Classic Tall Bearded Iris LOUDOUN CHARMER

This Iris is one of the garden favourites. Unbelievable growth with high health foliage. Large blooms on iron-rod stalks and the combination of the colours............. well to just say they are distinctive is nothing short of under selling what is an amazing balanced kaleidoscope of colours that is not often seen in newer varieties. A very classy classic iris and an absolute must have if you can find it!!

Gene and Gerry's Iris Gardens, Frederick Maryland.
1973 Introduction of George I. Crossman, Dr. Nearpass, G. & G. Burger.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (G. Crossman '73) $25.00
Sdlg. 68-34: Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. TB 38" Mid. Ruffled standards of cream coloring, with a hint of orange; which arch to a closed position. Semi-flaring falls of Medium violet, with a distinctive 3/8" bronze border; set off with a a glowing tangerine beard. Very vigorous blue-green foliage; good stalk with 7 to 8 buds. Try this one-It will add CHARM to your collection.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1973, Number 210.
The Philadelphia Story, Hal Stahly.
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman) was going to town here. It is different in color, the standards a flesh tone with violet infusion, the falls light violet, the beard tangerine. That may sound like a familiar pattern, but this one had a pastel effect that is unusual and appealing. It is of nice form on a good stalk with about eight buds.

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, April 1974, Number 213.
Convention in '74-Virginia Is for Iris Lovers, Rena Crumpler.
LOUDOUN LASSIE---George Crossman '72. Uniformly outstanding performance in all tour gardens in which it is growing, it has ivory-pink standards, true orchid falls with lighter area in the center around a deep coral beard. This iris and another in the "Loudoun" series, LOUDOUN CHARMER, '73, are a marvelous pair. Both are laced and ruffled with good proportions throughout and very distinctive. They are of similar coloring, LOUDOUN LASSIE being the pinker of the two. These irises are named for Loudoun County, (Lou pronounced as in aI-low and doun pronounced down) which is the home county of the hybridizer. I make this explanation because in Philadelphia I heard it pronounced "Luden" as in cough drop and just plain "lowdown."

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, July 1974, Number 214.
California Comments, Keith Keppel, Roses,Lavenders, and what-have you.
This is rather a catch-all grouping, some tangerine-bearded, some not, but all of them are desirable....
LOUDOUN CHARMER (Crossman '73)-38: 1. Show table stalks carry flowers with peachy-cream standards with a flush of lavender in the midrib. The falls are rosy-orchid with a pale tan rim and red-orange beards. Extremely attractive.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue.
LOUDOUN CHARMER
An excellent bi-colour with off white standards, and contrasting deep orchid-coloured falls. Early bloomer.

AIS Checklist 1979
LOUDOUN CHARMER  (B. Crossman, R. 1972) Sdlg. 6834. TB, 39" (99 cm), M    S. cream (RHS 159C); F. violet (84C); tangerine beard. Lady of Loudoun X Pretty Carol. Gene & Gerry's Iris 1973. HM 1974.

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

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises ©.

RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year

Just how important is this.......... Well.... Very Important! The whole 'Iris World' benefits from this amazing publicity.
The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2014 has been announced, second place went to Iris 'Domino Noir', bred by Richard Cayeux in his nursery in France. For 20 years Richard has been breeding towards a true black and white cultivar and after several generations of crosses has succeeded with I. 'Domino Noir'.  A rare jewel which offers a striking and clear contrast,with it's practically pure white standards with an almost imperceptible violet border and jet-black falls and has golden yellow beards. Cut stems can be seen on the Silver-gilt Award winning Cayeux stand in the Great Pavilion.
Six days displaying Irises at Chelsea, one of the greatest Garden Shows on Earth that caters to the 'gardening public' (you know those really important people I keep banging on about) is a truly amazing achievement. To be runner-up for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year 2014 and receiving a Silver-gilt award for the Iris display at the Great Pavillion, must be the icing on the cake for Richard, and I send my warmest congratulations to him.

AIS Checklist 2012
DOMINO NOIR (Cayeux, R. 2012) Sdlg. 06 23 A. TB, 33 (84 cm), M S. white; style arms white, amber-yellow crest; F. pure black; beards gold. Magnetisme X 03 79 A: (01 17 A: (Lightshine x 98 169 A) x 01 50 B: (Sixtine C. x Futuriste)).

A hydrangea making its world debut at Chelsea took the top spot and became 2014 RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year. Hydrangea macrophylla Miss Saori (‘H20-2’) has been bred in Kyoto by young plantsman Ryoji Irie and named for his fiancé who has since become his wife. It’s a striking double-flowered, mophead cultivar with each floret having deep rose margins softening to white centres, perhaps it could be called a plicata hydrangea. The blooms are long-lasting, produced in June and on first year wood. The appeal is further heightened by dark foliage. Thrives in full sun or semi-shade, suit border or container growing and can also be used as a cut flower.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photos, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photos, and to Catherine Adam for her direction and help with the French Language, and catalogue listings.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux © .

New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris ERIC'S DREAM

'Eric's Dream' is a rich deep bronze-brown self with self to deep gold brown beards. It seems to have inherited its form from the pod parent 'Fort Apache' so has a 1980's reminiscent feel which is no bad thing if you are looking for an iris with a appealing '80's classic look'. Magnificent iron rod stalks hold the large blooms on well branching and bud count. Grows at home and has good plant habits making for a great clump. Bred in Gisborne by Eric Braybrook using two of Schreiner's finest so called 'red-bronze' irises, so comes with top bloodlines. A good selection and should it be fertile would make a good parent. This year I purchased another of Eric's Irises with a similar colour tone named 'Blissful Morning' and I am looking forward to its blooming.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Checklist 2013
ERIC'S DREAM Eric Braybrook, R. 2004 Sdlg. 94/14/A. TB, 31" (80 cm), M ; Standards. tan; Falls. tan and orange; beards orange; moderate fragrance. Fort Apache X Spanish Leather. HM 2003 NZIS. 

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Terry Johnson or Heritage Irises is strictly prohibited.

Photo credit and copyright Terry Johnson and Heritage Irises © .

Tall Bearded Iris CATHÉDRALE DE CHICHESTER and The Chichester Cathedral Flower Festival 2014.

Cayeux, La Carcaudière, Route de Coullons, France. Iris Lover's Catalogue, 2014.
New 2014 varieties created by Cayeux.
CATHÉDRALE DE CHICHESTER
Tall bearded -Mid-season to late  - Height :85cm- colour: Amoena
A very French iris named after the remarkable British Cathedral where it will be launched! Creamy white standards with finely serrated butter yellow edges. Deep golden yellow falls and orange beards. A very rich tone, sound branching, good substance and averaging 8 buds per stem.


The Chichester Cathedral Flower Festival 2014.
The Chichester Festival of Flowers is a Biennial event which this year will mark the 10th Anniversary. It will be a stunning display of creative, imaginative and beautiful flower designs. and the theme for the 2014 event will be 'The Music Makers', interpreting twelve centuries of music from pop to plainsong, classic to jazz, and sacred to secular. The Festival will have the IRIS for 'plant of the year', and Richard Cayeux is dedicating his new variety 'Cathédrale de Chichester' in contribution to the considerable preservation and development efforts underway at this historic site. Cayeux also plan to bring 14 of their new 2014 intros and to exhibit 6 different colour areas with many Cayeux varieties, and will also include excellent international bred irises.
Held in the gardens of the Royal Chantry in the Cathedral Cloisters, and this year’s festival runs on May 29, 30 and 31, (10am-7pm, Thursday and Friday; 10am-6pm, Saturday).

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Major Hat Tips and "Merci beaucoup" to Richard Cayeux for his photo, his daughter Hortense for collating and formatting the high resolution photo, and to Catherine Adams for her direction and help with the French Language.

Reproduction in whole or in part of this photo without the expressed written permission of Richard Cayeux is strictly prohibited.
Photo credit and copyright Richard Cayeux.  

Historic Iris listings CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS CATALOG 1914

CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS

MISS EMMA V. WHITE

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

I R I S

THE POOR MAN'S ORCHID

"The Iris is the rainbow personified, a goddess who visits us in garments of indescribable splendor, whose harmonious interweaving of colors is beyond the brush of man." They are an old favorite, but in the great number of new and beautiful colorings one hardly recognizes the old "Flags" of former days. Being exceedingly hardy, requiring such little care, withal so beautiful, they should find a place in every garden.

IRIS GERMANICA (Tall Bearded Iris)
The German Iris are the hardiest and most easily cultivated. They will grow almost anywhere and in any good garden soil, but will do best in a well-drained rich loam and in full sun, though they succeed in partial shade. It is best to plant either early in the fall, or early in the spring. Plant the crown or bud two inches below the surface. Orders should be in by May 10.
In the following descriptions the upright, or standard petals, are indicated by " S " ; the falls, or drooping petals, by " F ."

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS A.
12c each; 3 for-30c; 6 for 50c; 12 for 90c.
CHALCEDONIA (also listed as Johan de Witt.) S. light mauve; F. purple heavily veined. Medium height.
FLORENTINA ALBA (Syn. Silver King). Porcelain, changing to pure white. Medium.
MADAM CHEREAU. A tall queenly flower S. and F. white, daintly edged with porcelain blue.
MARGOTIN. S. light yellow. F. yellow interlaced with magenta. Medium.
PURPLE QUEEN (also listed as Florentina Blue, German Blue, Blue Beard). Very robust, large purple flowers, very showy and imposing.
SANS SOUCI. S. canary, base reticulated dove color. F. yellow, charmingly veined and interlaced with brown fading to light maroon. Very hardy and a prolific bloomer.

GERMAN IRIS. CLASS B.
15c each; 3 for 35c; 6 for 65c; 12 for $1.25.
CELESTE. One of the purest and sweetest of flowers. S. pale blue of ultra marine cast. 'F- Light violet, edged lighter, golden beard.
CHERION. S. smoky lavender, inner petals lavender and straw. F. lilac heavily veined.
DARIUS. S. pure clear yellow. F. light violet edged with straw, charmingly veined.
GRACCHUS. S. pure lemon. F. violet, completely interwoven with delicate tracery. Medium.
QUEEN OF MAY. Soft rose lilac, almost pink, a color rare among Irises. Medium.
SAMBUCIANA BEETHOVEN. S. lilac, inner petals light yellow. F. rosy purple with orange crest. Very striking. Medium to tall.

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS C-(Extra Choice)
FAIRY. A sweet dainty flower, very fragrant. S. pure silky white, inner petals white and lavender. F. white charmingly veined. Tall. 20c; 3 for 50c.
EUGENE SUE,. S. white, inner petals white. F. violet edged white, charmingly veined. Very choice. Height 15 inches. 25c; 3 for 60c.
LADY JANE. S. light lavender, veined at the base. F. fawn color traced with heliotrope. Medium. A choice flower. 20c; 3 for 50c.
LEONIDAS. Of radiant beauty. S. purple. F. a glistening dark purple. Very handsome. Tall. 20c; 3 for 50c.
PALLIDA DALMATICA. The noblest of all the Iris family; height 3 feet, foliage broad and ornamental. Large pale blue flowers, very fragrant. 35c; 3 for 90c.
All five in Class C for $1.00.

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS D.
GERMAN IRIS, mixed, unnamed (my choice)
7c each; 3 for 20c; 6 for 35c; 12 for 50c.
GERMAN IRIS, mixed, named (my choice) 8c each; 3 for 22c; 6 for 40c; 12 for 60c.

SIBERIAN IRIS
The Siberian type is hardy as an oak and very beautiful. In bloom from June to August. Fine for cutting.
ORIENTALIS. Tall. S. violet. F. rich bluish violet. 15c.
SIBERICA (Siberian Blue). Rich blue flowers of exquisite beauty. 12c.
SIBERICA ALBA (Siberian White). Very choice white flower. 20c.
SNOW QUEEN. S. white. F. white, golden yellow at the base. A rare and beautiful flower, borne on long strong stems. 25c.
All four Siberian Irises for 65c.

JAPANESE IRIS
Orchid-like blossoms of exceeding beauty, but not quite as hardy as the German Iris. Choice mixed, 15c each; 3 for 40c; 12 for $1.50.

SPECIAL IRIS OFFERS
The Iris has been called "the rainbow personified," and certainly no other flower has a more delicate or harmonious interweaving of colors, almost beyond the brush of man to portray. Nothing will give a greater range of color for your garden, and by purchasing the different varieties you may have bloom from April until the middle of July.
Planting. German Irises succeed in partial shade, but are at their best in full sun, and will do well in any good garden soil; but the Japanese sorts like moist earth and air.

No. 1 . FOUR CHOICE IRIS
The Four for 30c. Postpaid.
Elizabeth. Very large attractive flower. S. pale lavender, shading darker; F. mauve, melting to pale blue. Medium.
Florescens. Creamy white on tall stems.
Margolin. S. clear yellow; F. yellow interlaced with magenta.
Queen of May. Soft rose lilac, almost pink; a rare color among Irises.

No. 2 . SIX CHOICE IRIS
The Six for 45c. Postpaid.
Edith. A beautiful lavender and white, with darker shadings. Medium.
Khedive. S. clouded lavender, with inner petals light lavender flecked white. F. dark lavender, orange beard. Tall,
Mad. Chereau. A great favorite; white, edged and fringed with lilac. Tall.
Orientalis. A tall growing Siberian Iris. S. violet; F. rich bluish violet.
Purple Queen, or Florentina Blue. Large, robust plant, with rich velvety purple flowers.
Sans Souci. Yellow, veined with brownish maroon; very hardy and prolific. Medium.
Price of any of the above Iris singly, 12c
each, or any 3 for 30c.
No, 3. The Two Collections for 70c, Postpaid.

AIS Checklist Entries for the above sequential catalogue order:

GERMAN IRIS, CLASS A.

CHALCEDONIA IB-B3L; (V. J. Bonnewitz 1920).

FLORENTINA ALBA (Syn. Silver King) is the species I.florentina

MADAM CHEREAU. is the iris MME. CHEREAU  TB-M-W2  (Lémon 1844)     
     
MARGOTIN is the iris *MARJOLIN TB-Y9M; (Lémon 1855-1858)

PURPLE QUEEN is PURPLE KING   IB-R1D;  (Wallich Collected 1830 Katmandu) 

SANS SOUCI. TB--M-Y9M ( attributed to Van Houtte 1854)


GERMAN IRIS. CLASS B.

CELESTE. TB-M-B1L;  (Lémon 1859) 

CHERION. is the iris CHEREAU  TB-M-S3L;  (Lémon 1844)

DARIUS. DB-MLa-Y3L; (Brown 1873)

GRACCHUS. TB-M-Y9L; (Ware 1884)

QUEEN OF MAY. TB-M-R7L ; (Salter before 1859)

SAMBUCIANA BEETHOVEN. TB-M-B7M ; (Barr 1887)


GERMAN IRIS, CLASS C-(Extra Choice)

FAIRY. TB-M-W1 ; (A. Kennicott, 1905)

*EUGENE SUE TB-M-B3L ;  (Lémon 1848)

*LADY JANE TB ; (Salter 1868)

LEONIDAS TB-M-B1M (Barr 1901)

PALLIDA DALMATICA. TB-M-B1M

Additional Irises listed only on the Sale List.

* ELIZABETH TB-R1L ; (V. J. Bonnewitz 1920)

EDITH is the iris DONNA MARIA TB-W8 ; (Lémon 1840)

KHEDIVE  TB-M-B1L ; (Barr 1884)

2006 Cumulative Check List of Siberian Irises

SIBIRICA ALBA Listed 1809 Collected SIB (dip.) (36" 9 lcm) L Barr & Sugden 1872-4: "S. white; F. mottled purple, 3' tall". Perry 1899, 1900: "Pure white, 4' tall". Wallace 1900, 1919: "White veined purple & brown". Information from Jennifer Hewitt from research from the RHS Library of old catalogs. Unknown parentage. Barr & Sugden 1872

I. sibirica Linnaeus, Carolus Listed 1753 Collected in Europe SIB-SP (dip.) (50" 120 cm) M Blue or blue-violet dark-veined flowers, 6-7cm in diameter, 2, 3, or more buds from each set of brown papery spathes; F. oblong, with a white, strongly violet-veined area in center, narrowing to a paler haft which has prominent dark veining. S. smaller, more uniformly blue-violet. Branched stems well-overtopping the narrow leaves, usually green and up to 4cm wide. Found from northern Italy eastwards through eastern Europe to Russia, west to Lake Baikal in wet meadows and damp forest margins, May to July. Dickson 1794

I. orientalis Thunberg, Carl Peter Listed 1794 Collected SIB-SP Diploid B1M. Collected in Manchuria, Korea, Japan 1794. Now classified as /. sanguinea, the ONLY AIS ACCEPTED classification. Synonyms: haematophylla; Nertchinskia; Pratensis major; Sibirica sanguinia; sibirica var. orientalis; sibirica var. sanguinea; Xiphium orientale. Unknown parentage. Macoun; Farr 1912.

SNOW QUEEN Collected By Peter Barr Listed 1900 Collected in Japan SIB (dip.) (18" 46 cm) M & re White form of /. sanguinea. Peter Barr 1900 AM: RHS: 1902

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When you need to counter that published fiction regarding San Souci and its lost name  you find yourself borrowing or buying some very interesting early American Garden plant and seed catalogues and 'Choice Flower Seeds', catalogue from 1914 is one that caught my eye.

Two things here for readers consideration.

Marketing ; A commercial garden in 1914 produces a 60 page catalogue of which only one page features Irises with only 25+ varieties, now even in 1914 its amazing marketing and it's certainly putting it out there to that important group the 'home gardeners' that I have mentioned in previous posts. 

Checklist ; Irises with a asterisks in front and in italics have been considered to be obsolete. Bloody amazing when these Irises where listed in catalogues in the 1920's yet they got written off. How many Irises were discontinued by commercial growers because the American Iris Society determined they were obsolete and by doing so the commercial growers no longer listed these irises in catalogues???

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