2009 American Iris Society Awards

.

.

DYKES MEMORIAL MEDAL

GOLDEN PANTHER (Richard Tasco)

THE JOHN C. WISTER MEDAL (TB) (4 awards)

PAUL BLACK (Thomas Johnson)

DRAMA QUEEN (Keith Keppel)

ITALIAN ICE (Anna & David Cadd)

SLOVAK PRINCE (Anton Mego)

THE KNOWLTON MEDAL (BB)

BORDER CONTROL (Thomas Johnson)

THE HANS AND JACOB SASS MEDAL (IB)

DEVIL MAY CARE (Paul Black)

THE WILLIAMSON-WHITE MEDAL (MTB)

SOMEWHAT QUIRKY (Riley Probst)

THE COOK-DOUGLAS MEDAL (SDB)

PUDDY TAT (Paul Black)

THE CAPARNE-WELCH MEDAL (MDB)

TINY TITAN (J. T. Aitken)

THE CLARENCE G. WHITE MEDAL (AR & AB)

SPIRIT OF CALEB (Peter McGrath)

THE WILLIAM MOHR MEDAL (AB)

SUE BEE (Susie Kammer by Tim Stanek, selector)

THE FOUNDERS OF SIGNA MEDAL (SPEC)

PETIT LION (Lowell Baumunk)

THE RANDOLPH PERRY MEDAL (SPEC-X)

DOLCE (Paul Black)

THE SYDNEY B. MITCHELL MEDAL (CA)

MENDOCINO BLUE (Robert & Janet Canning)

THE MARY SWORDS DEBAILLON MEDAL (LA)

HENRY ROWLAN (M. D. Faith)

THE MORGAN-WOOD MEDAL (SIB)

RUFFLES AND FLOURISHES (Robert Hollingworth)

THE ERIC NIES MEDAL (SPU)

MISSOURI AUTUMN (O. D. Niswonger)

THE PAYNE MEDAL (JI)
LITTLE BOW PINK (Donald Delmez)
Runners Up:
DIRIGO RED ROCKET (John White)
RIVULETS OF WINE (J. T. Aitken)

WALTHER CUP (Most HM votes in any category)

BUNDLE OF LOVE (Paul Black)

*****

Read More

Just who was New Zealand's Pioneer Iris Breeder?

"Inquiry is fatal to certainty" Will Durant

Just who was New Zealand's inaugural pioneer Iris Breeder??
'Henry Budden, Nelson, 1842-1902' would have to be the front runner based on validated research to date, but I must qualify my answer by stating that at the present time there can be no definitive answer, its just that New Zealand's Early Iris breeding history is becoming a moving landscape.
From information to date it's known that he raised, selected and introduced into commerce at least two Japanese Irises MINNIE and CHARLES SAYWELL before 1887.

Notes referring to plates 27.,28. IRIS KAEMPFERI. This is of a comparatively recent introduction, and is perhaps the most stately and beautiful of the genera. Both single and duplex are equally grand; they have been cultivated here for some time and have seeded, from which have been raised several seedlings that have been pronounced by competent judges in other parts of the colony to compare very favourably with any of the imported varieties, being in each case very distinct. Of Nelson varieties Charles Saywell is a single densely reticulated with lavender. Nelson Weekly News (1886-87)

plate 27; Charles Saywell

The two illustrations displayed are from the Book 'Bulbous flowers: A colonial nurseryman's catalogue', by H Budden and are courtesy of the Oxford University Press, Wellington. The book is a reproduction of 40 small paintings, with the artist's comments, which were originally privately printed in one volume in the 1880s. Included in the 1979 edition, is an Introduction from his great-granddaughter Janice Kennedy, the Preface and Notes on the illustrations are by Barbara Mathews.

TOWN EDITION Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 1889
Mr H. Budden, the well known seeds man of Bridge Street, who has opened a branch business in Cuba street, Wellington, has favoured us with an inspection of an illustrated catalogue of a number of the bulbous flowers he grows at his nursery at Riwaka. The word " catalogue" certainly conveys very inadequately the exceedingly artistic manner in which it has been produced. The volume is handsomely bound in leather, and contains rather more than one hundred pages, one half of which are devoted to letter press, giving the botanical names of the bulbs, their habitat, together with a short description of each flower and the nature of the soil to which it is best adapted. The chief charm, however, of the volume is comprised in the pages which alternate with the descriptive matter every other leaf in the book being " the like presentment" of different bulbous flowers. The varieties depicted are very numerous, and each picture presents a flower totally distinct in form and colour to the one preceding it. The blossoms have been hand painted from nature by Mr Budden, some being drawn to full size, the remainder, on account of their dimensions, being reduced to half size. The colours of the flowers and their leaves have been faithfully reproduced, and these " Bulbous Flowers, " by which title the work is known, cannot fail to prove a valuable guide to amateur gardeners in their selection, The catalogue has been prepared by Mr Budden, on whom it reflects infinite credit, for his branch establishment in Wellington.

Nelson Evening Mail, 1 December 1898, Page 2, HORTICULTURAL SHOW , MOTUEKA
From Budden and Son came a large collection of the new strain of Chinese peony. These are exceedingly attractive, fine in form, and brilliant in colour; also new double Chinese peonies, fine in colour and size. The very large collection of German iris (from the same firm), which are so quaint in colour and form, drew great attention.

plate 28; Minnie

The AIS 1929 Checklist clearly states in the Introduction 'In 1922 and 1923 the American Iris Society published abbreviated check lists (Bulletins 4 and 8) of Irises considered to be in commerce but omitting, for reasons of expense of printing, several thousand older Irises that were believed to be obsolete. Research, however, has been continued and this present work attempts to publish all that is know about Iris names that have appeared in gardening literature during the last hundred or more years. The officers have felt that this information which had been compiled by much hard work was of great value for students and ought to be placed in permanent and available form.'
It should also be noted that prior to 1920 a Iris registry did not exist so Irises bred prior to that date could not be registered by the hybridiser. Checklists from 1929-1949 were titled AIS Alphabetical Iris Check List and it was not until the 1959 Check List did the title change to Iris Check List of Registered Cultivar Names, the change in title was not retrospective and is decade specific.

Both of these Japanese Irises more than met all of the criteria set by the AIS for inclusion in the 1929 and 1939 checklists.
1.They were grown from seed produced on the property in New Zealand and selected by the Originator
2.They were named and catalogued which included the very fine watercolours of these varieties
3. They were available for sale (Introduced)
4. They were displayed at various Horticultural show's and discussed favourably by competent judges.
5.They both come with proven provenance.
All of this would lead one to kindly conclude that the omission of these two cultivars was only because they were not known about, but this should not be a reason to ignore this credible and important part of New Zealand Iris breeding history, and is certainly not a reason to omit these Irises from any Check-list. Readers also need to take on board that there is no proof of these irises been obsolete and their current status could be as labeled a NOID.
I am sure there will be interest from the very progressive Japanese Iris Society and its cumulative Check List editor concerning these irises.
As historical research is an continuum I will post more on the subject of Henry Budden, when more information comes to hand that can be confirmed. T.J.

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.
Image credit and copyright Oxford University Press, Wellington. ©.  

Read More

Tall Bearded Historic Iris "CRAFTSMAN "

Strong rich yellow standards and white falls with a well defined band around the falls of the standards colour. An iris that is just a big sunny smile.
Its a great garden Iris that was still sold in New Zealand until recently. Good size blooms, a yellow which does not fade and plant with good health. I mean lets face it, a 1960 iris that is not a great performer would not of survived 50 years and would have made the compost heap years ago if had being anything other than better than good. Awarded by the American Iris Society a Honorable Mention 1965, Judges Choice 1966, and Award of Merit 1967 can give a good indication of the merits this Iris brings to a garden

Region 14 Northern California, Nevada,Regional Bulletin, Spring 1965.
Varietal Comments, Hazel Stewart, San Jose, California.
CRAFTSMAN, Knopf 1964; One of the best liked of the new introductions viewed at our 1964 regional in San Jose. It has deep yellow standards nicely ruffled and domed. The falls are wide and flaring with a wide band of deep yellow trim.. It is tall well branched and a glowing orange beard adds to its good qualities, and I have never seen such heavy substance.

 AIS Checklist 1969
CRAFTSMAN (M. Knopf, R. 1963). Sdlg. 62-12. TB 38" M-L. Y4W. S deep yellow; F white, yellow border; orange beard. Golden Garland X Mission Trails., Tell, Knopf 1964. HM 1965, JC 1966, AM 1967.

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

Read More

'Book Day Afternoon'

My Bigger than Ben-Hur Book Day today. Spent a good percentage of the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon at the National Library, Wellington. (Making good progress with the Iris known as or perhaps its better put, grown as I. Swerti.)
Walking back to the car park I stopped by Pegasus Books, in the Left Bank, Cuba Mall, where I purchased a pre-loved book titled 'PLANT' for twenty five dollars which is amazing buying for a 515 page large book that can only be described as encyclopedic and I must say it wasn't pre-loved for long as its in mint condition.
The Book description from the dust cover.
From cultivating plants that are on the international endangered list or already extinct in the wild, to avoiding invasive species, gardeners can play a vital role in conservation. A ground breaking reference for both plant enthusiasts and gardeners, 'Plant' is a new-generation designed to provide environmental and horticultural information so that gardeners can make the right decisions about what to grow in their gardens.
The Author, Janet Marinelli is the Director of Publishing at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and editor of the BBG's internationally-respected series of gardening handbooks. Endorsed by the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew this superbly illustrated book features an extensive encyclopaedia of threatened plants covering every conceivable type. I found it interesting to read that a few Irises have made it to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .
All and all a very enjoyable day.

Read More

Tall Bearded Historic Iris "WABASH "

Fragrant, Classic and Tailored elegance are the attributes that 'Wabash' a very popular Iris in the 1940's adds to any Garden it is growing in. High plant health, good increase, and copious bloom right from year one makes this iris the winner of the Dykes Medal in 1940 a must have. This iris display's the purple bottom foliage that is essential for the correct ID of this variety but this aspect would not be a clincher as I have always firmly believed that the elusive and mysterious Mt. McKINLEY, a 1947 Schreiner's introduction has the same PBF, with slightly larger flowers, it bloom's only marginally earlier and is a dead ringer of Wabash.
Above photo taken over at the Woolshed garden and shows background plantings of 'Iceberg' Climbing Rose and Penstemon 'Purple Passion'.
I grow just a few of the Williamson stable of Irises which are noted for their good growing abilities and my list of E. B. Williamson registrations includes some of the first Table Irises (MTB) registered, Kinglet (1934) with its lemon standards and lemon flushed brown falls and the pale blue cultivar Chewink (1937) both are the very rare and no longer sold in commerce in their country of origin. (USA)

Carl Salbach Berkeley, California, Iris and Selected Seed Specialists, 1941.
WABASH (Williamson 1936) For a long time we have been looking for a good big iris with white standards and deep blue falls. Wabash fills the bill in every particular.It is described by the introducer as "A sensation in Iris of this type. You can see it a city block," and comments by A.I.S. judges include: "One of the most beautiful irises ever introduced," and "Far ahead of others in the amoena class."
Technically described as standards white, falls hyacinth violet, edged white. H.M.A.I.S., 1937. 40" 

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog 1948
WABASH (Williamson 1936) M 36"
'Fresh toned as any orchid this Amoena with snowy white standards and ultramarine-blue falls with brighter margining. The best and one of the very true amoenas, it is a standout. For illustration of this clear contrasted flower see page 23

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, Iris Lovers Catalog 2009.
Wabash, E.B. Williamson, 1936, 35" Mid Season,Fragrant, Dykes Medal '40
We are proud to offer Wabash, a truly historic Iris. Its simple tailored form speaks with a quiet elegance. The clean white standards offer good contrast to the deep plush reddish purple of its falls. Note also the delicate white wire rim on the edges of the falls.

Stevens Bros. Bulls, New Zealand, Irises 1940-41
WABASH (Williamson)
Fresh toned as any orchid is this lovely novelty with snowy white standards and ultramarine falls with brighter margining. Destined for a great future. 3ft. 25/-

Illustration courtesy Schreiners Iris Lovers Catalog, page 23, 1948

Interesting information gleaned from the 1939 Checklist about the Hybridiser's father Edward Bruce Williamson 1877- 1933, Banker, Naturalist, Authority on Dargonflies. Fellow of Vanderbilt University 1900-1901, Assistant Curator, Carnegie Museum 1898-1899, Honorable Curator odonata, University of Michigan 1916-1928 and from 1928-1933, Research associate, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
Began to raise Irises about 1906, interested in making crosses between species and later worked with Bearded mostly, producing many splendid varieties especially noted for their good growing qualities.
Longfield Iris Farm Bluffton Indiana was founded by E B Williamson . Paul Cook became a partner in 1920 but retired in 1928 to devote his time to breeding.Mr Williamson can be considered as the second really great Iris breeder in the United States, Mr Farr having been first. After Mr Williamson's death in 1933 the nursery has been carried on by his daughters and is now being run by Mary Williamson. The Williamson Irises have been noted, LENT A WILLIAMSON being the landmark in Iris breeding equal perhaps to DOMINION in this respect. 'Wabash' is the name of Indiana's most famous river.
Recently many fine new varieties have gone forth including the Rome Gold Medal winner, E.B. WILLIAMSON (P.Cook), SABLE (P.Cook), AMIGO , WABASH , MOONGLO , DOLLY MADISON, ETHEL PECKHAM.

From the 1936 Longfield Iris Farm Catalog
Meanings of Iris Names
Wabash- The name according to J.P. Dunn is an abbreviation of the Miami name for stream- Wa-ba-shi-ki or Wa-pa-shi-ki meaning bright white and referring to the limestone bed of the stream in its upper course.

AIS Checklist 1939
WABASH
M. Williamson, 1936 TB M W3D, (Dorothy Dietz X Cantabile), HM 1937, AM 1938, Dykes Medal 1940.



AIS 1939 Checklist page 47, Longfield Iris Farm, infers Mary Williams as the Originator, but the Iris Society, (BIS), Year Book 1941, p21, notes the following.
The Dykes Medal was awarded to the American Iris Society to:-
WABASH-Raised by Miss Mary Williamson, Longfeild Iris Farm, Bluffton, Indiana (which pretty much removes all doubt.) I have taken the liberty and have come to the conclusion that Mary Williamson is the undisputed originator of 'Wabash'
I have recently received information from Mr Jerry Oswalt of Bluffton Indiana which reinforces this view point


Cataloged by Schreiners in the 1940's and still available from Schreiners today which is an incredible 70 years of being sold in the iris market. Well grown for sale in New Zealand by Julie May at 'The Iris Garden'  

Big hat tip to Jerry Oswalt for sharing the additional information
Photo Credit and Copyright Iris Hunter

Read More

Tall Bearded Iris "BOLD FASHION"

Big, Bold, and stunning blooms are what you get when get to grow 'Bold Fashion'. Colour's take a bit of getting used to and I'm not 100% convinced if it is an Amoena type due to its creamy peach standards. Judith Berrisford summed up this situation in her book 'Irises' (Gardening Book Club, 1961) when she coined the term 'Near-Amoenas' in which the near white standards are tinted with some other colour and have deeper coloured falls. Or just maybe it is a brassy Emma Cook pattern iris in full high definition colour. Whatever it is, the involved parentage of 'Gypsy Woman' had a big say in the way 'Bold Fashion' presents. Fertile, so could make an interesting parent.

Cooleys Gardens, Silverton, Oregon. Iris Catalog 2002. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/tall-bearded-space-age-iris-conjuration.html#sthash.E2wMamvu.dpuf

Schreiner's, Salem,Oregon, 1999, Iris Lovers Catalog.
BOLD FASHION (Schreiner 1998) TB M L 37"
Both the daring color pattern and immense size of the seven inch flowers promise a bombastic winner- fashionably bold. Our picture on page 7 accurately show the audaciously unique 1½ " band of violet-purple around the edges of the falls. Its standards are coloured creamy peach and have finely serrated edges. Bright tangerine beards make this the color carnival glow
 
AIS Checklist 1999
BOLD FASHION Schreiner 1998 TB M L 37" S. and style arms Egyptian buff; F. white, 1" violet purple rim; beards tangerine.AA 674-A: (M 1176-C, unknown, x S 885-1: (Cut Crystal x ((Glazed Orange sib x Orange Chariot) x Lacy Snowflake))) X AA 1315-B: (Gypsy Woman x (Gypsy Woman x Nearpass 81-11: ((Touche x (Country Music x Lady of Loudoun)) x Sea of Stars)))
 

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 ©.

Read More

The Siberian Iris

.



.



The Spring 2009 The Siberian Iris has turned up in the Post, and as usual an enjoyable and informative read.
The photo featured on the cover is of Siberian Irises in Norway with the Valderøy fjord in the background. Photo credit Patricia Hamilton.

TSI is distributed to members of the Society of Siberian Irises twice a year, with interesting information and coloured photos dedicated to the amazing Siberian Irises.

Siberian Iris lovers worldwide who wish to receive quality iris information plus the many other benefit's of membership should give serious thought to Join The Society for Siberian Irises it's a great investment, for a very reasonable cost.
For folks living in the U.S. or Canada, Single Annual $10.00, Single Triennial $25.00, Family Annual $12.00, Family Triennial $30.00.For folks living in other interesting places (Overseas), Annual $15.00, Triennial $40.00. (All US Dollars)

For more information on these beardless aristocrat's of the garden or how to join this friendly Society go to the Siberian Iris Society web site or click on the TSI Bulletin above

*****

Read More

Tall Bearded Iris IRWELL ACE

Could a peony grower from the Manawatu explain just which “good authority” he is referring to when he recently publicly stated : “I have it on good authority that the wrong ID of the Begg Shield Iris was entirely the fault of the hybridiser”?
His poorly informed point of view demands the following retort:

In November 2008 at the Gisborne Iris Convention, 'Irwell Ace' an Iris bred by Ron Bush won the Begg Shield- or did it?
An article published in the Central Canterbury News (CNN) February 25th 2009 (see below) features a photo of an iris attributed to Ron and supplied to the CCN by a senior member of the NZIS who attended the Gisborne Convention as the Begg Shield winning Iris. I am sure you will agree it's not a flattering photo for whatever the variety might be, but it clearly shows that the iris depicted in the article is not the one in the scanned photo above from Ron's photo album, and it bears no resemblance to the Checklist description for this cultivar. The only logical conclusion one could make is that the Begg Shield winning Iris is not 'Irwell Ace'.
Apparently a Begg Shield iris is judged by a panel of THREE ACCREDITED JUDGES, yet none were able to spot the mistake. Even using the concept of 'Blind Judging', after an Iris has a prize awarded and a name is attributed to the winners, who checked that these are correct?
All of the six irises submitted to the Gisborne Convention Garden by Ron Busch in 2006 were labelled and were registered in 2007, so descriptions were available well before the time of judging in 2008. In fact the registrations of these Irises were published in the NZIS booklet #172 June 2007, and perhaps that was the start of the problem. 'Irwell Ace' published on page 11 is listed as 'IRWELL LACE' and for this iris it seems it all went downhill from there.
One would have to think that this situation is nowhere near 'Gold Standard' and that this group has got this situation horribly wrong, but it gets worse.
I have been reliably informed that the Iris pictured below in the CCN article was divided and auctioned for very high prices at the Convention as 'Irwell Ace' so now how many Irises are growing in New Zealand gardens with potentially the wrong ID. There are other questions that need answering. What has happened to the real 'Irwell Ace' that was sent to the trial gardens? Was that also sold and auctioned as well? And under which label could this iris now growing?
Seriously, which would be easier? Having the patience, the knowledge, and years to hybridise an Iris that is good enough to be registered, or growing an Iris in a garden with the correct label for just 2½ years? The big problem here is the complete disrespect shown to a Top New Zealand Hybridiser. All of which should get the,"I make a point never to read the Heritage Irises blog but a friend happened to point out............." brigade trying to justify their flaky position on this matter

Listed below is the checklist descriptions of all the Irises submitted by Ron Busch to the Gisborne Convention Garden.

IRWELL ACE (Ron Busch R. 2007). Sdgl S1490-1205. TB, 31" (91cm) ML. S style arms and F. gold. F. ½" purple brown plicata border, gold brown edge, purple brown shoulders; beards yellow. Parentage unknown.
IRWELL COURAGE (Ron Busch R. 2007). Sdlg. 01587-2149. TB 40" (102cm). M. S.lemon, red purple midrib and blush at base: style arms yellow, purple centre; F. Red-purple, ¼" paler edge, yellow shoulders; beards bronze. Parentage unknown.
IRWELL ELEGANCE. (Ron Busch R. 2007). Sdgl. E925. TB 36" (91 cm). M. S. wine red; style arms orange and wine red; F. velvety wine-red, ⅛" plain wine red border,white veining in throat; beards red orange. Parentage unknown.
IRWELL QUEEN (Ron Busch, R. 2007). Sdlg. 986-9932. TB, 40" (102 cm), M. S. and style arms orange; F. orange ground, cinnamon brown plicata markings overall, pale pink edge; beards orange. Irwell Supreme X Unknown
IRWELL QUEEN’S DRAMA (Ron Busch R. 2007). Sdgl. M1552-0283. TB. 38" (97cm), M. S. Orange; style arms light purple, orange edge; F. Apricot, 1" wide band of red-copper spotting; beards orange bronze. Parentage unknown.
IRWELL SUCCESSOR Ron Busch, Reg., 2007. Sdlg.K29. TB, 36", (91 cm), M. S. Yellow flushed gold; style arms gold; F. Purple plicata markings on yellow ground, lemon edge, cinnamon shoulders; beards lemon to yellow. Parentage Unknown

The above article with thanks and courtesy Central Canterbury News
Click on any photo to view a larger image

Read More

Intermediate Iris 'RASPBERRY ACRES'

This Intermediate Iris has a increase similar to weeds, virtually un-stoppable.This early blooming Iris has increase similar to weeds, virtually un-stoppable. It's  bloom colouring is distinctively old fashioned, reminds me of you know toile, or  if that doesn't ring a bell how about red and cream transferware! Get what I mean?? Great to grow somewhere near the front of the border.
It's pod parentage is from Jim Gibson's Award winning 1960 introduction 'Henna Stitches' described by Cooleys as 'A very bright combination of frosty white and gleaming henna-copper'.
Raspberry Acres, has an interesting pollen parent pedigree which is the seedling F4 .
Seedling F4 pod parent is Cretica a very old dainty small rose-purple form of I.pumila (a clone or natural Hybrid) that apparently was collected on the island of Crete by Atchley about 1929 and was registered by a vote of the Board of Directors of the AIS in 1952. A 32 chromosome Iris with the plª allele which gives this Iris ( Cretica) the ability take the plicata pattern of the tall bearded iris and transfer this when crossed to produce a first generation plicata in Median and Dwarf Irises, and undoubtedly is the genetic link which helps join the dots. The pollen parent of Seedling F4 is David Hall's 1951 Dykes Medal Tall Bearded Iris 'Cherie'. The most famous of all the Hall flamingo Pinks' a bright medium pink with large ruffled blooms.( a cross of sdlg.42-07 X Fantasy(from several generations of seedling involving Rameses, Dauntless, Jean Cayeux, Morocco Rose))

An iris which has a genetic History+, and in my opinion still has an interesting breeding potential for use in the median plicata field and as I have noted that it does set seed. 

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1969, Number 195.
Intermediate and Standard Dwarf Bearded, Alta Brown.
RASPBERRY ACRES (Greenlee '68), lovely white ground, raspberry-rose plicata:

Bulletin of the American Iris Society, October 1969, Number 195.
 Flightlines. The Little Early Ones, Mildred Brizendine, Topeka, Kansas.
Of the IBs, I feel ARABI TREASURE was the best in every respect. Wilma Greenlee's come next. Her reds, INDIAN FIRE and 64-6, are outstanding. RASPBERRY ACRES and SNOW CHERRIES are red plics.

Mission Bell Gardens, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Hamblen, Roy Utah. Iris for 1973
RASPBERRY ACRES. (Greenlee '68) E. 18in. White ground plicata marked with raspberry. pink, brown; beard white brown tipped. Dainty. (Henna Stitches) X (F4 Cretica x Cherie). HM'72

4~ Square Iris Gardens, Eau Claire,Wisconsin, Cold Climate Iris, 1982.
RASPBERRY ACRES. (Greenlee 1968) White ground plicata sanded raspberry-pink and brown...........................................0.79¢
The reason I have included this short and to the point listing is that the catalogue states "plants are grown in a very harsh climate. Temperatures from -40°F in winter and up to 100°F in the summer. Coupled with the harsh climate is a short growing season," this would most likely indicate 'Raspberry Acres' is a hardy iris

AIS Checklist 1969
RASPBERRY ACRES (W. Greenlee, R. 1968). Sdlg. 67-2. IB 18" E. W2RV-O. White ground plicata sanded raspberry pink and brown; white beard tipped brown. Henna Stitches X Greenlee rose-pink sdlg. (F4 Cretica x Cherie)., Greenlee 1968.

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 ©.

Read More