Over recent years there was a lot of whoop and holler about the difficulty of importing irises to New Zealand. Believe it or not, this issue raised its ugly head again with regard to a couple of new unusual colour-toned plicatas shown in recent international Iris publications and also featured in catalogues that have been received in New Zealand. These new irises have colours very similar to 'Surfie Girl'. It gave the last gaspers a chance once again to resurrect the monotonous moaning regarding the lack of ability to import new Irises to New Zealand. Hells bells, it would need someone in New Zealand with time on their hands to take on the fight with the agricultural authorities and a very large chest of money to pay for the huge expense that would be associated with the importation. This is all before even finding an overseas supplier (with a great sense of humour) that would want to take on the similar amount of expense and time for a very small order by their scale of things. You would have to agree the idea is a dog with fleas. In fact, you would think it would be cheaper to pay an quality overseas hybridizer to come to New Zealand for a couple of weeks to make some crosses which, if coupled with extensive training of New Zealand hybridisers, wouldn't be such a bad idea.
'Surfie Girl' has an unusual plicata colour combination, and is strong growing, with excellent plant health. It is fertile both ways so could be used in a breeding programme in New Zealand (another Woo Hoo moment!)
Tempo Two Catalogue Iris, Hosta's, Daylilies, 1994-95
SURFIE GIRL (Blyth 93 Aust) E-L 36" A high bud count gives this iris a long rewarding season. It is a plicata with standards of tarnish beige, falls are white with a ½" violet stitched edge, deepening at the hafts to a reddish tan. Light mustard beards add to an effect that will give a great garden display as well as winning on the show bench.
AIS Checklist 1999
SURFIE GIRL Barry Blyth, Reg. 1993 Sdlg. Z69-3. TB, 38" (97 cm), EML ; S. light tannish beige; F. white with 1/2" stitched edge of bishops violet, deepening at hafts to reddish tan; beards light mustard. Lark About X Snowbrook. Tempo Two 1993/94.
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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