Tall Bearded Iris 'BLUSHING BEAUTY'

Purchased this Iris from an grower in Wanaka who no longer sells commercially and it is a looker. A complete delight to us each year it flowers and growing amongst a bed of blue irises, its subtle soft warm white with peachy pink flushed hafts, its large blooms (165mm/6½ inches) stand out like a beacon making it a very pleasant Historic Iris.

AIS Checklist 1969
BLUSHING BEAUTY (Noyd, R. 1964) Sdlg. N61-3-33 TB 34" EM WS S warm white flushed pink at base; F white, clear pink at haft; coral beard, serrated edges (Pink Mauve Mohr x (Midwest Gem x New Horizon)) X Apple Valley., Noyd 1964 HM 1965

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Tall Bearded Iris 'CRYSTAL GLITTERS'

 

Purchased this iris last year from 'The Iris Garden' only because it was reasonably priced. After flowering I have come to realise that with a $8.00 price tag this iris is more than just great value. I would recommend this impressive iris to everyone so get your order in before Julie runs out!!
 
Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995 CRYSTAL GLITTERS. (Schreiner's 1985 USA) EM 36"
A warm glow of pink and peach highlights the creaminess of this iris.Lovely form and superb branching. We are most impressed with this variety.
(Moon Glimmer X Gold Trimmings) X (Inferno X Brimstone) HM 87. AM 89.

AIS Checklist 1989
CRYSTAL GLITTERS (Schreiner's, R. 1985). Sdlg. S 871-2. TB 36" (91 cm) EM. Lightly ruffled pale peach cream; darker peach pink hafts and styles; peach gold beard. K 814-A: (Moon Glimmer x Gold Trimmings) X K 711-2: (Inferno x Brimstone)., Schreiner's 1985.
 

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 'BROOKSIDE'

'Brookside' another standout Iris from New Zealand's Ron Busch. I took this photo in my garden some weeks ago but had problems with Ron's checklist colour description of robins egg shell blue but the photo has been checked by others and Ron and I am assured that the Iris pictured is true to label. It is darker than the same variety growing in Christchurch but I have put this down to a regional difference. A good grower with good branching and reasonable increase. Interesting parentage.

AIS Checklist 1999
BROOKSIDE (Mr. R.W. Busch 1997) Sdlg. 8673/4. TB. 40" (102 cm) M. S. robins egg shell blue, F. light violet, widely edged robins egg shell blue; beards orange; ruffled, flared; slight fragrance. 77204/2: ((Tea Apron x Wine and Roses) x (Siva Siva x Tuxedo)) X 7789: ((Rippling Waters X Velvet Robe) X Black Swan)). Irwell Iris Garden 1997.

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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Historic 'Dursley Gardens"

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I made a visit today to the Historic Dursley Garden in Bideford and was shown around the by the gardens owner, the very effervescent Judith Callaghan.
Sadly the the iris in the Del are a few days away from peak bloom.

The Gardens were originally designed by Alfred Buxton in 1916 when the property was known as Te Rangi Pai. The name changed to Dursley in the 1930's.
The 300 roses and original plantings of trees growing throughout the gardens, the views to the hills allow a visitor to see Buxtons vision still today.

Car Park Greetings

Driveway view

Judith informed me that when the Callaghans took over the garden in 1972 they removed seven truckloads of debris before beginning to recover the garden area around the flowing driveway

Iris vistas

Solomon's Seal








The other visitor at the Iris Del

If you are in the Wairarapa Region give this garden for all seasons a visit, you will not be disappointed. Hopefully the large Iris Del will be in bloom when I return.
Thanks Judith for an amazing morning

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Siberian Iris 'BANISH MISFORTUNE'

Siberian Irises are my first interest in Irises and always give me much joy.My season this year looks to be about 10 days earlier than normal and no I do not think this has to do with climate change!! In 2007 'BANISH MISFORTUN which bloom's continuously for the full siberian season won 'The Award of Merit' which is an award for Irises proven of value over at least five years since introduction and this sum's up this iris nicely.

Joe Pye Weed's Gardens 2008 Catalog
BANISH MISFORTUNE - '99, E-L, 45". Standards and falls are mid-lavender-blue with large smooth yellow to cream signals, veined deep purple. An outstanding clump with tall strong stalks each with 6 to 7 buds. AM’07

2006 Cumulative Checklist of Siberian Irises
BANISH MISFORTUNE Schafer, Marty and Sacks, Jan. Reg. 1999 Sdlg S92-85-12. SIB (dip.) (45" 114 cm) EML S. medium light bluebird-blue (RHS 94C), veined darker (94B); style arms lighter, with dark midrib; F. lobelia-blue (91B) on lower portion, veined darker, remainder covered by large signal, haft darker mimosa-yellow (8A), paling (9D) on blade, with deep purple (93A/B) veins; slight fragrance. S89-6-6: (Star Cluster x Ruffled Velvet) x Isabelle) X Snow Prince. Joe Pye Weed's Garden 1999. HM 2003 AM 2007

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded New Zealand Iris 'FOAMING SEAS'

Waterson Irises, Wanganui.  1959-60 Catalogue.
FOAMING SEAS (Stevens)
Rarely has a new iris in this country received such high acclaim before its introduction as has this lovely and sensational silver-blue, which we are introducing for its raiser, Mrs. Stevens, this year. During the flowering season last November, there was always a small crowd around Foaming Seas, photographing, examining, or just standing drinking in the beauty of its crystalline blossoms. It is being introduced in America later this season by Schreiner’s Iris Gardens of Oregon, and it is due to the courtesy of Mr. Robert Schreiner that we are able to offer it this summer, a few months prior to its American début. The very large flowers, beautifully frilled and ruffled, are lightest silvery blue, deepening softly to an intense silver blue towards the hafts of both standards and falls. A white beard, tipped silver blue where it extends on to the fall, and a clear tracery of blue on the hafts, add to its distinctive individuality. The standards, like the falls, are heavily ruffled and remain firmly upright throughout the life of the flower. 3 ft.

Above Picture courtesy of Schreiner's Iris Lover's catalog 1964

 Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog, 1960.
FOAMING SEAS (Stevens 1960)
Mrs Stevens New Zealand's well known iris hybridizer Combines with her iris hybridising talents a flare for aptness of nomenclature as well exemplified here. This novel frothy light blue suggests the dynamic quality of churning foam-capped seas. An unusual garden iris with an irresistible appeal in the clump. Foaming seas does not carry oncocyclus blood despite its appearance. It is an easy grower and copious bloomer-as well as a natural conversation piece in any garden.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, January 1962, Number 164.
Honors Review and Preview, by Melba Hamlen.
Jean Stevens latest creation, is in my opinion her most beautiful iris. The blossoms are large with wide ruffled petals. Light blue with a matching beard, it has subtle purple haft markings that set it apart from others of similar coloring.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1962, Number 167.
Irises From North Carolina s Coastal Plains to the Foot of Pikes Peak, Ralph and Helen Lewis.
FOAMING SEAS (Stevens 1960). This is a big, stylish light blue, notable for purity of color, excellence of form, and a profusion of ruffles.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 1964.
FOAMING SEAS (Stevens, '60)  A frothy, ruffly light blue with deeper veins, suggestive of the churning surf against a rocky shore. The beard is blue-white. Massive flowers, widely spreading in form and freely produced on 3-foot stalks. 
HM AIS,1960.................................Each $3.50

Schliefert Iris Gardens, Murdock, Nebraska, 29th Annual Catalog, 1970
FOAMING SEAS ( Stevens 60)
A well named frothy light blue with pale blue-white beard. Petals wide and well rounded. HM 1960

AIS 1959 checklist
FOAMING SEAS (Stevens, R. 1957). Sdlg #El 94 /4 . TB 46", B1L. Very pale blue self, slightly deeper at hafts; pale blue-white beard. Jane Phillips x ((((Calpurnia x Morocco Rose) x Summit) x (sister of Summit x Tropic Moon) x Chicory Blue)., Waterson 1959; Schreiner 1960. HM 1960.
 
Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded Iris 'EVERYTHING PLUS'

EVERYTHING PLUS Dave Niswonger  Mid Season bloomer 29" and can on the odd occasion  re-bloom. Soft blue white standards mixed with soft violet broken colour. Falls are white stitched with deep violet and mustard gold beards tipped purple bronze.Very distinct and consistently performs in every garden but it's problem is that it is not overly tall, and the branching begins right at ground level and works its way up through 4 branches, the lower branch is quite long, coming up almost even with the top branch, I call it the menorah candelabra effect. Schreiner's ‘Eagles’ Flight’ does exactly the same thing. If your looking for Show stalks my advice is try something else, I would have to state it is a very good garden iris, but did it deserve a Dykes Medal? well I for one would have to say its doubtful.

AIS Checklist 1989
EVERYTHING PLUS (O. D. Niswonger, R. 1983). Sdlg. 24-80. TB 34" (86 cm) M. S. pale blue white; F. white ground with deep violet plicata markings; purple beard tipped bronze. Focus X Spinning Wheel., Cape Iris 1984. Honourable Mention 1986, Runner up Walther Cup 1986, Dykes Medal 1991.

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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Tall Bearded Iris 'PARAGON'

Schreiners Catalogue 1952
Paragon (Stevens) 1947. E.M. 36"
Serene lovely rounded flowers of a delicate pearly shell colour or opalescent cool pinks. So cool and morning fresh it is bound to capture your attention and admiration. A hint of copper in a half inch margin around the edge of the petals and the rich mellow throat makes the whole flower glow . Exquisite planted with bright blues or deep violet.


Stevens Bros Catalogue 1949-50
Lovely rounded flowers of delicate pearly shell colour draw the attention and admiration of all. Huge flowers of gracefully flared and rounded form with an opalescent light over the heavy substanced petals. A decided margining of soft copper pink edges the falls which are so finely textured that the creamy pink colour seems to glow and flush in the sunlight. Lovely as a specimen plant it is even more exquisite when planted with light blues or deep violets. We think this iris will long be popular. Early. 3 ft.

AIS Checklist 1949
PARAGON TB-E.M. R7L (Stevens W.R.) 1947 #2/S119. Inspiration x Caribbean Treasure

Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter 

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Tall Bearded Iris 'PROPHECY'

Another Iris name that was originally used by Jean Stevens, and then used by Joe Ghio. This also applied to the Iris VANITY originally used by Jean Stevens in 1949.
Still the iris PROPHECY pictured above is a good looking Iris which shows good increase, long bloom season, and gives pleasure in our garden,but in saying that it sure would have been nice to have both.

AIS Checklist 1979
PROPHECY (Joseph Ghio, R. 1970). Sdlg. 67-95A. TB 36" (91 cm) E-L. Light blue with deeper blue-violet spot on F.; blue beard. 65-125: (Commentary x Greenlee sdlg.: (Native Dancer x (pink sdlg. x (Sharkskin x I. balkana)))) X Mystic Mood., Bay View Gardens 1972.


Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter 

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