By Sylvain Ruaud
During the time of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR, 1922–1991), it was difficult to share information about the cultivation of irises. In some countries, public authorities did not encourage this kind of leisure activity. A lot of energy and astuteness were required to obtain Western varieties and carry out crosses. Also, the cold continental climate of Russia is not very favorable to the culture of iris. Hybridizing irises in these conditions was not an easy task. Attempts were hardly conceivable except in the southern areas (now Ukraine and Kazakhstan), and it was in these regions where iris hybridization was practiced by some daring people.
Nina Miroshnichenko, in Jytomyr, west of Kiev, was the first of them. We do not know how she obtained the American or European varieties she used for crosses. Although Nina didn't have many, she knew how to use them. Between 1970 and 1980, we learned that Ukraine could be a land of irises. As soon as the Iron Curtain disappeared, Ukrainians enthusiastically embarked on hybridization in less favorable climatic conditions. Some Russians did exactly the same, to the point of putting their nation in the forefront for the number of creations each year. This beautiful adventure has continued since the beginning of the 21st century and Ukraine has developed closer ties to the countries of the European Union but the magnitude of contributions is not regularly discussed in the West. As the spotlight shines on the iniquity and horror of what is happening in this country, we can take a look at the culture and hybridization of irises in Ukraine and the different actors.
Marija Konovalenko, near Kyiv, with about 30 tall bearded irises of very classical workmanship, such as 'Kniazhyi Grad' (2018).
Gennadi Mamchenko, near Chernyiv, northeast of Kyiv, (see 'Zupyny Posmishku', 2012).
Volodymyr Vasyliev, near Mikolayiv, (see the original 'Boginya Solntsa',2020).
Borys Pravdyvy, from Kyiv, rather specialized in standard dwarf bearded irises but whose tall bearded plicata 'Sharada' (2012) is one of the most appreciated varieties in his country.
Some others became professionals, as follows:
Svitlana and Vladimir Yakovchuk
live near the town of Soumy, near the Russian-Ukrainian border, one of the
first to be invaded. They created a large number of varieties—including
standard dwarf bearded, intermediate bearded, and tall bearded—which
they market themselves. For example, the yellow 'Gilka Zolota' (2010) is floriferous
and well-branched and meets criteria used in the West.
Alla Chernoguz, from Kyiv, has been active mainly in the field of standard dwarf bearded and tall bearded irises for about 15 years. A good example of her work is the yellow amoena 'Soniachni Klarnety' (2010). Some of the irises from this breeder are found in Western Europe.
Evgenyi Nazarov, also from Kyiv, is a new breeder who seems to be particularly gifted as with this 'Shovkova Vual' (2020), which should however be judged "on the spot", but that is not the case.
Igor Khorosh, from Ternopil, west of Kyiv, perhaps the best known of all, because he came to France on the occasion of the "Franciris ©" competition, and is the creator of a remarkable series of varieties whose names, in English, evoke their origin, like 'Ukrainian Christmas' (2019), heavily laced like its American relative.
All of this hard work was before the current situation, which upset Ukraine, most of all, and also the whole world. We are concerned about the fate of each of the breeders mentioned. Some, who were active on the Internet at the beginning of the conflict have now fallen silent. Others continue to call for help. The world of irises is not spared from the drama and no one knows what it will be like in Ukraine when all this ends. But one thing is certain. After the Second World War, French iris growers, who had spent five years repurposing their nurseries to producing food for their fellow citizens, replanted their beloved rhizomes and recreated these flowers which also contributed to the recovery of their country. Ukraine, which knows how to resist so well, will certainly know how to bloom again.
