The French Iris That Conquered the United States

By Sylvain Ruaud

We — almost — do not need to introduce iris 'Condottiere' (Jean Cayeux 1978) to the American public, certainly the most used French iris in hybridization around the world. It comes from the crossing 'Falbala' X ('Triton' x sowing 6507A). It displays a big flower in two tones of blue-mauve, with a red mint beard. The beard comes from one of its parents, 'Falbala' (Cayeux 1978), who carries it from its grandparents, 'Christmas Time' (Schreiner 1966), and great grandparent, 'Arctic Flame' '(Fay 1960). As for the blue-purple hue, it comes from both 'Falbala' and 'Triton' (Julander 1962), one of its 'grandparents'. Richard Cayeux, in his book The Iris, a Royal Flower explains that "Condottiere" results from "the use of 'Emma Cook' and 'Whole Cloth' for the amoena character and rose-tangerine beard transferred on blue (the pink variety being 'Tahiti Sunrise')."

'Condottiere"--image by Brock Heilman

One of the attributes of 'Condottiere' is to transmit to its descendants its two essential characteristics: the amoena model (white petals, blue sepals), and the mandarin beard. In France, the Cayeux family has extensively used 'Condottiere' in its crosses. Not only in their search for varieties "blue-white-red", but also to obtain neglectas or two-colored with red beards ('Beatrice Cherbuy' -1987 -, 'Bengal Fire' -1989 -, 'Tourbillon' -1990 - , 'Virevolte' -1990 -, 'Hortense C.' -1993 -, 'Val De Loire' -1998 -, 'Volute' -1996 -) as well as other varieties such as the unclassifiable 'Sixtine C.' -1994-, 'Starlette Rose' -1996- or 'Alizés' -1987- which did not inherit the red beard, but are certainly part of the success stories of the 1980s.

'Sixtine C'--image by Cayeux

Proof that 'Condottiere' is a leading variety has been the outstanding success it has had in the U.S. There are more than seventy varieties from its first generation. A total of eighteen U.S. hybridizers used 'Condottiere'. Let's take a tour of the main ones.

Monty Byers

Monty is without a doubt the most active of its users. He recorded eighteen of his descendants all produced from the crossing ‘Sky Hooks’ X ‘Condottiere’, which we regret not to have an image. Two varieties differ somewhat: 'Imagine That' (1989) and 'Spirit' (1986). 'Magic Kingdom' (1988) and 'Mauvelous' (1987) are among those who have had abundant offspring, notably by Tom Burseen, but the two champions of the series are 'Conjuration '(1988) ('Sky Hooks' x 'Condottiere') X 'Alpine Castle' and 'Mesmerizer' (1990) ('Sky Hooks' x' Condottiere ') X ‘Branching Out ', both honored with a Dykes Medal. These varieties add to the qualities of 'Condottiere' spurs from 'Sky Hooks'.

'Conjuration"--image by Brock Heilman

'Mesmerizer"--image by Brock Heilman

Fred Kerr

He first made crosses ('Peach Picottee' X 'Condottiere') and ('Gypsy Woman' X 'Condottiere') from which he obtained the majority of ten registered varieties. Perhaps the most successful of these is 'Age of Innocence' (1994) (Edith Wolford X Condottiere).

Schreiners

They often used the crossing ('Firewater' X 'Condottiere') and produced seven new irises including the pink variety 'Sentimental Rose' (2000), the variegata 'Mexican Holiday' (2004) and the surprising 'Rum is the Reason' (2017).

'Rum is the Reason'

Stan Dexter

Is the author of two crossings that brought him a lot of success: ('Leda's Lover' X 'Condottiere') and ('American Beauty' X 'Condottiere'). This resulted in five registered varieties whose distribution has remained fairly confidential.

Donald Spoon

Recorded four varieties whose pedigree have 'Condottiere'. The crossings are a little different from each other but they include several times 'Clear Day' and 'Ringo'. The amoenas 'Carrie Winter' (2011) and 'Star Lord' (2015), who are cousins, have an undeniable family likeness.

'Carrie Winter' 

Additionally...

Let us also mention the crossing ('Condottiere' x 'Night Edition') used by Tom Burseen four times and especially for the 'broken colors 'Holy Kosmoly' (2000). Sydney DuBose for 'Dream Machine' (1989), a red-bearded lilac; Ben Hager for 'Lark Ascending' (1996), in shades of white; Chuck Chapman with 'Artist's Palette' (2000), purple with sepals bordered with brown and his cousin 'Sargeant Preston' (2000).

'Artist's Palette'--image by Brock Heilman

A few varieties have turned tricolor, which are dear to the Cayeux family in France. This is the case of George Shoop who proposed 'French Connection' (1987) in reference to the work of his friend Jean Cayeux, or 'Regal Affair' (1989). Don Nebeker, with 'Delightsum' (1997) ventured on the same path.

With so many potential parents, the descendants are necessarily very numerous, which is why it is no exaggeration to say that 'Condottiere' has conquered America! It is a pride for the Cayeux family and the French hybridizers in general.

The World of Irises is the official blog of The American Iris Society. Now in its 99^th year, The American Iris Society exists to promote all types of irises. If you wish to comment on a post, you can do so at the end of the page and the author or the editors will reply. If you wish to learn more about The American Iris Society, follow the link.

The Iris Grower's Struggle, Part II

by Carlos Ayento

As mentioned previously, the Chicago iris gardener is presented with many problems: humid summers, cold winters without snow cover, and the pests such as grey squirrels, rabbits and iris borers.  While pest can be controlled to an extent, weather cannot; and only the toughest irises survive and thrive in the Windy City. 

In my last blog, I provided a sampling of some West Coast iris originations that have grown well in the City of Chicago.  Today, I present a listing of modern irises by introduced by various iris hybridizers that have proven themselves to be superb growers.  If you have some difficulties growing iris, give these a try!

From Anthony and Dorothy Willott, we have Hallucination (2006).  It is a remarkable standard dwarf bearded origination for its red-violet bands, veining and dotting.  The carrot-red beards make a nice touch.  It has proven extremely resilient and vigorous.  It was attacked by squirrels in June and has made a remarkable comeback.

Bijou (George Sutton, 2002) was an iris that I received as a gift from an order placed in 2007 or so.  I’m am so glad that I received it.  It has been nothing short of amazing and is quick to form clumps in the garden.  I’m also a sucker for blue-pink irises, especially ones with blue beards!

Direct from Canada, one of my personal favorites of Chuck Chapman’s introductions is his Summoned Spirit (2002).  It’s an intriguing medley of pale gold and blues, almost as if each petal was individually brush stroked.  The bonus of it being bred in Canada is that it is completely cold-hardy and snuffs at Chicago’s most brutal winters.

 Named after a computer graphic movement, Walter Moores’ ASCII Art (2007) is fine plicata.  But, the fact of the matter is that it isn’t just your average plicata.  The light purple coloring is heavy strictly on the hafts and style arms of the petals.  The strokes of purple are seemingly bleached away the further it encompasses the standards and falls.  It has bloom consistently since planting it in 2014 and has outstanding growth qualities.

A favorite iris amongst myself the Region 9 iris gardeners is Emma’s Laughter (2008) by our very own G. Steve Poole.  While Mr. Poole has registered and introduced irises since the early 1980s, it is only recently that his originations are taking notice.  I appreciate Emma’s Laughter for its exquisite ruffling, pale powder blue coloring and crisp texture.

Ernie Hoch is a new iris hybridizer based in Washington state.  He only has a handful of registered introductions, but that consistently impressed me is his 2014 introduction Chevron Three.  I purchased the iris as a new introduction in 2014 and it does not disappoint.  As a matter of fact, it has bloomed every year so far, since planting it in 2014.  Growth is just outstanding.  It produced rhizomes like no other.  I’ve literally had to divide it every year because there were just so many new rhizomes.  Highly recommended!

 From overseas, the wonderful French-import Pause Douceur (2014) from fourth generation hybridizer Richard Cayeux, is proving its worth here across the Atlantic and in Chicago.  A delectable confectionary, Pause Douceur has classic form, strong substance and superb growth habits.  Having purchased this iris directly from the Cayeux Iris firm in 2014, I have sadly yet to see this wondrous iris for sale by any U.S. iris growers.  I’m sure it will prove to be a popular iris variety in the years to come.

In the world of irises with ruffles galore, sometimes an iris with a more tailored appearance is a welcome reprise.  As a historic iris enthusiast and collector, some of my favorite irises are from the 1950s through 1970s.  These irises were ruffled just enough to be pleasing.  So, when I saw the Schreiner’s introduction Better Together (2014), I was very pleased so a highly contrasted iris in a tailored (to modern iris standards) bloom.  To me, the most eye-catching quality is the subtle brushing of buff-cream on the pale violet-blue standards.  It is very appealing, especially when offset by the much darker, wine-purple falls.  So far, it has been proving itself in Chicago and it has been one of my personal favorites the recent Schreiner introductions.