Keith Keppel Iris 2014 Catalogue

BOSTON CREAM Keith Keppel Reg. 2014 E 31" (Snow Lion X ((97-88A: ((Handshake x (Cross Current x ((Snowbrook x Blackout) (Snowbrook sib x (Rain Flurry sib x Charmed Life))))) x (Spirit World x Answered Prayers)) x Moonlit Water) x (High Master x (97-88A x (Spirit World x ( Fancy Woman x (( Goddess x (Mistress sib x ((Joy Ride x Roundup) x (April Melody x 68-40)))) x sib )))))
Frothy warm white glaciata that looks good enough to eat. Just a touch of soft apricot shows on the hafts, and white beards a faintly tipped flame orangs. Somewhat blocky, heavily ruffled form. Rapid increaser, stalks with plentiful buds. #07208C  ...............................................................$50.00

Oh yes...... the catalog season in America is off to a brilliant start.
Keith Keppels 2014 catalog arrived in the mail just yesterday and contains 8 Tall Bearded Iris Introductions, one Intermediate from Keith and an amazing new Intermediate 'Love's Moment' by Phillip W. Remare. Catalog back to its previous format with lots of Irises to choose from with back catalog irises from Keith and a great selection of Barry Blyth Irises. Comes with a welcome return at the back of the publication the thoughts and Hybridising advise of Keith.
As you will know if you are a regular visitor to Heritage Irises, I have a strong liking of White Irises so I have featured Keith's amazing and stunning 2014 Introduction 'Boston Cream' Let the good times roll!!!


Be sure to visit Keith Keppel's web site!! 
As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version. 
Photo credit and copyright Keith Keppel.

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A NEW RACE OF HYBRID ALPINE IRISES. W. J. Caparne, Guernsey.

A NEW RACE OF HYBRID ALPINE IRISES.
The Garden Chronicle November 30th. 1901

This addition to the race of early spring flowering Irises is the result of many years of experiment in hybridising Irises, undertaken, in so far as the plants of this section of Iris is concerned, with a view to the improvement of that very promising little group of dwarf bearded Iris which are the first of all the rhizomatous Irises to bloom in the spring, and are included under the names of biflorus, Chamæiris, Olbiensis, pumila, &c., which have one or two variety names to add to their list, but were still very limited both in number and an the range of colour they presented, having nothing of the gorgeousness that the numerous varieties of tall bearded or " Flag " Irises had accustomed us to connect with the word Iris. 'This lack of variety in colour was a considerable bar to any chance of popularity they otherwise deserved — and that they did deserve it was evident from their many other qualities: their freedom in blooming, their acceptance of and delight in a windy, exposed position, where other plants could not thrive; their hardiness, and power to withstand extremes of weather, flourishing on a dry bank where grass was unhappy, and being withal, at every season of the year, neat and cheerful-looking plants, with a pleasant contrast of character in their foliage to all other plants in the border, looking after themselves for the most part, and satisfied with an occasional clean up of weeds and dead leaves, happy in the privilege of being let alone.
Questions which had to be considered at the outset were : What should be done to impart new colours, and to improve the old? Would Nature herself do it by simple intercrossing? Was the artist's pigment theory one that might be reasonably expected to act? or was the scientist with the spectrum right ? for very queer things arise from the admixture of spectrum colours to the eye of Art, and that Nature herself was perfectly independent of any calculations on the matter was evident from the way she produces brilliant scarlet, as in the Pelargonium, &c., when a pure white opaque ground is covered with a thin skin of dingy, semitransparent material which works the miracle — one could not hope to even remotely follow.

However Art stuck to its colours, and the event proved reliable, the pure whites must be set to the credit of Nature alone, and both the yellows, the purples and blues shaded with these as was expected through Art experience. Crimsons, rich yellows, and bronzes had their rudiments in plants of species which were either wholly new, or had been previously unobtainable ; and to whose aid I was, as must be surmised, entirely dependent upon the liberality, kindness, and interest of Sir Michael Foster. With these new means at hand the possibilities of success were greatly forwarded. Many things which had previously seemed hopeless became accomplished facts, though not all at once visible, for Iris raising is a matter of many years' patience, and many pleasant surprises began to arrive.

DESCRIPTION OF THESE IRISES.

To describe the Irises which are the result of this inter-crossing of species, which, as regarded their parents, hail from all the alpine and sub-alpine districts of Europe, I have ventured to call them hybrid alpine Iris. One must say that they are rhizomatous plants, with practically evergreen leaves, four or live to a tuft, thin, flat, sword or sickle-shaped, 3 or 4 inches long at flowering-time, afterwards prolonged to 6 or 8 inches, and from half an inch to 1 inch wide, growing out towards the end of the rhizome on all sides, so that the tendency of the plant is to form a circular patch. The flowers are produced in early spring, as soon as the weather breaks and will allow of growth to be made, upon stiff, succulent stalks, which enable them to remain fresh for a long time without water after being cut, and standing from 4 to 8 inches, or in the tallest, 10 inches in height. The flowers are large, often larger than the plant which produces them, and are of similar shape to the German or summer-flowering Iris, with three upright petals, the standards, which in some of the varieties, however, lay flat open, and expose the 3-petaloid styles to view; the three lower petals, or falls, are pendent, sometimes contracted and tucked in, so to speak, and they all have a more or less conspicuous white, primrose-yellow, rich orange, or blue beard.

THEIR COLOURS

In colour they range from the purest of white selfs, white standards and cream or yellow falls, white and blue, white and violet and purple, each being white, yellow or orange bearded ; primrose-yellow self, cream and canary-yellow to rich yellow, with conspicuous orange-scarlet beard ; blues from the palest porcelain to deep blue-purple, lavender, violet-purple and crimson self, and bronze and almost black. These, with many changes of smooth or folded petals, long or round, plain, unmarked, or covered with lines, dots, and tracery, make up a sufficiently varied amount of combination and change to please a fastidious taste, and all of them together maintaining a constant relay and succession of flowers from very earliest spring to the end of April or early in May. Indeed, if the weather is mild, they will begin during October, November or December to throw up fitfully one or two flowers.

AS A NEW FORCED FLOWERS.

They have proved a welcome addition to greenhouse (either slightly heated or cold) decoration, they occupy but little space in small pans or 3-inch pots ; and if in clumps larger sizes may be used, but they require very little soil whilst in pots, and are very impatient of much water until growth has well set in, so that it is best to err on the safe side.
If grown in quantity for cutting, shallow boxes are equally satisfactory. In heat they will bloom from January to the end of March ; in a cold-house they commence early in March or end of February, and continue through to April. In all cases plenty of air should be given, especially when in bloom ; for if in a close, stuffy temperature, a minute fungus besprinkles both the petals and leaves, and the remedy is, of course, ventilation. They do not make satisfactory growth in pots, pans, or boxes, and so they should be hardened off and replanted in the open ground as soon as the weather will permit, for it must be remembered that they are hardy plants, accustomed to a rigorous climate.

FOR SITUATION AND SOIL

A free, rather gritty soil is perhaps the best, and provided there is no stagnant moisture about, they are not exacting ; they have thriven in a stiff clay in a windy, exposed, and
sunburnt situation, and in ordinary garden loam. Their roots are voracious feeders, and quickly interlace in all directions where the plant is happy ; but if they get a rather dry,
sunny bank, where it is too hot and dry for most things, their growth may be much smaller, but their flowers will gain greatly in refinement. There is, in fact, no difficulty about their culture, provided that it be understood. Weeds and the shade of trees or large plants are quickly fatal to them, as is stagnant moisture; but beyond this, they are happy almost anywhere — on rockwork, as edgings, small borders, old walls, &c. ; and as they are small, bright green plants, they give an added charm to any situation they may occupy.
Their enemies, other than the conditions above stated, are chiefly the winter-slug, snails, and woodlice, the first two being very destructive. The latter is very insidious and troublesome if not looked after when the plants are grown in dry situations, as it makes its home underneath the rhizomes, or in the interior of the older decayed ones in the centre, and foods on the budding tips of the now roots just at the end of the advancing rhizome, which of course prevents its growth altogether; but these can be trapped or otherwise kept down, should they make their appearance.

In conclusion, it is hoped that they may prove useful, satisfactory, and popular plants, for there are no special cultural difficulties connected with their culture, as is the case with most of the bulbous Iris, together with the magnificent group of Oncocyclus Iris. With the new hybrids of "intermediate" Iris, which have caught the larger habit and flowers of the later, tall, bearded, summer-flowering Iris, together with many of their colours, but winch have placed themselves in time of blooming in front of I. germanica, the tall, blue flag, whose group furnishes the advance guard of summer Iris, we may have a continuous display from the earliest days of Spring, that endures without a break up to
August.

W. J. Caparne, Guernsey.

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Intermediate Bearded Iris PINK REVERIE

'Pink Reverie' is an eloquent statement of strong pink with a distinct Apricot Salmon band on the edges of both the standards and the falls, all  accented with bright and daring Saturn Red beards. Classic form, silky texture, slightly ruffled, flared fall and substance supreme. Good increase and great health. 'Pink Reverie' in my opinion will go down in iris history as one of the all-time great Intermediates in the colour Pink, and as an added bonus it reblooms!!! Not bad for a 45 year old don't you think??
Thought I would also include below the listing from Richmonds, famous for their loquacious variety descriptions.

Mission Bell Gardens, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hamblen, Roy Utah. Iris for 1973
PINK REVERIE    (A. Brown, '69) E. 22in. Ruffled and flared coral pink with a slight orchid influence. Beard Saturn red. (Pink Pride X Self).
H.M. '71..............................................$2.50
 
Richmond Iris Garden, 376 Hill Street, Nelson. Issue #63, 2013-2014 Catalogue.
PINK REVERIE    (A. Brown, '68) Re-bloomer. Dark Pink.......................................$8.00

AIS Checklist 1969
PINK REVERIE   A. Brown, Reg. 1968. Sdlg. M 1205-3. IB 22" E. O1P.    Pink self with slight orchid influence, ruffled; bright saturn red beard. Pink Pride X Pink Pride., Brown's Iris Gardens 1969.

Available in New Zealand from Richmond Iris Gardens this season
Clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter.

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Intermediate Iris LONGING

  This has to be one of 'thee must have intermediates' brilliant colouring, great form, amazing plant growth and health and a very very long bloom season. Amazingly no awards,why is that???

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995.
New Introductions
LONGING  (Blyth, 94 Aust.) VVE-ML 25" Salmon tan apricot with no pink tones with a slight violet flush, burnt tangerine beards with lavender on the outer ½". Super growth habits and multiple flowering stems and buds and a great increaser. Popular as a seedling.(Impish X Electrique.) Sdlg.no A55-1

AIS Checklist 1999
LONGING Barry Blyth, Reg. 1994. Sdlg. A55-1. IB, 25" (63 cm), VE-EML. S. smoky apricot salmon with faint violet flush, slight veining on F. hafts; beards burnt tangerine, lavender on outer 1/2". Impish X Electrique. Tempo Two 1994/95.

A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Julie May.

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Intermediate Iris DEVIL DANCING

One of the best looking Intermediate Irises and one of my favourites that I like to think of  as a smaller pastel version of the Tall Bearded Iris 'Imprimis' (Blyth '92) and is a must for those looking for a median iris with that 'something different'.

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995.
New Introductions
DEVIL DANCING (Blyth, 94 Aust.) E-M 22" Standards are lavender grey to grey and the falls are deeper with a slightly reddish violet overlay towards the centre. Beards are starting being navy bronze. Quite a contrast . Popular here in the garden. Slight musky fragrance. Flared and ruffled as are its sisters 'Bush Gossip' and 'Foreign Devil'. Sdlg. No A53-1

AIS Checklist 1999
DEVIL DANCING Barry Blyth, Reg. 1994. Seedling A53-1. IB, height 22" (56 cm), EM. Standards grey lavender; falls deeper, slight reddish violet overlay, deepening toward center, greyed lavender edge; beards navy bronze; slight musky fragrance. X25-5, Impish sibling, X Electrique. Tempo Two 1994/95

A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Julie May. 

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Intermediate Bearded Iris AZ AP

Not a lot of Intermediate irises featured on the Web. These irises flower between the standard dwarf bearded iris and the tall bearded iris, and have a considerable value in adding continuity to the bearded iris season. 'AZ AP' , is another of Alan Ensminger's award-winning Irises. Blooms show occasional flecks of Broken Colour that could be inherited from its 'Jungle Shadows' heritage. A good strong grower that has a longer bloom season. An absolute asset in any garden.There is a limited amount of Alan's irises available in New Zealand which is a pity but we do have a few of his award-winning irises which is better than none at all.  Alan Ensminger, was presented the  Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing from the Median Iris Society in 2007.

Varigay Gardens Lincoln, Nebraska.1980.
AZ AP EL. IB. 22"
We want you to know about this beautiful 1980 introduction, named AZ AP because in color it is an abbreviated Azure Apogee.
AZ AP is an intermediate - the child of Charmed Circle and and SDB seedling. It is one of those rare irises that can hardly be faulted.
When AZ AP was one year old, it had 3 bloom stalks and 12 increases. The increases were lined out, and in 1979 when AZ AP was two years old there were 57 bloom stalks and 63 increases.
AZ AP is so beautiful and such a good doer that soon everyone will grow it. If you want to be one of the first to grow this remarkable new Intermediate send your check for $15.00 to Varigay Gardens 

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October, 1990. Number 279.
Ensminger's Varigay Garden, James McWhirter (California)
This garden was the last garden I visited at the 1990 Omaha Convention, and it was an excellent one to end with. Although the day was overcast and even a little misty, the glorious color that greeted us when departing the bus was overwhelming. And even if we thought the color was going to be enough, the 75 foot row of AZ AP (Ensminger 80) was in full bloom to greet us a second time. The noise from the cameras capturing this spectacular sight was enough to keep all insects away. Truly a sea of bloom that will long be remembered
 
IRISES, A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin.
Iris AZ AP (A Ensminger 1979)
This variety blooms for many weeks, producing skyblue flowers that are very slightly veined with purple around the edges of its petals. The bushy beards are bright blue. Height 56 cm ( 22½ in.) Bloom; early to late season. Parentage includes 'Charmed Circle', Spring Salute', 'Patience', 'Jungle Shadows', and I.pumila. Hans and Jacob Sass Medal 1987.

IRIS, Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor.
Intermediate Iris Recommended Cultivars
'Az Ap' (Ensminger 1980) 60cm. classic mid-blue intermediate. Vigorous grower.

AIS Checklist 1979
AZ AP (Allan Ensminger, R 1979) IB, height 22" (56 cm), Early-Late bloom season. Cobalt blue (HCC 44/3) self; gentian blue (42/1) beard. Charmed Circle X 73-1: ((Spring Salute x ((Patience x Welch N503) x (Jungle Shadows x pumila))) x ((( Jungle Shadows x pumila) x ( Jungle Shadows x Cretica)) x ((Jungle Shadows x Cretica) x Kavan 11-66))). Varigay Gardens 1980. Honorable Mention 1982; Award of Merit 1984; Sass Medal 1987.

Available in New Zealand from several suppliers.
A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.

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 Julie May and The Iris Garden ©.

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Intermediate Bearded Iris QUIVER

A cross of the pale soft lacy pink Tall Bearded Iris 'Tiffany Time' (Blyth 90) and the smoky pink Standard Dwarf  Iris 'Chanted'(Blyth 90) gave Barry an amazing blue pink stand-out Intermediate Iris. A very smooth Iris.

Tempo Two, Pearcedale, Victoria, Australia. Iris, Daylilies, Hosta Catalogue  1994-1995
QUIVER (Blyth 94 Aust) M-ML 24" Standards are pink flushed lavender, giving a blue-pink effect. Falls are much paler with light tan hafts and light lavender line below beards which are lavender tipped tangerine.Very flared and lightly ruffled with good branching and a good show iris. (Tiffany Time X Chanted) Sdlg. no Z34-2

AIS Checklist 1999
QUIVER Barry Blyth, Reg. 1994. Sdlg. Z34-2. IB, 24" (61 cm), ML. S. pink flushed lavender, giving blue-pink effect; F. paler, light tan on hafts, lavender lines below beard; beards lavender, tipped tangerine. Tiffany Time X Chanted. Tempo Two 1994/95.

Available in New Zealand from Helen Laing at her Amberley nursery 'The Iris Farm'. Whilst the listing on the web site spelling is slightly wrong but is the same iris
A big hat tip once again to Julie May of 'The Iris Garden' fame for her very fine photo.
As usual, clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Julie May.

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Intermediate Bearded Iris HONEY GLAZED

Strong grower with clean foliage, and great increase. Magnificent branching and bud count, standards are a bright lemon cream and falls are what I like to think as a amber caramel blend that sometimes can show a darker splish splash colouration (which seems to be seasonal.) Yellow beards. Fragrant. Gives a great display and this is why it is still a hit with gardeners today.

Bay Blooms Nurseries, Cambridge Road, Tauranga Spring / Summer 1996 Catalogue
HONEY GLAZED
Cream standards and deep caramel coloured falls with a cream edge. We just love this one, and know of no other Iris of similar colourings.

The Medianite, Journal of The Median Society Fall, 2012.
More Intermediates??? Dave Niswonger
My experience with IB's began in 1979 when I crossed a seedling out of (Beau x Celestial Doll) with Turtledove (Moldovan 1972) which incidentally is a IB. From this cross I got two IB's that I like very much. However I couldn't decide which one I like the best. In approximately 1981, Region 18 decided to make the Spring Convention in Wichiya, KS, a median one instead of a Tall Bearded convention. (this is the only time I can recall that this happened) at this convention my two IB seedlings were blooming side-by-side. So, I asked those nearby which one they like the best. I got no immediate reply. Finally somebody said, "why don't you introduce both of them?"I had never thought of that. So introduced Honey Glazed in 1983 (which won the Sass Medal in 1989) and Golden Muffin in 1986.

AIS Checklist 1989
HONEY GLAZED O. David Niswonger, R. 1982. Seedling IB 9-80. IB, 24" (61 cm), Mid bloom season. Standards cream; falls amber; gold beard. SDB 2-77: (Beau x Celestial Doll) X Turtledove. Cape Iris 1983. Honorable Mention 1985; Award of Merit 1987; Sass Medal 1989.

 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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Intermediate Bearded Iris IN BETWEEN

'IN BETWEEN' is out of a cross of Shirley Spicer's 1996 SDB 'Little Bridget' and Gordon Plough's 1976 Blue TB 'Glacier Magic'. Robust growth with nice clean foliage, blooms have good form with strong fluted standards, flaring and lightly ruffled falls and the colouration that reminds me of a indecisive modern version of the great Intermediate Bearded classic, 'June Prom', A. Brown 1966.
Standards are solid icy pale blue with no markings, the falls are one shade lighter, smartly deepening to a medium blue towards the falls centre, this is overlaid with deeper toned subtle violet blue striations that change to a heavier concentration of Olive coloured markings at the shoulders, just like 'June Prom' did. A pleasant but not overpowering fragrance and soft violet beard tipped light orange yellow darkening down the throat. Blooms are the ideal size for an intermediate and on rather strong , well-branched stalks. Works for me!

New Zealand Hybridisers Checklist 2011
IN BETWEEN  Shirley Spicer, R. 2009. Sdlg. SS/17/90. IB, 38-42" (97-107 cm), E ; S. pale blue; F. pale blue flushed deeper blue,  greenish striations on hafts; beards pale violet hairs tipped yellow; slight sweet fragrance. Little Bridget X Glacier Magic.

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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Intermediate Bearded Iris MAUI MOONLIGHT

An Iris to look out for this bloom season is Terry Aitkens 1986 Intermediate Iris 'Maui Moonlight'. This iris is a tough little beauty that has great plant health and takes no time at all to form a large robust clump. Lemon standards, with nicely ruffled and well proportioned lemon horizontal falls. It's great branching is just how it should be for all intermediate irises, couple this with multiple flowering rhizomes that have 2 or 3 stems per rhizome, producing a very bright and clean lemon effect when viewed as a clump. A big favourite in our garden.

IRISES A Gardener's Encyclopedia, Claire Austin
Iris 'Maui Moonlight'(T. Aitken 1987)
Everything about this lightly ruffled iris is lemon : the beards, and the scent. Height : 58cm (23") Bloom; Midseason. Parentage Lemon Rings X Dream Affair. Hans and Jacob Sass Medal 1993.

IRIS Flowers of the Rainbow, Graeme Grosvenor
Maui Moonlight, (Aitken 1987) 58cm. Soft lemon-yellow with very vigorous plant habits

Perry Dyers CONTEMPORARY VIEWS – 1992 . The SUN BELT AWARD Runners-up
I’ve usually got my ear to the ground and know what’s coming up, but I sure missed a beat on MAUI MOONLIGHT (Aitken 1987, IB) and didn’t get it the first couple of years it was on the market. The description is rather uneventful – a smooth light yellow self. But to grow it is a rewarding gardening experience. Perfect proportions, with wide, compactly formed flowers with just a hint of gentle waving, on 20-24” stalks that have exceptional branching, well positioned, with well-timed buds and flawless plant habits.

AIS Checklist 1989
MAUI MOONLIGHT J. T. Aitken, Reg. 1986  Sdlg. 82M22. IB, 23" (58 cm), M ; Lightly ruffled bright lemon yellow. Lemon Rings X Dream Affair. Aitken's Salmon Creek Garden 1987. HM 1989, AM 1991, Sass Medal 1993.

 Sold in New Zealand by Richmond Iris Garden in Nelson and Kiwi Iris Delights in Auckland (all links above in New Zealand Iris Growers) .
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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Keith Keppel Iris 2012 Catalogue

Yesterday the future arrived, doesn't happen often but that's the outcome when Keith Keppel's Iris Catalogue arrives in the post.  Each catalogue received becomes part of the truly amazing continuum from one of the hybridising Giant's of the Iris world. It's just to bad Importing Irises to New Zealand is a wee bit tough at the present time!! Anyway for those visitors to the blog lucky enough to live in the USA go and buy yourselves some classy Irises.
Catalogue also contains a very large listing of Barry Blyth's Irises. Keith does write however, that this is the last year to purchase a wide selection of irises before....if plans are carried through...next year they will transition from a catalogue format to a limited listing.

This has become an annual event for Heritage Irises and I only received an email from Keith 2 days ago telling me among other things that the Catalogue was on its way so no complaints with the postal service this time.

Cover Shot feature Tall Bearded Iris 'VOLCANIC GLOW'
(Montmartre X Lip Service) All that's missing is the smell of brimstone! Smoky, smouldering hot luminata, with aureolin. yellow standards flushed brownish red in the centre portion. Zanzibar red falls, with velvety wash overall, carry a  narrow aureolin edge, while the white hot heart is edged bright golden lemon. Beards are also golden lemon. Ruffled, with terminal and three branches up to eight buds

For a catalogue, please send $3 to: Keith Keppel P.O. Box 18154 Salem, OR 97305

Be sure to visit Keith Keppel's web site listed in the Iris Links on this page

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version which no doubt you can save and print.

And of course a major hat tip to Keith Keppel once again for sharing the magic

******

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Intermediate Bearded Iris " FURIOSO"

Bright little bugger isn't it !!!!! The Iris worlds 'High Vis' bloom. Photo taken this morning with an overcast sky. Four or five shots where brilliant but I have chosen this shot to accentuate the amazing Saturn red beards.

Tempo Two Iris, Daylilies, Hosta catalogue 1996-1997 season.
FURIOSO (Blyth 96 Aust.) EM. 24"
Bright and furiously coloured Median Iris. Standards are bright mid pink; falls are bright orange apricot and the whole flower is set off with Saturn red beards. A contrasting smooth bi-colour. Well branched stems with lots of flowers out at once and it is a excellent grower. Sweet Perfume ( Mango Kiss' X 'Bogota ) Sdlg. C72-A. $15.00

AIS Checklist 1999

FURIOSO (Barry Blyth, R. 1996). Seedling C72-A. IB, 24" (61 cm), EM. Standards medium pink; falls orange apricot; beards bright Saturn red; sweet fragrance. Mango Kiss' X 'Bogota'. Tempo Two 1996/97.

Selling this year in New Zealand at Amazing Iris Garden, or Richmond Irises for the princely price of $7.50 or $8.00 respectively so get your orders in before it sells out. It has also recently been reported that it is available bagged in North Island Garden Centres so go and ask them for one and if they don't have one get them to order one for you.

Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

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New Zealand Arilbred Median Iris 'GREEN DELIGHT'

Arilbred Median 'Green Delight', a New Zealand historic iris.
The registered description of 'Green self ' is somewhat simplistic and lacking in detail. In the Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color, Citronelle across all the range (98, 99,101,102) is a better colour match for this iris.White beard tipped Spanish yellow. An easy Iris to grow with no problems apart from slow increase. Blooms with the intermediate irises mid-season.

The Aril Society International 2009 Illustrated Official Checklist
GREEN DELIGHT OGB- (Mrs. Frances Love, R. 1977). AB-MED, 24” (61 cm), L. Green self. Yellow SDB seedling X Kalifa Gulnare. Hauauru Gardens, 1978. [APTT]
(Note APTT denotes Aril Bred Mediums with very limited fertility)

Sold in New Zealand from Kingswood Irises link on the left and is listed as an Intermediate (just so you know where to look in the catalogue when you get it)

If you have got a moment to spare Check out The Aril Society International web site.

Clicking the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Photo credit and copyright Iris Hunter

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New Zealand Intermediate Bearded Iris 'PAUL & MARY '

'Paul and Mary' is a Intermediate Bearded plicata Iris in which the pollen parent has dominated the form and colouration of the bloom. Having good increase as a plus it quickly makes a stunningly floriferous display. Blooms are subject to slight sun fade which is overcome by its bold colouration and waxy petals also making the blooms long lasting. The overall effect is a bright clump that has a airbrushed fade effect. Branching is good and well spaced. A child of the sixties with Wilma Greenlee's, 1968 SNOW CHERRIES , a white ground, rose-red intermediate plicata as the pod parent and WILD GINGER 1960, Jim Gibson's Tall Bearded classic ginger brown and creamy white plicata of good form fertile both ways, providing the pollen.

Bred in New Zealand by the late Paul Richardson, of Upper Hutt and was registered by his wife Mary in his memory. Paul was a past office holder and stalwart of the New Zealand Iris Society.

The Iris was sent to an iris 'garden' in the Wairarapa some years ago to be 'Introduced'. This has not happened to date. My understanding of 'Introduction' is the offering of a registered Iris for sale to the public, and the listing of the iris in catalogues, printed lists, or advertisements, including advertising in Iris Society publication's, are all the acceptable means of introduction. Irises must be recorded as introduced before they become eligible for awards. More importantly, previously registered names may be re-used if either the originally registered iris has not been introduced or distributed by name, or does not appear by name in parentage registrations. (There are 55 plus New Zealand registered Irises that potentially have an exposure to this ruling)

Placing this Iris unlabelled on a clubs sales table with a $2.00 price tag, could never remotely be considered as 'Introduced'.

Another part of this puzzle is how a classy iris that was only registered eight years ago has received no published references in New Zealand including Iris Society publications, either critiqued or visual apart from a checklist entry, and the plant itself just disappears. An unusual way you might say to show respect to the hybridiser.

New Zealand Iris Hybridisers Cumulative Checklist 2011
PAUL AND MARY (Paul Richardson, deceased, by Mary Richardson, R. 2002). IB, 26" (66cm), ML. S. soft greyed yellow (RHS 162B); F. white, deeper yellow (162A) border lightly dotted golden buff (164B); beards bright yellow to orange. Snow Cherries X Wild Ginger.

This Iris is very welcome to bloom in my garden any time and I would be more than proud to say I owned it. The more pleasing aspect is that after eight years from its registration, New Zealand gardeners finally get to see an Iris of pure class. I guess as the old saying goes "the cream will always rise to the top".

A big hat tip to Mary Richardson for her detailed colouration description included in the registration which made the initial identifying of "Paul and Mary" just a whole lot easier.

As an aside, two days after this post I receive a fantastic letter from Mary Richardson confirming the authenticity of "Paul and Mary" and in the same mail a very good Iris friend who has been completely oblivious to this posts investigation sends me a start of "Wild Ginger." I am twice blessed.

Clicking 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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Sergey Loktev 2010 Iris "PEACOCK EYE"

Heritage Irises are privileged to display for our visitors three of the many 2010 Introductions By Sergey Loktev of Russia.


First up today the aptly named Intermediate Iris which shows good form with unusual but striking colouration.
PEACOCK EYE, IMB, 04-280-5: (ROAD TO HELL x ROYAL OVATION).


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


Photo credit and copyright Sergey Loktev.

*****

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'STARWOMAN' wins the Dykes Medal!!!!

STARWOMAN is such a stand out Intermediate Iris and so deserving of this award and it's the first time for an Intermediate Bearded Iris to win.
It is only the second time in the history a median iris has been awarded Dykes' Medal by the American Iris Society. The first median to win a Dykes Medal was in 1981 and is the Border Bearded Iris 'Brown Lasso' (Buckles-Niswonger 1975)













DYKES MEDAL WINNER 2008 STARWOMAN (Marky Smith 1998). Previously winner of the Hans and Jacob Sass Medal 2005, AIS Award of Merit (AM) 2003, AIS Honorable Mention (HM) 2001.
The AIS at their annual convention in Portland, Oregon in 2006 also honoured Marky by presenting her with an AIS Hybridizer’s Medal.








AIS Checklist 1999

STARWOMAN Marky Smith, Reg. 1997, Sdlg. 90-26E. IB, 25" (64 cm), M; Standards blackish royal purple (blacker than RHS 86A), faint lavender grey marks at deep purple midrib; style arms strong mauve violet, edges greyer; Falls pearl (lighter than 156D) ground, ½" darkest black violet (darker than 86A) rim and center stripe, dark violet dashing and stitching within rim; beards blue violet at end, gold-tipped blue violet central area, yellow in throat; ruffled; slight sweet fragrance. Chubby Cheeks X Keppel 83-8A: (Snowbrook x sib). Aitken's Salmon Creek 1998. HM 2001, AM 2003, Sass Medal 2005, Dykes 2008.


'Starwoman' is available from Kingswood Irises 15 Railway Road Woodlands R D 1 Invercargill. Write to Marion Rutherford for their Catalogue which is on CD with some of the best Iris photos around. This iris nursery I highly recommend!!!! For our American visitors Starwoman can be purchased from Mid America, Aitken's Salmon Creek Garden, Schreiner's Iris Gardens. Visitors from England could try Claire Austin Hardy Plants. Links to these growers appear in the 'IRIS LINKS' on the left hand side.

American Iris Society 2008 Awards

DYKES MEMORIAL MEDAL STARWOMAN (Marky Smith)
JOHN C. WISTER MEDAL (TB) MILLENNIUM FALCON (Brad Kasperek)
KNOWLTON MEDAL (BB) TEAPOT TEMPEST (Lynn Markham)
HANS AND JACOB SASS MEDAL (IB) MING (Marky Smith)
WILLIAMSON-WHITE MEDAL (MTB) MASLON (Donald Spoon)
COOK-DOUGLAS MEDAL (SDB) CAT'S EYE (Paul Black)
CAPARNE-WELCH MEDAL (MDB) YAK ATTACK (Brad Kasperek)
MORGAN-WOOD MEDAL (SIB) FOND KISS (Marty Schafer/Jan Sacks)
CLARENCE G. WHITE MEDAL (AR & AB) BYZANTINE ART (Lowell Baumunk)
WILLIAM MOHR MEDAL (AB) SHABAZA (George Sutton)
FOUNDERS OF SIGNA MEDAL (SPEC) KRILL (Jill Copeland)
RANDOLPH PERRY MEDAL (SPEC-X) ALPHA GNU (Brad Kasperek)
SYDNEY B. MITCHELL MEDAL (CA) WINE AND CHEESE (Vernon Wood)
MARY SWORDS DEBAILLON MEDAL (LA) GREAT WHITE HOPE (Dorman Haymon)
ERIC NIES MEDAL (SPU) ELFIN SUNSHINE (B. Charles Jenkins)
WALTHER CUP (Most HM votes in any category) BLUEBEARD’S GHOST (Paul Black)

The complete listing of all American Iris Society Awards is on their official AIS Website

Its a great way to celebrate my 50th post for the blog.

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