by Mike Unser
Dr. Rudolph E. Kleinsorge introduced his creations from 1929 to 1962. He was renowned for his brown and brown-blended irises, many of which were instrumental in the development and advancement of later varieties. In this photo essay, I share a selection of his brown varieties that I grow. They are listed alphabetically with year of introduction in parenthesis.
'Aztec Copper' (1939) displays colors of smoky violet blended with copper.
'Beechleaf' (1955) has a brown self pattern overlaid with violet.
'Black and Gold' (1943) with striking variegata pattern.
'Bryce Canyon' (1944) is named for displaying similar colors to the rock formations in the National Park in Utah.
'Buckskin' (1939) with namesake tan color.
'Calcutta' (1938) has delicate tones of cocoa-brown.
'Crown Prince' (1932) is a variegata with orange-yellow standards and dark, red-brown falls.
'El Paso' (1949) has a luminous, golden-brown color.
'Fortune' (1941) with lively old-gold coloration.
'Gypsy' (1944) with delicate coppery-gold standards and solid chestnut brown falls.
'Oregon Trail' (1943) was named to honor the 100th anniversary of the Oregon statehood.
'Pretty Quadroon' (1948) in coppery tan with brown beards.
'Thotmes III' (1950) was named for a pharaoh who sent an expedition to gather plants, which included irises.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Kleinsorge, I created a video presentation about his life and legacy in irises.
