Tall bearded Iris "SPRING KISS"

'Spring Kiss' ( Paul Black, R. 2000). Sdlg. C39G . TB, 36" (91 cm), EM. S. and style arms medium violet; F. medium violet, center aging to pearl violet, darker blended band, inner haft veined brass; beards gold, wide; ruffled, lightly laced; pronounced sweet fragrance. 'Spring Satin' X 'Goldkist'. Mid-America 2000. AIS Checklist 2000

When two earlier Paul Black introductions, ‘Spring Satin’ and 'Goldkist' started going steady it produced an amazing halo Iris . Named after a play on the parents names, "Spring Kiss" was only introduced in 2000 but it has all but disappeared in the Commercial Iris world. Whilst the early blooms are only of a medium size it grows really well for me. Standards colour is a soft violet orchid-lavender, the flaring Falls are pearly violet white haloed in the standards dominant colour, which gives strong carrying power in the garden.

The pedigrees of both the parents below show the close bloodlines.

'Goldkist' (Paul Black, registered 1993). Seedling 89162A. TB, height 36" (91 cm), mid season bloomer. Standards white; style arms white with slight gold tips; falls white, 3/4" wide yellow gold hafts, purple striations between haft edge and bright yellow gold beard; ruffled. 85150A: (('Coffee House' x 'Hombre') x ('Old Flame' x 'Instant Charm')) X 8774A: ('Porcelain Ballet' x ('Tequila Sunrise' sibling x 'Entourage')). Mid-America 1993.

'Spring Satin' (Paul Black, registered 1988). Seedling 85154B. TB, height 35" (89 cm), late season bloom. Standards white with gold halo; falls orchid violet, paler in center, edged darker; deep bright yellow beard; white styles tipped gold; slight spicy fragrance. 83314E: ('Old Flame' x 'Instant Charm') X 83311B: ('Tequila Sunrise' sibling x 'Entourage'). Mid-America Gardens 1989.

Available in America from Stout Gardens at Dancing Tree.

In New Zealand this season it will be available from Amazing Iris Garden 

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