My second bloom season

                                                                                 by Joe Musacchia

    In late June to early July, it starts all over again. Bloom, that is. Ever since Louisiana Iris Gardens in Central New York started handling my introductions some six years ago, I have enjoyed a second bloom season. What a joy to see my new seedlings blooming again. The colors in the North are even more vivid than they are in Louisiana. This is when we make the final decisions about what to introduce next year. 

   This is 'Fouchon' a cross of Patrick O'Connor's 'Zydeco‘ X my 'Pointe Aux Chenes'. If you are wondering where the name comes from, it’s a port at the mouth of Bayou Lafourche, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico

 ' Fouchon ' 
' Zydeco '  X  ' Pointe Aux Chenes '.

     Then we have 'Gentle Memories'. This is Patrick O'Connor's  'Just Add Water’ X Harry Wolford's 'Edna Claunch'. This name came from the first time Mrs. M. J. Urist gazed upon a garden of Louisiana iris during her first trip to Louisiana. I made this cross to demonstrate how hybridizing was done. The cross took, and it turned out to be a good one.

' Gentle Memories '
' Just Add Water ' X ' Edna Claunch ''

  Here we have ‘Labrador Hollow'. This is my  'Ardoyne‘ X my 'Little General'. This is named for a natural area down the road from Louisiana Iris Gardens. It was found in seedlings brought up from Louisiana, and had its maiden bloom in the NY garden.

' Labrador Hollow '
' Ardoyne ' X ' Little General '

   Next is a fun one, 'Iko Iko'. This is a cross of Heather Pryor's 'Garnet Storm Dancer' X  Dormon Haymon's 'Grace Duhon'  This flower makes me want to party, so the name of the Mardi Gras song Iko Iko seemed appropriate

' Iko Iko ''
 Garnet Storm Dancer ' X  ' Grace Duhon ' 

   My last seedling, 'Cochon de Lait', is is one of many nice seedlings that came from a 'Pure Water' bee pod. This name translated literally from French is a suckling pig, but to a Cajun this means a party. More like a Cajun barbecue.

' Cochon de Lait '
' Pure Water Bee Pod '

Here are some more of the many Louisiana irises that bloomed in Central New York this year.

' Faubourg Marigny '
Patrick O'Connor

' Low and Inside '
Patrick O'Connor'

' Brown Recluse '
Walter Moores

' Mardi Gras Mambo '
Joe Musacchia 

' Mamacita ' 
Joe Musacchia

   And finally we have 'Rougaroux', which is Cajun French for werewolf, the Cajun swamp monster.

 ' Rougaroux '
Joe Musacchia

   As you can see Louisianas do well in Central New York. If you would like to extend your iris bloom season, by all means try Louisiana iris. All pictures here are courtesy of M.J. Urist of Louisiana Iris Gardens.  

The Joy of Maiden Blooms

                                                         By Joe Musacchia

     One of the most exciting times for a hybridizer is spring bloom in the seedling beds. You go through the winter with great anticipation of the upcoming spring to see what your work has produced. Over time you learn that only one in a hundred may be a really special iris, but as the stalks start forming, there is always hope that maybe this year there will be more good than bad.  Finally the morning comes when first color shows. You start watching the weather reports. Is there a late freeze? Any storms coming with hail? All is good, and they have started. What excitement! Then the evaluating starts: how many bud positions, how strong is the stalk, is the color fading, is it different than mama?  Maybe we will keep this one another year. But then, HEY! Look at you! Aren't you something. This is what it's all about: the emotional ups and  downs going through the seedlings one by one, looking for that winner. 

    These are pictures of my 2016 maiden blooms. Much evaluation remains to be done, but I thought you might like to see what I saw when they first opened. 

    'Hush Money' has produced some real nice kids:

12-46-1 stalk

12-46-1 'Ginny's Choice' X 'Hush Money'

12-46-2 'Ginny's Choice' X 'Hush Money'

'Hush Money' X  'Tchoupatulous'

I have been trying to make a cross with 'South Yara Darling' for several years, and finally it happened:

13-05-01 'South Yara Darling' X  'Pointe Aux Chenes'

-

 

 This is a seedling that was lost and found last year, and this is its first time blooming in my garden.

08-03-01  'Charlotte's Tutu' X 'Honey Galore'

 'In The Navy' X 'Our Sassy'

   Another difficult cross was with 'In The Navy'. Here is a first look at 'In The Navy' X 'Our Sassy'.












 

'Simply Irresistible' X 'Pink Poetry'
05-22

'Queen Jeanne' X ' Mardi Gras Mambo'
12-31

This one was a real surprise. At first glance I thought Court Jester. But that name is taken.















I hope you enjoyed seeing my maiden blooms. Hopefully in the future you will see one or two introduced with their new names. Here is wishing everyone a wonderful bloom season.

Understanding Louisiana Iris Part 5: Applying What We Learned to Modern Cultivars

                                                                    By Joseph Musacchia

    In previous blogs, we’ve examined traits of 4 of the 5 Louisiana iris species. Now we will look at how these attributes come into play in the modern cultivars. As you can see in the timeline below, collecting didn’t garner attention until around 1929 with Dr. John Small's discovery and promotion of Louisiana iris. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that growers began dabbling in hybridizing in earnest. Until that time, most Louisiana hybrids were either collected or grown from collected seedpods.

History Timeline

  'Black Widow', a 1953 introduction grown from collected seeds, won the Mary Swords DeBaillon Award in 1968. Although the parents are not known, from growing this cultivar for many years, I believe it to be mostly I. fulva with some I. giganticaerulea. When used in hybridizing, the seedlings come out looking like I. fulva.

'Black Widow'
,MacMillan, W. 1953

'Almost Forgotten'
Musacchia J. 2014

   One of the first objectives of the early hybridizers was to extend the growing range of hybrids further north. Most of the natural hybrids at that time were collected I. giganticaerulea crosses, and did not fare well the further north you went. Mr. Frank Chowning of Arkansas was one of the first hybridizers to work on cold hardiness. Most of his hybrids involved crosses with I. brevicaulis. The characteristics of I. brevicaulis can be found in many of his hybrids, (shorter stalks, later bloom, blue coloring).

'Pristine Beauty'
Chowing 1955

.

'Black Gamecock'
Chowning 1978

'Red Echo'
Rowlan, 1983

   A short time later I. fulva was included in the breeding program, adding the colors red and yellow to the palette, as well as height to the plants.

'Heavenly Glow'
Morgan 1988

   And finally, with the inclusion of I. nelsonii, taller stalks, deeper reds, and the over-lapping form appeared. Below we have 'Ann Chowning', considered to be one of the first real red Louisianas.

'Amm Chowning'
Chowning 1976

  One of my own introductions, 'Pointe Aux Chenes', demonstrates the range of traits discussed here. It is a mixture of the four species mentioned. It grows well everywhere I have sent it, and has many qualities we look for in modern Louisiana cultivars: a stronger stalk, a fuller form, and cold hardiness, to name a few.

'Pointe Aux Chenes'
Musacchia 2005

   In future blogs, I’ll be discussing more LA iris traits and how to recognize them in modern hybrids, with the goal of better understanding the Louisiana iris.

                                    Happy New Year

Understanding Louisiana Iris Part 4 I. nelsonii

Understanding Louisiana Iris Part 4 I. nelsonii

                                                                    By Joseph Musacchia

  I. nelsonii is the most recently named Louisiana iris species. It was named by Randolph in 1966 for Dr. Ira Nelson, Professor of Horticulture, Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  

  I. nelsonii was a sensation among Louisiana iris enthusiasts after it was "discovered" around 1938 by W. B. MacMillan. Restricted to a small area Southeast of Abbeville, Louisiana, they were commonly called the "Abbeville Reds," or occasionally "Super Fulvas."  Because of their size and color, they were used extensively in early hybridizing. 

I. nelsonii  'Young's Coulee'
Collected by Benny Trahan

 The comparison to I. fulva was due to color, and the superlative "super" reflected their size.  In their native swamp habitat, they grow considerably taller and have larger flowers than Iris fulva, although they resemble I. fulva with the red and yellow underlay. A few yellow forms were found in the relatively small area of its range.

‘Butead’s Gift’ collected by Benny.

A nice collected red.

  Unlike fulva,however, and much more like I. giganticaerulea, the Abbeville reds were found in shallow water in cypress swamps.  I. Fulva is more typically an inhabitant of wet sloughs and roadside ditches; wet areas to be sure, but not in the swamp per se.

Just southwest of Lafayette
Louisiana

The  I. nelsonii habitat is restricted to a few square miles of cypress/tupelo swamp.  Due to the environmental impacts on the area, it is seriously endangered.  Through the efforts of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, a population of nelsoniis have been moved to the Palmetto State Park a few miles away, where they can be protected. 

  Past research determined that I. nelsonii is a species of hybrid origin, with traces of fulva, giganticaerulea and brevicaulis in its background.   It is presumed that the I. nelsonii environment was relatively isolated and, after unknown years of inbreeding, the population stabilized to create the species. Additional research is ongoing and a fuller understanding of the origins of I. nelsonii may emerge.  Whatever I. nelsonii's origins, it was a fascinating find and was exceedingly important in developing the modern cultivars of Louisiana iris available today.

Closed loop styles

Darker center lines on the
standards and falls

 Some unique traits of I. nelsonii include the closed loop of the styles which almost encloses the anther; the darker center lines on the standards and falls; and the pendent form. It has little or no signal. It grows in standing water in the swamps and so needs lots of water in the garden. It can also handle more shade than most LA’s. 

"I. nelsonii"   Growing in 
“Young's Coulee”

   I. nelsonii  adds a lot to the gene pool for hybridizing. Characteristics it contributes include taller, stronger stalks, more color, ability to grow in shadier areas, better root structure to hold up taller stalks, and  other unique features. 

  In up coming articles I will show how the unique features of these four species of Louisiana iris make up the the modern cultivars. Hopefully, this will help you make better decisions on what will grow in different areas of your garden. Or, why some cultivars won't grow/bloom in your garden.   

Understanding Louisiana Iris Part 2: I fulva

By Joe Musacchia        

                   

           

Parula Warblers

     
I. fulva has a great history. It is the species most responsible for this group of irises being called “Louisiana” irises. Besides the fact that four of the five species grow and naturally hybridize in Louisiana, I. fulva was first called “Louisiana Flag” by John James Audubon in 1821. He used an illustration of I. fulva on which to put his painting of the Blue-Backed Yellow Warblers, and in his notes referred to the plant as a “Louisiana Flag.”  It became all the rage as the first red Iris. The warblers in the painting are now known as Parula Warblers.

Traits of I. fulva:

Red I. fulva showing multi flower positions
 and branching

I. Fulva has an extensive range from the Gulf Coast well up the Ohio Valley.  I. fulva is listed as 'endangered' in Kentucky and Tennessee, and is listed as 'threatened' in Illinois. I. fulva is not usually found in standing water, although it will tolerate shallow water for long periods. The preferred habitat is the damp or wet banks along ditches and swampy areas. The flower stalk is thin and straight, or slightly zig-zag, eighteen to thirty-two inches tall. They can be found with one to two branches with flower sockets that may be doubled. The main stalk generally has 4 bud positions. 

Fulva 'Lottie Butterscotch'
A yellow showing semi-umbrella form 

I fulva blooms later than I. giganticaerulea, in mid-season in Louisiana. It has an open semi-umbrella form with flowers two and a half to three and a half inches across. The common color is a rusty red, but darker red forms are not uncommon. Yellow is found now and then, but is not common.  The underlying color of I. fulva is yellow, so the flowers that lack red pigment are yellow.

The rhizome of I. fulva is long and slender, but not nearly as long as I. giganticaerulea. Consequently, it does not travel as much, and forms tighter clumps. Its root structure is also much shallower. When grown in loose soil, and when many flowers are open, the stalks tend to go over in strong wind. This is not a problem in its native growing areas with more clay in the soil. Like I. giganticaerulea, in the heat of the summer I. fulva tends to go dormant, but grows through the winter here in Louisiana. Unlike I. giganticaerulea, in colder regions such as Central New York, it

Benny Trahan holding a typical Fulva
showing the height and color. This was
taken on a tour in southern Louisiana at
a SLI convention  

blooms nicely, usually in late June and will grow all summer with adequate water there.                      

I. fulva genes add diversity to the Louisiana iris hybridizer’s mix; a lot more flowers, branching, less traveling with tighter clumps, and an extended range where Louisianas can and will grow and bloom. Most of all, we must not leave out color. Red and yellow are a welcome addition to the Louisiana iris color palette. 

Fulva 'Ouachita Half-Moon'
The smallest most unique collected fulva I have seen.
The flowers are 1 - 1 1\2 inches on a 12-15' stalk
with branching and 4-5 bud possessions

Coming Up:  The Traits of   I brevicaulis                                                                                                                                    

Understanding Louisiana Iris, Part 1: I. giganticaerulea

By Joe Musacchia

                        

The Louisiana Iris is one of the most misunderstood yet versatile irises. It’s been called a water iris, which is not technically correct. Some will grow in water, some will not. If the foliage is totally submerged, they will most likely die. Most will grow well in bog conditions, but some will not. They have been grown from Canada to Mexico and in many countries abroad. They grow from the marshes and swamps of Louisiana to the deserts of Arizona.  The secret to their successful cultivation is understanding the cultural differences of the five species that make up this diverse group of iris, and being able to recognize these traits. The species that make up Louisiana iris are I giganticaerulea, I fulva, I brevicaulis, I nelsonii, and I hexagona. Most of the new cultivars on the market today have all 5 species genes in them.  My purpose here is to help you to look at a cultivar and recognize these traits, so that you will have some idea how this cultivar will perform in your garden and what culture requirements are best.

I. giganticaerulea

Iris giganticaerulea (or giant blue) is the tallest of the Louisiana Irises. It can grow over 6 feet tall in the right conditions. It was discovered and named by Dr.John K. Small in 1925 while he traveled by train through South Louisiana.

Iris giganticaerulea growing on a bayou side

                     

In its native area I. giganticaerulea grows all winter. Hot, dry summers may bring on dormancy, with the plant all but disappearing until late August when the weather cools, and rains return. It is most commonly found in marshes, along bayou banks, in ditches, and the edges of swamps. It can be seen growing in as much as 2 feet of water. Even so, if the plant goes dormant during the summer, an early return of standing water can spell their demise if the growing tip is submerged for an extended time.

White  I. giganticaerulea
(  Barbara Elaine Taylor )

I. giganticaerulea blooms very early in the spring with rapid bloom stalk development. The flowers are very large, generally 4-6 inches across. The color is a blue-purple with an underlying white. A white form, lacking the blue pigment, has been collected in the wild and brought into cultivation. They require a lot of sun during their growing season (winter in Louisiana), but will tolerate some light or afternoon shade in the peak of summer in that region. They possess tall, straight stalks with little or no branching. Their rhizomes tend to be large, and will often grow a foot or more in a growing season, causing the plant to travel.                                                                                                                                                         

One year winter growth

I. giganticaerulea’s core traits have an implication on their performance in various geographic locations. Because they bloom early, hybrids that have strong giganticaerulea traits may not perform as well in areas outside their normal range. Most commonly, unless the rhizomes are directly exposed to extreme temperatures (as in the case of frost heave), the plant will survive and grow, but might never produce bloom. In New York State for example, where spring freezes are common, the tender, early bloom stalk will succumb to the assault. You will get a lot of lush green foliage all summer, but no flowers. Between the early bloom season, the tendency for the rhizomes to travel in beds, not to mention the need for division every two or three years, some find them a difficult plant to employ in a home landscape. These same traits make them ideal for landscaping around ponds, rain gardens and areas where too much water is a problem. Recognizing these traits in modern hybrids can help you select the best Louisiana cultivar for success.  

        Damaged rhizomes showing increase 

Benny Trahan shows off an  almost 7ft I. giganticaerulea

        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Coming Up:  The Traits of  I. Fulva