New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris ATAVUS

When I first saw this iris bloom at home, my first thought was that I was having another enjoyable mid life crisis that involved visiting the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. This Iris colouration is an acquired taste and some either love it or loath it, me? I put the colours in the loud but possibly interesting file. 'Atavus' grows well, has good plant health, but its the open and somewhat chaotic form of the cream standards and the uneven ruffling on the falls lets the bloom down. Had the form of the bloom been more even on the falls and the standards controlled, coupled with the interesting colours it could have been a brilliant iris. Certainly an Iris that's impossible to take no notice of !!

Courtesy Cayeux Iris, 2013.

'Atavus' is an Iris introduced by Alison Nicoll in 2006 and is very similar to the above photo of the brand new Richard Cayeux 2013 introduction 'Un Peu Fou' which appropriately translates 'A Little Crazy' a label that could apply to both the varieties

Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue 58, 2008-2009 Catalogue.

ATAVUS: L [A. Nicoll '06] Cream standards with central lilac flush. Tan hafts and border with strong lilac centre.

$24.00

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2012

ATAVUS Alison Nicoll, Reg., 2006. Sdlg. A00T2-2. TB, 28″, (72 cm), ML S. cream flushed lilac in centre; style arms cream and lilac; F. strongly washed violet, tan hafts and border; beards red; flared; slight spicy fragrance. Prince George X Outrageous Fortune. Richmond 2007/08; Begg Shield 2009 (NZ) Dykes Medal 2014 (NZ).

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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New Zealand Tall Bearded Iris 'ALISON PENNEY'

A breeding combination of Jean Stevens 'Brilliant Sunrise' and Schreiner's 'Taste of Honey'. This very impressive New Zealand bred iris by Jean Collins is one of the best ever of the classic variegata type, possessing an amazing glow which gives carrying power to the flower and on first viewing has the gardener's mind planning the special place in their garden where this iris will feature. Standards are a smooth rich gold contrasted by the bold red-brown falls bordered a rich gold which in turn has the faintest red-brown outline. The rich gold striations radiating from the hafts lead the eyes towards the deeper gold beards. Silky texture, outstanding form and substance. Slight fragrance.
A stunning have to have!!

Jean Collins Iris Garden, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga.
ALISON PENNEY ML Gold standards, red brown falls, bordered gold

BayBloom Nurseries, Cambridge Road, R.D.1 Tauranga. Spring and Summer Catalogue, 1996.
ALISON PENNEY. What a bright show this variety creates. Gold standards, red brown falls, bordered gold. Does well in mild climates.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
ALISON PENNEY  Mrs Jean Collins, Reg., 1979.   Sdlg. 579/1. TB, 35″, (89 cm), M.   S. gold; F. red-brown, bordered gold; yellow beard. Brilliant Sunrise X Taste of Honey. J. Collins Iris Garden 1978/79. Begg Shield 1987 (NZ).

Only available in New Zealand from The Iris Boutique this season.

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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Tall Bearded Iris 'OKARITA'

 Bred by the late Revie Harvey of Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, a stalwart of the New Zealand Iris Society and a breeder of some very fine irises of which 'Okarita' was one of her best Tall Bearded garden varieties. It was  awarded the Begg Shield for the most outstanding New Zealand bred iris seen at a convention garden in Nelson, 1992.
'Okarita' is a strong grower with good plant health, very tall bloom-stalks that have a slight tendency to get a bit zigzaggy, and the height can sometimes be a problem around here with the strong nor-westerly winds that can destructively rush through the garden at bloom time, so needs to be planted in a sheltered spot. Good branching with a high bud count, colouration is clearly a self in the cool white colour range that is highlighted by a subtle green cast in the centre of the falls with just a slight flick of olive green striations on the hafts. Beards white tipped lemon. The high bud count gives very long sustained bloom period and makes 'Okarita' a great choice should you be looking for a good white iris with undeniable grace. 
 I was recently informed that Revie Harvey's 1999 registered Tall Bearded Iris "Spring Nuptials" a pink is also well worth a try.

2011 New Zealand Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist

OKARITA Mrs R. Harvey, Reg., 1990. Sdlg. RS/WV/83. TB, 42″, (107 cm), EML. White self, F. fluted; beards white, tipped gold; slight fragrance. Regalaire sdlg. X Wedding Vow. Wyuna Iris Gardens 1991. Begg Shield 1992 (NZ). 

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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