IRISES: The Bulletin of the AIS - Spring 2018 Edition

By Susanne Holland Spicker

The American Iris Society Blog, "World of Irises," extends a hearty welcome to all iris lovers and is happy to give an introduction to the Spring Edition of IRISES: The Bulletin of the American Iris Society. Whether this is your first time viewing, or you're a member of The American Iris Society, we hope you enjoy the new Spring 2018 issue.

Note: to access this area of the website you must have a current AIS Emembership. AIS Emembership is separate from the normal AIS membership. Please see the Electronic Membership Information area of the AIS website for more details.

The Spring issue of the AIS Bulletin is already available for online viewing and accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. The print copy is in the hands of U.S. Post Office. 

Featured on the cover is 'SUMMER HONEY' (Betty Wilkerson 2013 TB-Re), photo by Carole Buchheim.

This edition offers a wealth of information, good articles, and lots of beautiful pictures.

Page 11 gives us important information concerning Novelty, Spuria and HIPS (Historic Iris Preservation Society).

On page 12, Mike Lockatell gives us a nice article on the late Betty Wilkerson (1941-2017). "A Bridge In Time" highlights the cool season rebloom hybridizer with lots of beautiful pictures of her reblooming cool season irises. It's a wonderful insight to this great lady and her lovely irises.

On page 16 we have the news of our Youth achievers. The winner of the Clarke Cosgrove Memorial Award for Youth Achievement, Hope Winzer - Region 18, is announced. Congratulations!

On page 24, Jim Morris takes a look ahead to 2020, the 100th anniversary of the American Iris Society in New York City.  Jim also looks back with a comprehensive capsule of the Tall Bearded Iris history.  You won't want to miss this fascinating article!

On page 30, Terry Aitkin gives us an excellent article in "The Continued Search for the Red Iris." Compelling information from Terry--thank you!

And on page 44, "Ask the Vets" gives us some very informative and interesting answers to questions pertaining to all irises.  Excellent!

Not a member of the AIS (American Iris Society)?  Please see our website for information about becoming one:  http://irises.org/

There is much more to view and read in the Spring 2018 Edition of 'Irises,' either in digital or print formats. If you're an AIS member, you will be receiving your print edition soon. If you're an e-member, that version is already available online.

We wish you a great spring bloom season, 

and happy gardening!

Louisiana Irises: The Best of the Reds Part 2

By Ron Killingsworth

On Monday, I we saw some of the best red Louisiana irises, and I promised you more.  Here are the rest of the best.

'Little Miss Sims' by Frank Chowning 1978

'Little Miss Sims' is registered as "raspberry purple" but looks red in most pictures.  It won a HM in '83.  It is a pretty iris with a nice name.

'Mayan Chief' by Marvin Granger 1965

'Mayan Chief' is registered as "brick red with a light brown overlay".  The huge signals on this iris really make it stand out in the garden.

'Melon Time' by R. Morgan 1983

'Melon Time' is registered as "full red" and is among the almost really reds in my opinion.

'Mighty Rich' by Charles Arny 1982

'Mighty Rich' can be seen in the garden from a hundred feet away.  The huge bright yellow signals really make it stand out.  It is registered as "velvety ruby red" and won a HM in '84.

'Mulberry Mousse' by Sidney Conger 1957

'Mulberry Mousse' is registered as "bright mulberry" and is one of my favorite "oldies but goodies".  A great garden iris and close to being red.

'My Friend Dick' by Richard Butler 1998

'My Friend Dick' is registered as "current red" and has beautiful signals.  It won a HM in '03, an AM in '05 and the MSDM in 2007.

'New Comer' by G. Holleyman 1960

'New Comer' is registered as "deep purplish-red self with green throat".  It certainly has a green throat and the bold signals catch your eye from long distances.  It won a HM in '69.

'Plum Good' by I. Nelson 2001

'Plum Good' was not registered until 2001 but was growing in many gardens for many years before finally being registered.  I love the name!  It is registered as "plum red".

'Professor Neil' by Joe Mertzweiller 1990

'Professor Neil' is one of several tetraploid Louisiana irises hybridized by Joe Mertzweiller and named for his professor friends.  It is registered as "dark red" and won a HM in '95, a AM in '97 and the MSDM in 1999.

'Red Velvet Elvis' by Kevin Vaughn 1996

'Red Velvet Elvis' is registered as "stands velvety dark red" and is really about as red as I have seen in any iris.  It won a HM in 2000, an AM in 2002 and the MSDM in 2005.

'Rhett' by Mary Dunn 1982

'Rhett' is registered as "mahogany red" and is another very pretty red.  To grow this one, you must have Mary Dunn's other introduction,  'Scarlett' (Dunn, M 1998) another nice red.  We would not want  to separate the famous "Gone with the Wind" couple!

'Rich Jewel' by R. Morgan 1994

'Rich Jewel' is registered as "dark violet' but looks more red to me.  It won a HM in '99 and an AM in '02.

'Rose Cartwheel' by Marvin Granger 1980

 'Rose Cartwheel' is one of Marvin's cartwheel forms and is one of my favorite irises.  Although not red, it is a very pretty "rose" color.  It won a HM in '83.

'Wild Cajun' by Henry Rowlan 1989

'Wild Cajun' is registered as "currant red" and has a great Louisiana name.  It won a HM in '93.

'Jazz Hot' by Heather Pryor 1994

'Jazz Hot' is registered as "red edged white" and is an eye catcher with the bright yellow steeple signals on all petals.  It won a HM in 2000 and a AM in 2004.  A beautiful iris and about as red as red can be in today's irises.

Although hybridizers are still working to find the perfect red iris, these all look great in the garden and look red to the eye.  Do you grow any red Louisiana irises? Which of these is your favorite? 

Lousiana Irises: The Best of the Reds Part 1

Louisiana Irises:  The Best of the Reds

by Ron Killingsworth

The search for a true red iris has been going on for many years.  There are a lot of irises out that include the word "red" as part of the name or of the description, but are they really red?

Various members of the Society for Louisiana Irises have written articles about the search for a true red iris.  Some were too technical for me to completely understand but I was able to learn enough to know that a true red iris is yet to be created.  There are many Louisiana irises that come very close to being red and there are others that appear to be various shades of red.  I thought I would share some of these "red" irises with you.

'Ann Chowning' by Frank Chowning 1976

'Ann Chowning' is registered as "currant red self" and is actually a little "redder" than represented by this picture.  It won the  Mary Swords DeBallion Medal (MSDM) in 1986.

'Bold Copy' by Henry Rowlan 1983

'Bold Copy' is registered as having "red" stands and falls.  It is probably a little more on the red side than this digital picture reflects.  It won a Honorable Mention (HM) in 1987.

'Captain Bill' by Sidney Conger 1956

'Captain Bill' is registered as having  "Corinthian red splashed and reticulated deeper" standards and "mauve rose veined darker falls".  It won a HM in 1961.

'Cherry Cup' by Richard Morgan 1988

'Cherry Cup' is registered as "full red" with wire rim on falls.  It is actually redder than shown in this picture.  It won a HM in '93 and an Award of Merit (AM) in '96.

'Choctaw Ridge' by Joe Musacchia 2004

'Choctaw Ridge' is registered as "stands cranberry red" and is indeed a very pretty shade of red.  There are many shades of red but where is the 'cherry red" we all wish to produce?  It won a HM in 2010.

'Chuck Begnaud' by Dorman Haymon 1999

'Chuck Begnaud' is registered as "rich lavender' and is probably more lavender than red but it is a beautiful iris with a while halo around the edges of the petals and has serrated edges.  A great garden iris!

'Coorabell' by R. Raabe 1988

'Coorabell' is registered as "imperial purple falls" and is much darker in color than reflected by this digital photograph.  It is one of the few tetraploid Louisiana irises and is a great garden iris with huge flowers.

'Creole Flame' by C. Wyatt 1973

'Creole Flame' is registered as "dark cardinal red" and I have seen pictures that reflect a darker red than this picture.  It certainly appears red in the garden.  It won a HM in 1975.

'Dot Marie' by E. Matheny III 2000

'Dot Marie' really darker than this picture and is registered as "velvety dark purple" but appears more reddish purple in the garden.  A beautiful iris that grows well for us.

'Empress Josephine' by Dorman Haymon 1989

'Empress Josephine' is registered as "ruffled velvety dark red violet" so although it may not be actually red, at least red is used as part of the description!  It is certainly a beautiful iris with large golden spearhead signals.  It also is a good bit darker and "redder" than shown in this picture.  Am I the only one who has trouble with color shifts in digital photography?

'Far and Away' by Mary Dunn 1991

'Far and Away' is one of many wonderful irises hybridized by Mary Dunn of CA.  This one is registered as "ruffled deep red purple".  Notice the great yellowish signals on all the petals.  It won a HM in '96.

'Frank Chowning' by Henry Rowlan 1984

'Frank Chowning'  is registered as "currant red" and again is darker red than reflected in this picture.  It won a HM in '89, a AM in '91, and the MSDM in '93 (highest award within Louisiana irises).

'Fringed Gold' by D. L. Shepard 1992

'Fringed Gold' is without a doubt one of my favorite Louisiana irises.  Although registered in 1992, it is right up there with modern hybrids when comparing recent developments with Louisiana irises.  It is registered as "brick red" and has a wonderful gold edging on all the petals, more pronounced on the falls.  A great garden iris and a sure show winner!

'Jean Bush' by Dorman Haymon 1994

'Jean Bush' is registered as red and has a yellow halo around the petals.  It is more of the open form than most recent hybrids.  It has great substance and is a good garden iris.

'Joie De Vivre' by Heather Pryor 1995

'Joie De Vivre' is registered as "ruffled deep rose" and won a HM in 2000.  Heather Pryor, of Australia, has hybridzed many beautiful irises and this is but one of her beauties.

I hope you have enjoyed viewing a few of the Louisiana irises that are (or almost) red.  Learn more about the many other colors of Louisiana irises at the Society for Louisiana Irises and learn more about the many different species of irises at The American Iris Society.  Stay tuned for Part Two of the best of the reds later in the week.  Now get out there and plant some irises!

Favorite REDS for the holidays!

By Renee Fraser

Red is my favorite garden color, and irises are my favorite flowers.  I am smitten with the combination red, green and white, and some day I imagine my entire garden will be these colors.  So I am always on the lookout for new attempts to make red irises.

The pigments that give irises their colors are purple and yellow-gold, so creating red irises poses a challenge.  The New York Times featured this problem in an article (here) on the work being done by hybridizers like the late Richard Ernst in conjunction with Oregon State University to create red irises.

Brick reds, pinkish reds and burgundy/maroons have been mastered by iris hybridizers, even if true scarlet-reds are still down the road.

This photograph, posted last year by Rita on Gardenweb, caused me to go over my self-imposed budget on a single iris rhizome.  Rita gardens on Long Island, focusing on daylilies, roses, and irises.

'Rio Rojo' Photo by Rita 

Red irises are fantastic garden plants- they coordinate perfectly with the red colors of foliage plants.  Brenda Fox also gardens in New York.  She planted an entire bed in reds.  Here is 'Samurai Warrior' in her garden with red barberry.

'Samurai Warrior' Photo by Brenda Fox

Susanne Spicker also gardens with coordinating colors.  Here is one of her favorite reds:

'Play With Fire' Susanne Spicker

Red irises can stand by themselves in a landscape.  This charming garden was captured by Joel Schaber while he was vacationing in Oregon.

  NOID Photo by Joel Schaber

Red amoenas!   Amoenas are my favorite irises, and red is my favorite flower color.  'Ecstatic Echo' did not grow well for me, but it is still my very favorite iris.  The standards are a bit lavendar, and the falls a bit rusty, but it's getting close to a red amoena.

'Ecstatic Echo'

'Ecstatic Echo'

I often see 'Lady Friend' in lists of red irises.  What do you think, red, or dark pink?

'Lady Friend' with 'Frequent Flyer'

Here's 'Dynamite', which was named as a favorite red by numerous people on the Facebook forum Iris Lovers.

'Dynamite' Photo by Susanne Spicker

'Rip City' is an iris I grow in my garden for its landscape value.  It has a long bloom period and a rusty color that goes well with Japanese Blood Grass.

'Rip City'

Other tall bearded favorites listed by iris fans included 'Lest We Forget', a rebloomer, 'Cardinal Rule', 'House Afire', 'Red Skies', 'Smoky Shadows', 'Nebraska Big Red', 'Battle Royale', 'Classic Bordeaux', 'Rogue', and 'Trial By Fire'.


Favorite median irises included the Standard Dwarf Bearded iris 'Exotic Eyes'.

'Exotic Eyes' Joel Schaber

'Redrock Princess' just came in as the first runner up for the Williamson-White Medal for MTB irises.  It is among the favorites of Joel Schaber in his Idaho garden.

'Redrock Princess' Photo by Joel Schaber

Sandra Eggertson, who owns Merlebleu, an iris display garden in Canada, chose Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Red Zinger' as one of her favorites.

'Red Zinger' Photo by Sandra Eggertson

LAs have slightly different chemistry than the bearded irises, so there are some very RED Louisiana irises.  Look at the blazing red color of my favorite, 'Red Echo.'

'Red Echo' Photo by Margie Valenzuela

Here is a lovely shot of of a species iris.

Iris nelsonii

Iris fulva can look very red indeed., or it can appear to be more red-orange.

Iris fulva  Photo by Rodney Barton

Iris fulva  Photo by Rodney Barton

Some day hybridizers will create true red irises, but along the way, they have created many spectacular flowers that are excellent garden plants.

Do you grow red irises in your garden?  I am waiting for the perfect red amoena, and Lucy Burton, an avocational hybridizer, tells me she is working on it in Standard Dwarf Bearded irises.  What kind of a red iris would you like to see in the future?

How Do You See It?

By Griff Crump

Over the years, in observing seedlings, I gradually began to suspect that color in irises, and, particularly, the intensity of color, is not due entirely to pigment, but is also affected by the texture of the flower’s petals.  If I were trained in the physical sciences, which I am not, I might have come to such a conclusion sooner.  A recent article in the Smithsonian magazine, entitled “Why Are Some Feathers Blue?” tends to confirm my suspicion:

“For decades, scientists have known how birds with yellow or red feathers usually get their color: It comes from pigments in foods the birds eat. Flamingoes, for instance, extract pink pigments from algae and crustaceans they filter out of the water. The challenge has been to figure out exactly how blue birds get their color. It can’t be their diet: blue pigments, like those in blueberries, are destroyed when birds digest them. . .

Getty Images / Minden Pictures RM 

“Richard Prum, an ornithologist at Yale, discovered that birds make blue feathers in a different way. . .

“Prum discovered that as a blue feather grows, something amazing happens. Inside each cell, stringy keratin molecules separate from water, like oil from vinegar. When the cell dies, the water dries away and is replaced by air, leaving a structure of keratin protein interspersed with air pockets, like a sponge or a box of spaghetti. When white light strikes a blue feather, the keratin pattern causes red and yellow wavelengths to cancel each other out, while blue wavelengths of light reinforce and amplify one another and reflect back to the beholder’s eye. The result: blue, an example of what scientists call a structural color (as opposed to a pigmented color) because it’s generated by light interacting with a feather’s 3-D arrangement. And different shapes and sizes of these air pockets and keratin make different shades of blue.”

Blue, in irises, is produced by the presence of anthocyanin, a pigment, not air pockets.  But the article shows that the interplay of light and structure affects the eye’s perception of color.  It’s been my thinking that the way we perceive certain aspects of the coloration of irises, such as shading and intensity, is also affected by that interplay.

In the case of the seedlings that I have observed over the years, it happens that, in most cases, the color is red.  The first seedling that caught my interest in this regard was 985R4, a bee cross on 953P (Holy Night X 93RR2 (Margarita x Momauguin)).

 985R4

This is a scarlet flower with a pronounced sheen.  I believe that the sheen is caused by how the structure of the flower’s petals reflects light to our eyes.

Whatever is causing that effect, it was transmitted to 985R4's progeny, 062X27 (985R4 X Cherry Glen), but to a lesser degree.  And, in 062X27, we also see what we call “diamond dust” pr sparkles on the petals.

062X27

‘Prince Igor’, whose too-lengthy-for-here pedigree is unrelated to 985R4 (as far as we know  – but what may 985R4's bee know?), also has a sheen.

'Prince Igor' Crump, 2009.

Switching, now, to blues and blue/blacks, I find the sheen in 072O1 (Stealth Fighter X Ranks of Blue)

072O1

and, to a lesser extent, in its sibling 072O22, which also displays “diamond dust”.

 072022

Another 'Stealth Fighter' derivative, 09S12 (Stealth Fighter X Holy Cow), shows pronounced sheen, top and bottom, in a very ruffled flower.

09S12

If the structure of the petals can “sharpen” colors, it can also “soften” them, I believe.  Here, for example, is ‘That Certain Something’, which appears to have a suede-like texture.

'That Certain Something'  Crump, 2008

As with 985R4 and 'Stealth Fighter', above, ‘That Certain Something’ also imparts its softer tone to its progeny, as in the case of seedling 042F3.

 042F3

So something may be going on in the way that we perceive color in irises.  I suspect something similar is at work with irises which appear to change color during the day.  If I’m correct, a reader with a greater degree of scientific knowledge may say, “Well, anybody who didn’t flunk physics should know that!”  But I’m willing to suffer the slings and arrows in order to broach the discussion, because, when we know how something works, we can begin to manipulate it.


Does anyone else see it this way?