ANOTHER LOOK AT PLICATAS IN THE IRIS PATCH

By Dawn Mumford

Plicatas: irises that have stippled, dotted or stitched edges around the rim and possibly also the standards on a ground color of white, yellow, apricot, or pink. (Stippling, in drawing, painting, and engraving, is to mark a surface with numerous small dots or specks.) The ground color on the standards and falls doesn't have to be the same. There can be dotting, peppering, or striping covering the falls and standards. Hybridizers are working on creating plicatas with more intense depth of color, such as orange, for the background. 

This is 'Drama Queen' (Keppel,2002) with artistic effects that really dramatize the lines and stippling of this stunning iris.

For this post, I have put together a continuation of my last theme on how to use photos to extend the iris season. The last post described using different media to enjoy irises.  This slideshow is on plicatas, and also uses Smilebox (you do not have to have it downloaded on your computer to view the show). 

The slideshow has 49 pictures, counting the collages at the end, lasts seven minutes, and has musical accompaniment, so adjust the volume on your speakers.
Here is the link: Plicata Slide Show Plicata Updated 

While the slideshow is loading click on the button to make the show full screen.  It looks like this except yours won't be yellow. 

I hope all of you have at least a few plicatas. They add interest to the garden. If you grow plicatas, post in the comment section below which are your favorites.  I would love to hear from you.