity all of its own. The standards are a deep purple, shaded bronze, whilst the falls are purple black. A deep golden beard produced well down the velvet black, entirely unveined fall, enhances the depth of the colour. A superb and well-finished variety in every respect. Late. 4’

New Zealand Iris Hybridiser's Cumulative Checklist, 2010.
DESTINY Miss E.J. Burgess, R.1934. Sdlg. 1/E53 TB, 48″, M-L, S9D. S. deep fawn purple; F. rich dark purple nearly black, velvety; Substance exceptional; Shape good; Description E.J Burgess Studbook notes,‘1928 flowering’; Aurelle x Mrs Valerie West; Waikanae Irises 1932; Orpington.1934;1938. Bronze Medal, I.S.(E.) 1934; Yr. Bk., I.S.(E.) 29. 1934; A.M., Reg., R.H.S. 1938; Yr. Bk., I.S. (E.) 44. 1938; 10A. 434.

What is amazing about this Iris is that it is widely grown correctly labeled overseas.' Destiny' is still catalogued as growing in R.H.S garden collections in Ireland and England which has been confirmed, but only a few grow or know they are growing this iris in New Zealand.

The above photo was sent to me by Phil Edinger who has proudly grown 'Destiny' in his California gardens for many years. Phil is the Historic Iris Societies I.D. Chair which removes any likely-hood of the Iris been incorrectly named by others.
A big hat tip to Phil, you are a legend

Clicking the above image will automagically take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Phil Edinger

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Pacific Coast Iris

Fashions in Iris breeding and the end result, the blossom's are constantly changing. Pacific Coast Irises are little known Irises,outside Iris circles. Flowering well ahead of the Tall Bearded Irises,the evergreen, tough plants, and could become a landscape designers dream plant should they ever become available commercially.

Paid a visit to a good friend and Iris colleague Gareth Winters and his fantastic collection of Pacific Coast Iris seedling, mostly all his own crosses. Totally amazing how these Irises have advanced in colour and form over the past decade.
Gareth is a great writer on all things horticulture which is very evident in his blog 'Irises and Archives', he is the Editor of the biannual journal 'ALMANAC' for the Society for Pacific Coast Native Iris, Writes a weekly garden page for the local Newspaper 'The Wairarapa Times Age' , and the Archivist for the Wairarapa Archive.













Clicking the image's will automagically take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Will post some more photos from this collection soon.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Freesia alba Burtonii

Freesia alba Burtonii
Iridaceae

This plant is a New Zealand classic garden icon, blooms with an amazing perfume that for me heralds the start of spring.
It is a sport of Freesia refracta alba, is much improved and is a very fragrant white flower of outstanding quality and size.
A bulb flower that is almost a pure creamy-white with yellow lower lip which is quite free from outer purple markings, and is twice the size of Freesia refracta alba.
It appeared by chance in the private Nelson gardens of Mrs Burton in the 1930's and the owner conferred a benefit on posterity by segregating and propagating it.
The flowers are generally sterile and seed is very seldom seen, so stock must be increased by divisions which is helped by its vigorous growth creating large bulbs.
Great for mass plantings and for picking as flowers are produced abundantly for two months from early spring.
A bulb variety that got lost in the clamour of 'big box' garden centres to sell the latest and greatest using the 'one plant fits all' criteria, which inevitably created a lack of retail demand for this variety so it was taken off commercial growers catalogues. Freesia alba Burtonii can now can only generally be found on garden groups sales tables, so if you can find it, get it, I guarantee you will enjoy it!


As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. Reproduction in whole or in part of this post, its opinions or its images without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited. Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.  

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New Zealand Native "Clematis paniculata"

New Zealand Native Clematis paniculata (syn. C. indivisa)

Our beautiful native Clematis which the Maoris call 'puawhananga' apparently meaning the 'The Sacred Flower' is a stand out spring feature dotted on the Hills of Bush I drive over each day on my journey to work. The starry white, lightly scented blossoms that herald the Spring, are up to four inches across, and on mass in the native bush look like small patches of snow on the tops of trees. All of the nine species of Clematis native to New Zealand are evergreen, and of these C. paniculata is the largest flowered and most spectacular. In Autumn it again features a grand display with its fluffy silvery seed heads.
Simply grown up the side of a tree as in its native habitat, and as with almost all clematis keep its root run cool, I give it a feed annually in the Autumn with some good quality leaf mould, then all that is required is 'Do not disturb'.

It is a pity that this native species is not more widely grown in New Zealand gardens, as it can be easily propagated by cuttings or seed.

Photo taken in the early morning sun in the garden this morning.

Clicking the above image will automagically take you to the larger, higher resolution version.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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