Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris BANBURY RUFFLES

Blooming today. The registered colour description of 'Banbury Ruffles' is a rich blue self but really the colour is more of a rich velvet blue violet. The falls are highlighted by a deep rich bold red purple halo that surrounds the white beards that are tipped a in soft amethyst. Superb bloom placement and display  and quickly becomes an excellent garden subject because of its outstanding strong growing habits. Super clean foliage that is proportional with the bloom, all and all a very well balanced and attractive Standard Dwarf Bearded iris.

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 57th Annual, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1982.
LILLIPUTS
BANBURY RUFFLES bounteously ruffled rich blue.

IRISES A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris 'Banbury Ruffles' (D. Reath, 1970) The rich violet flowers have white beards tipped violet and surrounded by large maroon-purple patches. The petals are serrated around the edges and gently curl outwards. Height 38cm (15in) Bloom very early season. Parentage Seedling X Nylon Ruffles.

AIS Checklist 1979
BANBURY RUFFLES D. Reath, Reg. 1970 Sdlg. A-6-64. SDB, 15" (38 cm), VE Rich blue self with darker blue spot on F.; ruffled. A-6-60 X Nylon Ruffles. Schreiner's 1970. HC 1968, HM 1971.

There is a outside chance 'Banbury Ruffles' is still commercially grown in New Zealand somewhere, fortunately  I was able to purchase my plants on Trade Me from hctnz (Lyn Nell) a Mid-Canterbury gardener who sends generous plants that have great plant health and  I have no hesitation to recommend highly.
Clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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The Peacock Iris 'Moraea villosa'

Insanely beautiful, commonly known as 'The Peacock Iris', Moraea is a genus of plants in the family Iridaceae (Yip, that's the 'Iris Family'). This is the species 'Moraea villosa' blooms from September to October, and flowers last several days. The more white looking blooms are from bulbs that were sold labelled as 'Moraea aristata' the endangered species but I very much doubt that they are M.aristata. Still with a display like this whats to complain???
Moraea villosa is endemic to the Western Cape of Africa and was once renown for mass spring flower displays in the Cape lowlands, sadly not so common nowadays as their habitat has been replaced with wheat fields and urban sprawl. Plant is now classified as vulnerable. In New Zealand both bulbs and seed can sometimes be purchased online but only in very small quantities.

Should you desire the need for further in-depth reading on Moraeas I can highly recommend these two books ;

The Moraeas of Southern Africa. National Botanic Gardens in association with the Missouri Botanical Garden, Cape Town. Goldblatt, P. 1986.
I am very fond of Botanical paintings and I appreciate the watercolours in this book by Fay Anderson, both the plants portrayed and paintings themselves are absolutely stunning.

The Iris Family: natural history & classification. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon.  Goldblatt, P. & Manning, J.C. 2008. 

Thought I would take the photo today before the thunderstorm weather we are getting this spring lays the blooms to waste.
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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Miniature Tall Bearded Iris PARTURIENT

An absolute classic Miniature Tall Bearded Iris in a colour tone I'm quite partial to. Small, compact, well shaped flowers are a very bright red brown blend. Standards are a blend of honey to smooth red . Falls are darker dusky red brown edged with a narrow honey gold of the standards. Bright yellow beard. It is floriferous, and makes a stunning clump.

Riverdale Iris Gardens, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1984 Price List.
PARTURIENT (J. Boushay, 1980)
Ruffled red-brown, darker falls...............................................$4.00

Rossmore Gardens, Oaklands, Christchurch. Iris Catalogue 2001.
PARTURIENT (J. Boushay, 1980) Ruffled red-brown with yellow beards. Limited Supply.

AIS Checklist 1989
PARTURIENT (J. Boushay, R. 1980). Sdlg. 74-BB-1. MTB, 18" (46 cm), E. S. smooth red brown; F. darker red brown; yellow beard; ruffled. New Idea X  Jolly Fellow. J. & J. Iris 1980.

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

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Helleborus x Double Hybrid

Hellebores are beautiful perennial garden plants that are in bloom in our garden from mid-winter to mid-spring. This is one beautiful double white spotted hellebore blooming in the garden today. I purchased this vigorous good health plant from the Telford family Clifton Homestead Nursery. These plants are grown from seed and as the plants are not species each plant although true to a particular colour type in this case double white spotted burgundy, but each plant is not strictly speaking identical which makes each plant a one-off delight that I cherish. Clifton Homestead Nursery have many Hellebores to choose from with single and double hybrid cultivars, also there are other species selections that are worth growing in any garden during the winter.

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

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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.

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

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How to Hybridise Bearded Iris, Iris Genetics and Hybridizing with Dr. Kenneth Kidd -- PART 2

As the new Iris season is getting close, and for those of us thinking about giving Iris Hybridising a go this season, you would have to agree it was very good timing that  GardenClips producer Patrick Volk sent me this message today "I was recently shooting video of irises at the Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale University when we ran into Dr Kenneth K. Kidd, Professor of Genetics, of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine who dabbles in breeding bearded iris and he graciously agreed on the spot to show us how he does it. Your readers may find these videos to be a useful visual aid".
In the book 'The World of Irises' Chapter 26 'Iris genetics' was written by the very same Dr.Kenneth Kidd in 1978 and is still a relevant and interesting read, very useful when your hybridizing becomes just a little more serious than fun.The art and fun of iris hybridising is in choosing which pollen parent to cross on which pod parent.



 Big hat tip to Patrick Volk and the team at GardenClips.com

How to hybridize iris, pollinating irises, how to cross pollinate irises, how to cross bearded iris, pollinating bearded iris, iris cross pollination, hybridizing irises, iris hybridizing, hybridizing bearded iris, How to Hybridise a Bearded Iris

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How to Hybridise Bearded Iris, Iris Genetics and Hybridizing with Dr. Kenneth Kidd -- PART 1

As the new Iris season is getting close, and for those of us thinking about giving Iris Hybridising a go this season, you would have to agree it was very good timing that  GardenClips producer Patrick Volk sent me this message today "I was recently shooting video of irises at the Marsh Botanical Garden at Yale University when we ran into Dr Kenneth K. Kidd, Professor of Genetics, of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine who dabbles in breeding bearded iris and he graciously agreed on the spot to show us how he does it. Your readers may find these videos to be a useful visual aid".
In the book 'The World of Irises' Chapter 26 'Iris genetics' was written by the very same Dr.Kenneth Kidd in 1978 and is still a relevant and interesting read, very useful when your hybridizing becomes just a little more serious than fun.The art and fun of iris hybridising is in choosing which pollen parent to cross on which pod parent.




  Big hat tip to Patrick Volk and the team at GardenClips.com

How to hybridize iris, pollinating irises, how to cross pollinate irises, how to cross bearded iris, pollinating bearded iris, iris cross pollination, hybridizing irises, iris hybridizing, hybridizing bearded iris, How to Hybridise a Bearded Iris

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Tall Bearded Iris BOLD VISION

 

Long blooming, dramatic, and bold. It's a wonderful rich deep yellow iris with falls banded nearly an inch thick in a airbrushed brownish-red. A white zonal spot highlights the bright orange gold beards. Stalks are strong, of moderate height, with good branching, amazing coloured buds. Fred Kerr suggests 'Bold Vision' is a zonal variegata, Perry Dyer  suggests it is a Emma Cook Pattern. I just think its a ray of sunshine.

Contemporary Views, 2003-2004, Perry Dyer– Emma Cook Pattern.
BOLD VISION (Kerr 2000) is from the same hybridizer which gave us another Emma Cook type, ‘Queen’s Circle’, but the pattern is the only thing that is similar. Color combination, instead, is rich yellow standards and falls, then precisely banded in bold brown-red. Yellow beards blend in to the base color. A nice advancement over an earlier Emma Cook type introduction from Fred, ‘Dear Jean’, with richer color and more elegant banding. It is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.

Fred Kerr's, Rainbow Acres, North Highlands, California.
BOLD VISION (Kerr 2000)  29" Early through late. (Citoyen X Lena Baker sib) The latest of our line of zonal variegatas. Bold Vision has the darkest red band of the line. The one and a quarter inch fall band surrounds dark yellow center with a startling white area just under the gold beards. The standards are of darkest yellow. Good bud count. HM 2002 AM 2006 

AIS Checklist 1999
BOLD VISION Frederick Kerr, Reg 1999. Sdlg. 936307. TB, 29" (74 cm), EML. S. dark yellow; F. dark yellow, lighter around gold beard, wide brownish red band; ruffled, flared. Citoyen' X 9111A, Dear Jean sib. Rainbow Acres 2000.

Available in New Zealand from Richmond Iris Garden.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.  

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IRIS SHOWS 2013

Iris 'Irwell Angels Dream'

ACCENT ON IRIS FLOWER SHOW
Burrell Creek Hall, The Bucketts Way
Burrell Creek, New South Wales
17 km’s from the Taree Service Centre or 17 km’s north of Krambach.
19th October, 2013
Saturday 10 am to 3 pm
Quality Iris on Display and For Sale, also Daylilies and Fresh Flowers
Light Refreshments available
Do consider entering the flower show.You may win a prize for your effort,
or, just add to the days Spring display!
The Show Schedule is on the website, or contact Lyz to receive one.
Entry Cost: $3.00
KINSPIRIT IRIS & DAYLILY FARM
Phone 6559 1275

  
THE IRIS SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES REGION
2013 IRIS SHOW
Wentworth Falls School of Art Hall
Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls (near railway station)
October 26th, 2013
Saturday 9.00 am.to 4.00 pm.
All entries to be displayed on Friday, 25th October for judging that afternoon
Potted Iris, Rhizomes, Seeds, Craft Items, Cottage Plants for Sale,
Cultural Information, Lunch and Teas available
Admission $5 (Concessions for seniors) Children under 16 free
Wheelchair access
Information: 02 47842727
Email: dicoxiris@bigpond.com

MORRINSVILLE HORTICULTURE SOCIETY ROSE & IRIS SHOW
Campbell Hall, Knox Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St, Morrinsville
Friday, 1st November, 2013.
Entries at the hall on the morning of the day
Open to Public: 12 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Inquiries: Jan Kerkin
Ph: (07) 889 3607
Email: jan@kerkin.co.nz

HOBART HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY INC. ROSE, IRIS & FLORAL ART SHOW
Hobart Town Hall – 50 Macquarie Street, Hobart   (opposite the GPO)
1st and 2nd November, 2013
Friday 1.00 - 6.00 pm. Saturday 10.00 am - 4.30 pm.
Please come along on Thursday night or Friday morning to enter some exhibits in the novice section.
There is no cost to entering any of these shows.  New exhibitors desperately needed. 
Tubes and vases can be provided or you can use clean green bottles if you have them.
Other iris members are present on Thursday night to help show you how to display your irises.
Admission is free 

POVERTY BAY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ROSE & IRIS SHOW
Showgrounds Park and Events Centre, Gisborne
2nd & 3rd November 2013
Saturday 1.30 - 4.00 pm. Sunday 9.30 am - 3.30pm.
Entry fee is $5 adults, children free.
For further details contact the Show Secretary, Jill Coates, 06 8631310.

RANGITIKEI IRIS SHOW 2013
Palmerston North Leisure Centre, 569 Ferguson Street.
2nd & 3rd November 2013
Saturday 1.00 - 4.00 pm. Sunday 10.00 am - 4.00pm. 
Public welcome to exhibit at 10am on Saturday.
Free to exhibit and free admission.
Sales tables with over 300 plants, and raffles.
Contact Julie 06 3579925.
 

MASTERTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 2013 IRIS SHOW
Young Citizens Hall, Chapel Street, Kuripuni, Masterton
Saturday, 2nd November 2013 1pm-4pm, 
Display of Irises, Plant Sales, and Christmas Raffle
Admission $2.00
New rule ; To continue exhibiting after the first year you must pay $10.00 fee and become a member.

HUTT VALLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY EARLY SUMMER SHOW
Horticultural Hall, Laings Rd, Lower Hutt
9th, & 10th November, 2013
Saturday 12.00pm. - 4.30 pm. Sunday 10.00 am - 4pm.
All entries must be received by 9.30 am on Saturday morning of the show
Judging commences at 10.30 am sharp
Entry fee is $2.50 adults, members & children free.
For further details contact the Secretary (04) 479 5548

MARTINBOROUGH ROSE & IRIS SHOW
Martinborough Town Hall,
Saturday 9th November 2013
12.00 noon until 4.00pm
Everyone is encouraged to enter their blooms.
Admission Gold coin Donation

We encourage everyone to enter their blooms.

We encourage everyone to enter their blooms.

For a Show Schedule and All Inquiries
Contact Maree Roy (06) 3069319 or Yvonne Harvey (06) 3069553

HAWERA AUTO COURT EGMONT A & P ASSOCIATION SUMMER SHOW
Showgrounds, Burnside Avenue, Hawera
15th & 16th November 2012
Home Industries including Iris and Flower Show, Cattle, Equestrian, Dog Trial, Tractor Pull, Kidzone.

NELSON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ROSE AND IRIS SHOW 2013
The Nelson Horticultural Society Inc. are holding their Rose and Iris Show
Sunday 17th November 2013 at the at the Granary, Founders Park, Nelson
From 10.00 am -5 pm. Entry $5 adults, children free.

 TIMARU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY EARLY SUMMER SHOW
Caroline Bay Hall, Timaru.
16th & 17th November, 2013
Saturday 2.00 - 5.00 pm. Sunday 11.00am - 4.30pm.
Irises, Roses, cut flowers, container plants, orchids, alpine and rock garden plants, bonsai, floral art, fruit and vegetables.
Braggers Corner for large or unusual vegetables and plants
Admission $3.00 adults, or a membership ticket, children free.
For further details contact the Secretary, Ted Falvey (03) 684 3760

The above is a list of Australian and New Zealand 2013 Iris Shows to date. If you require a show schedule or times to stage your blooms please do not hesitate to contact the Show Secretary's listed above. This post will be updated when I am notified of more shows. If you have a show you would like to add to the list leave details as a comment. 

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