'Total Recall' is my best iris. It was created by Ben Hager, who hybridized just about every kind of iris you can think of. He contributed many beautiful reblooming irises to the world, and I grow a number of them. But 'Total Recall' beats them all.
'Total Recall' has wide, ruffled falls and does not mush up under sprinkler water. The buds have double sockets, so the bloom period lasts a long time.
Each fan produces a stalk with flowers. The rhizomes grow out a bit from the mother rhizome, so the plants do not get crowded and the fans do not grow sideways. I have not divided this clump since it was planted in 2008 and I won't need to do it this year.
'Total Recall' is a blooming machine: almost an ever-bloomer in Southern California. Here it is in spring,
in early summer,
and in fall. It will bloom into January.
In a display with other irises before the roses bloom,
and again after the roses.
It looks good in mixed plantings
or all by itself.
There are fancier irises in my garden, but none gives me the cheerful year-round happiness of 'Total Recall.'
Which iris is your best performer?
Hello there, beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteIn the fourth picture down, can you identify the orange iris in the background? It's absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you!
Thank you, Polly. The orange iris in the fourth picture down is a Border Bearded iris called 'Maid of Orange.' It seldom needs to be divided in my yard, and this year it rebloomed, even though it is not listed as a rebloomer. The foliage is nice and slim and upright, and the flowers are above the foliage and get tall for a Border Bearded iris.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Renee. And thank you once again for the lovely pictures. I look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteI will search out that iris, for sure!
Renee, great tribute to 'Total Recall.'
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Remontant. Great moniker!
ReplyDelete