100 Years Bold: Our Centennial of Irises & People

by Heather Haley

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the American Iris Society (AIS), members received five fantastic supplements to copies of the quarterly bulletin IRISES. Their publication was a labor of love for the managing editor James (Jim) W. Morris and assistant editor Janis Shackleford. Three years of research, writing, and editing produced over 470 pages to delight novice and veteran iris enthusiasts alike.

These supplements are available for purchase through the AIS Storefront, and have recently been published in a single bound volume titled 100 Years Bold! This work contains many wonderful stories and remembrances of the irises and people that will delight any iris enthusiast. The following outlines the contents of each supplement and the addendum that comprise the bound volume.

Supplement One: The Early Years

• Forward: Looking Forward by Jody Nolin, AIS President
• Managing Editor's Introduction by Jim Morris
• Founder's Wall (partial list only)
• Prologue to 1920 by Bob Pries
• A New York Story by Anner Whitehead
• Dr. John Caspar Wister by Andy Gwiazda, La Salle University
• The American Iris Society Seal by Anner Whitehead
• The Tall Bearded Iris: A Manufactured Marvel by Phil Edinger
• The Schreiner Iris Garden Story by Liz (Schreiner) Schmidt, Steve & Ben Schreiner
• Isabella Preston---The Grand Lady of Canadian Horticulture by Edwinna von Baeyer
• The Sass Family by Gary White
• American Iris Society Humor compiled by Jim Morris
• Long's Gardens, Boulder, Colorado by Everett Long, Catherine Long Gates & Dennis Gates
• Connecticut Iris Society & Elizabeth Park Conservancy by Ruth Bennett

  

Supplement Two: The Early Years Continued Through Golden Jubilee 1970

• Historic Iris Images
• Founder's Wall (partial list only)
• Managing Editor's Preface by Jim Morris
• Errata
• Starting a Backyard Business by Miriam (Cooley) Ernst, Judy Nunn, and Georgie Johnson
• Eden at the End of the Oregon Trail Introduction from the Cooley's 1993 Catalog
• The Origins of the American Iris Society Checklists by Anner Whitehead
• St. Louis and Iris History by Jim Morris
• The Nashville, Tennessee Story: Remembering "Iris City" by Robert Strohman
• Miss Grace Sturtevant of Wellesley Farms by Corinne Danforth
• William Mohr and Sydney Mitchell by Anne Lowe
• Fun Fact: USPS Hybridizers by Jim Morris
• The Sex Doctor Alfred C. Kinsey, Indiana University compiled by Jim Morris
• Rudolph E. Kleinsorge: A New Color Class---Brown by Anne Lowe
• Phillip A. Loomis: "Irises don't come in that color..." by Anne Lowe
• Evaluating A Little Iris History by John T. Black
• The Japanese Iris by Currier McEwen, Eleanor Westmeyer, W. E. Ouweneel, and Clarence Mahan
• Japanese Iris Come to America by Kathleeen Sonntag
• The Median Iris Movement by Geddes Douglas
• Greig Lapham: Nearly All Reds Traced to His Irises by Anne Lowe
• Melba Bills Hamblen by Perry Dyer
• Bee Warburton---Her Life in the World of Irises by Lynn Markham
• AIS Humor compiled by Jim Morris
• Spotlights 
• Mrs. Anson Stiles Blake by Jody Nolin, Ohio
• Mrs. Lewis Jones (Louise) Blake by William J. McKee
• U.S. Grant by Jody Nolan, Ohio
• Dr. Samuel Stillman Berry by Mary Ann Campbell, Missouri
• Mrs. Horatio Gates Lloyd by Jody Nolin, Ohio
• Benjamin Yoe Morrison by Jim Morris, Missouri
• Jesse Ely Wills by Jim Morris, Missouri
• Professor Manton Copeland
• William Jon Krasting art compiled by Jim Morris, Missouri
• George C. Bush as told by Dennis Hager

Supplement Three: The Middle Years Through To The Millennium 2000

• Managing Editor's Preface by Jim Morris
• Errata & Unique Gardening Practice
• AIS Regions Through the Decades by Jody Nolin
• Reflections of Region 19 and Garden State Iris Society by Stephen Szmuriga
• David F. Hall - The Flamingo Pinks by Anne Lowe
• Farr's Catalogue of Hardy Plant Specialties
• My Life With Irises by Philip Edinger
• Hybridizer Joe Ghio: Tuscan/Genovese Hybrid by Joe Ghio
• Region 14's Heritage, Part One by Roy Oliphant
• My Life in the Iris World by Keith Keppel
• Siberians---Milestones and Stepping Stones by Jan Sacks
• Evolution of the Morgan-Wood Medal
• History of the Washington Iris Club of Region 18 by Cindy Rust
• Historic Pictures of Iris People Part One
• AIS Region 4 Celebrated 60 Years in 2019 by Douglas H. Chyz
• Bet You Didn't Know... John C. Wister Award by Jim Morris
• Sutton's Iris Gardens by Mike Sutton
• Fredericksburg Area Iris Society by Lois Rose
• Wichita Area Iris Club - 71 Years of Beauty & Friendship by Patricia Ardissone
• History of the Aril Society International by Tom Waters
• Central Virginia Iris Society --- A Brief History by Kathy Huneycutt and Lois Rose
• AIS Youth Program 
• Founding of Francis Scott Key Iris Society from Society Records
• Dykes Medal Winners Part One
• AIS Humor compiled by Jim Morris
• Historic Pictures of Iris People Part Two
• Dykes Medal Winners Part Two
• Spotlights 
• Tell Huhlestein by Jim Morris
• F. Cleveland Morgan by Judy Hollingworth

Supplement Four: The Millennium Through to 2020

• Managing Editor's Preface by Jim Morris
• Rare Edition --- A Pleasant Surprise by Joe Gatty
• Comanche Acres: The Gilbert Wild's Buyout by Jim Hedgecock
• Show Me Iris Society by Eric Tankesley-Clarke
• History of Region 14, Part Two by Bryce Williamson and Jean Richter
• Central Arkansas Iris Society by Robert Treadway
• AIS History of the Last Twenty-five Years compiled by Janis Shackelford
• Southern Illinois Iris Society by Marylyn J. Redenbo
• White Country Iris Society History In the Natural State by Alice Jewell
• American Iris Society 2020 Centennial Iris Winners by Jim Morris
• Tall Bearded Iris Society History by Judy Keisling
• Tall Bearded Iris Society Hall of Fame by Jerry Preston James
• The Class The Stars Fell On by Jim Morris
• The Spuria Iris Society by Darol Jurn
• The Historic Iris Preservation Society (HIPS) by Cathy Egerer
• Reflections from the Prairie State Region 9, Illinois, "The Illini" compiled by Debra & Dave Miller
• AIS Humor compiled by Jim Morris
• Society for Pacific Coast Native Irises by Ken Walker
• British Columbia Iris Society: A Brief History by Ted Baker
• Clara B. Rees Iris Society by Nancy Mirabella
• The Early History of SIGNA by Will Plotner
• 2020 Ackerman Essay Winner by Darby Redman
• Historic Images of Iris People
• Random Images
• AIS Benchmarks of an Era 1995-2020 compiled by Jim Morris and Janis Shackelford
• Presidents of the American Iris Society
• Gold Medal Recipients
• Hybridizer's Medal Recipients
• Warburton Medal Winners
• AIS Conventions and Themes
• AIS Convention Themes and Logo Artwork
• Distinguished Service Medal Recipients

Supplemental Addendum (5): The Rest of the Story . . . Continues On

• Managing Editor's Preface by Jim Morris
• Errata
• Poetry Ban by Ann Branch Dasch
• Prelude to New York 2020: Looking back at Tall Bearded Iris History by Jim Morris
• Mr. Hybridizer Ben Hager (1915-1999) by Keith Keppel, Phil Edinger, and Jim Morris
• Shoulders by Ben R. Hager as related by Jim Morris
• Minute Man National Park, Concord, MA by Barbara Schmieder
• Region 6 Iris History by Jean Kaufmann
• AIS Round Robin Program by Jim Morris
• Region 13 Affiliate History by various authors
• Personalities in Iris Heaven, Region 13 by Jim Morris
• East Tennessee Iris Society and Greeneville Iris Society, Region 7 by Kim Bowman
• Mid-America Iris Garden by Paul Black
• Texoma Rainbow Iris Society - A Brief History by Martha McDowell
• Heart of Iowa Iris Growers by Pam Messer
• Iris Chronicles from AIS Bulletins
• The Santa Fe Iris Society by Barbara Mann
• Ontario Iris Society by Terry Laurin and Kate Brewitt
• History of Region 18 by Riley Probst and Dave Niswonger
• Enchanted Vista Iris Society by Patricia Randall
• South East Missouri (SEMO) Iris Society by Charles Pickett
• Missouri's Mr. Hybridizer Dave Niswonger by Charles Pickett and Nyla Hughes
• Fire Fighter's Memorial Gardens by Dennis Luebkin
• Society for Louisiana Irises by Patrick O'Connor
• History of the Sun Country Iris Society by Jenine Cook
• A Look Back in Time: WWII Effect on AIS by Fred Cassebeer
• Mesilla Valley Iris Society by Ann Colwell, Fern Gold, and Scarlett Ayres
• Red Iris by Kelly D. Norris
• World of Irises, the Blog of The American Iris Society by Andi Rivarola
• Albuquerque Aril and Iris Society History by Rae Phillips and Helen Crotty
• The Greater Kansas City Iris Society by Debbie Hughes
• AIS Humor compiled by Jim Morris
• Delaware Valley Iris Society: A Look Back by Ron Thoman
• Sharlot Hall Museum Historic Iris Gardens by Kathleen Shaffer and Dennis Luebkin
• The iGenerations and AIS by Jim Morris
• A Bit of History From the Tulsa Area Iris Society by Jerry James
• Region 15, Southern California and Arizona by Jim Morris and Phil Edinger
• North Plains Iris Society Golden Anniversary (2019) by Dawn Boyer
• Scent in Irises by Jim Morris
• The Next 100 Years of Irises by Kelly D. Norris
• Historic Images of Iris People
• Random Images
• AIS Benchmarks of an Era 1995-2020 compiled by Jim Morris and Janis Shackelford
• Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing
• Editors of the American Iris Society Bulletin IRISES
• Foster Memorial Plaque awarded to AIS members by the British Iris Society for the advancement of the genus Iris

If you are new to AIS, or irises in general, don't miss this exciting opportunity to read and celebrate the people and plants that have brought us together.

The Iris X-Files

by Bob Pries

Botanical names for hybrid irises are written Iris x species. They have more in common with the TV program X-Files than just the X. The television series dealt with FBI agent Molder investigating files that the department did not wish to touch, because they contained paranormal phenomena that could destroy the reputations of serious investigators. The botanical “X-files” have the same danger. In this regard it probably puts my credibility at risk to discuss my collection of “X-files,” but here goes.

The Kew Checklist of Botanical Names lists almost 200 hybrid binomials. For your consideration I have compiled a list, here, in the Iris Encyclopedia under “Botanical Nomenclature for Hybrids.” On inspection there are several that are relegated to just a few synonyms and these have interesting back stories.

Iris x violipurpurea and Iris x vinicolor

The first group I will mention brought about the fall of a giant in botany at the time. John Kunkel Small was a celebrated botanist. He had completed a flora of the Eastern United States and easily knew more about its flora than anyone else. The herculean task he accomplished cannot be denied. But he took a fateful train ride into the swamps of Louisiana. Looking out the window he saw scores of irises like he had never seen. He came back and collected a truckload that was sent back to the New York Botanical Garden to be grown and studied. He and his colleague Edward Johnston Alexander ultimately published a paper proclaiming about 110 species of irises in the Southern United States.

Iris brevicaulis, Iris giganticaerulea, and Iris fulva, the three parental species of Iris x volipurpurea

The botanical world was shocked! It was soon demonstrated by Percy Viosca that most of these irises were not new species but hybrids of Iris fulva, Iris giganticaerulea, and Iris brevicaulis.  The Kew lists reflects this by changing 61 of these names to hybrid names rather than accepting them, except as synonyms of one master name for this parentage of three parent species (Iris x violipurpurea). One other hybrid name was accepted as the name for just Iris fulva and giganticaerulea crosses (Iris x vinicolor).  So all of those names that Small thought were different enough to be separate species, were essentially lost. But this diversity could still be recognized as cultivar names.

Iris x volipurpurea "cultivars" 'Chrysophoenicia' and 'Chrysaeola' are similar to about 60 others that were originally considered species but were later classified as hybrids

Horticulturalists often complain about how botanical names continually change. This is because they denote evolutionary relationships. As the understanding of these relationships changes, so do the names. Horticultural ‘cultivar’ names are meant only to distinguish the types of plants and are usually unchanging. So these rejected species of Small became cultivars such as ‘Aurilinea’, ‘Chrysophoenicia’ and ‘Rosipurpurea’ etc. and were published as such in the 1939 American Iris Society Alphabetical Iris Check List. (The rule that cultivars could not have Latin names came later.) These cultivar names replace the botanical hybrid names.

Of course, when the world reacts it often overreacts. Viosca admitted that he was only referring to the irises that Small named in Louisiana. But many botanists immediately assumed that the irises that Small described from Florida were also hybrids. Dr. Phil Ogilvie championed more investigation into these irises and pointed out that each seemed to be relegated to its own river system in Florida. Henderson recognized Iris savannarum from Florida in The Flora of North American and relegated those other species as synonyms of savannarum. Today some botanists take an extreme view that all these irises are examples of the same species using the name Iris hexagona. So the pendulum swings.

Even botanists using some modern techniques claim Iris nelsoni as nothing but a hybrid Iris x nelsoni. But this stance puts a very rare group of irises from around the Abbeville, Louisiana area at greater risk because how much support can you gather to protect a hybrid versus a species? No one contests that in the past it developed as a hybrid from Iris fulva; but its ecological requirements today are very different, and it certainly plays a different role in the ecosystem. Other species have been shown to have been developed through hybridization, such as Iris versicolor from Iris setosa and Iris virginica.

Iris pallida and Iris variegata the two species that were parents of diploid tall-bearded "species"

Iris x amoena and Iris x squalens two irises resulting from the above cross

Another big group of botanical hybrid names (55) are those relegated to synonymy with Iris x germanica. Sir Michael Foster convincingly showed that a number of diploid tall bearded iris that had previously been called species probably formed as the result of the two diploid species Iris pallida and Iris variegata. The Kew Checklist gives Iris x germanica as the hybrid name for this parentage. When one sees Iris x squalens, Iris x amoena, Iris x neglecta, etc. This seems perfectly reasonable. But there are two other groups that do not fit well in this hypothesis.

“Grandma's Old Blue Iris” a sterile triploid

First is the iris that is widely grown and called Iris germanica. Unfortunately it has no other name to distinguish it except “Grandmas Old Blue Iris” It is often referred to as triploid, and seems totally sterile. Unlike the other “Germanicas” it is an intermediate iris. It is said to have 44 chromosomes. Pallida and Variegata have 24 chromosomes. Many believe it is the product of a 40-chromosome parent (20 chromosome gamete) and a 24-chromosome parent with an unreduced gamete. Iris albicans and Iris florentina share a similar type of background, and are sterile; but presumably come each from a different 40-chromosome parent.

The other group being referred to Iris x germanica are presumably 48-chromosome tall bearded irises. Murray was troubled by the fact that modern tall bearded irises were tetraploid while the earlier TBs were diploid so he proposed a new name Iris x altobarbata, which in Latin means tall-bearded. The Kew Checklist does not accept this name probably on a procedural technicality. Another attempt to name the tetraploid “germanicas” was made by Henderson with his Iris x conglomerata (a name not mentioned in the Kew list. Henderson’s argument was that many species have gone into the TBs including Iris pumila, hence the conglomerate. This name did not follow all the rules of publication.

'Amas', a tetraploid I. germanica

Despite two attempts, no satisfactory name has emerged for this group.  I have yet to see strong evidence that the tetraploids emerged from the combination of Iris pallida and Iris variegata which is how I. x germanica is being defined. There have been several “species” that have been defined as I. germanica. One of the key iris to be added to the pallida/variegata mix that precipitated tetraploid offspring was ‘Amas’ which is probably best viewed as a cultivar. Itself of hybrid origin it did not produce pods but its pollen changed the face of tall-bearded irises by fathering the new tetraploid I. germanica cultivars.

There are a number of irises that were essentially cultivars, and expressed here as botanical hybrids but could be candidates for the name of the 48-chromosome species that are relegated to Iris x germanica if one does not buy into the parentage as resulting from the two diploids  I. pallida and I. variegata.

Like the X-files of TV, the data can be debated. I have just pointed out two botanical hybrid names (Iris x germanica and Iris x violipurpurea) that account for half of the list of 200. There are still many x-names that function admirably to identify groups that originate from a given set of species. And there are also many more that have not been included in the list. But perusing what is listed may widen ones knowledge of various lineages. As agent Molder would say “The truth is out there.” Take a look at the X-Files, here.

The Long History of Irises in France

By Sylvain Ruaud

Whether we like it or not, it was in France that the horticultural culture of irises began. Men have always been drawn to irises. They were amazed by the richness of this flower and the variety of their colors. It is not for nothing that they gave it the nickname "plant of the rainbow", but their wonder increased when they realized that they could indefinitely vary colors, sizes, and shapes, just by choosing the parents at the time of crossing.

This discovery was a real revolution. It is the work of a French aristocrat, Marie Guillaume de Bure. Although apparently without having a professional life, this descendant of an illustrious publishing family had enough money to live on his income and to indulge his passion for irises without fear of what the future might bring. Like everyone else at that time, he was ecstatic about the variety of iris colors obtained by the natural pollinations; and he said to himself that it was possible to select the most beautiful - or the most original - among the flowers from the intervention of pollinating bees. Thus, his selection of work started in the 1830s; and his first choice was a plicata variety, which he called iris 'Buriensis.' This iris is now extinct (unless it has naturalized, which is likely), but the work of a few researchers has shown that it must be quite similar to the variety called 'True Delight' (Sturtevant, 1924). Today nobody discusses the appearance of iris 'Buriensis', but a recent study suggests that this variety was much older than the date originally indicated. Rather than the 1830s, we should talk about the 1810s, which places the origin of iris horticulture even earlier than we thought!

'True Delight' photo by Mike Unser

Monsieur de Bure was followed very quickly by other French nurserymen, in particular Henri Antoine Jacques, gardener of King Louis-Philippe in his castle of Neuilly in the west of Paris who found a most famous iris called 'Jacquesiana', from the 1840s. It was then a family of prolific and inspired nurserymen, Jean and Jean Nicolas Lémon, who brought a large number of varieties to the market. These plants met with tremendous success and many of them still exist today, 170 years after their selection.

'Jacquesiana' photo by Mike Unser

These first famous plants were created by natural pollination and then selected by the nurserymen. As for the crosses made by human hands, we will have to wait a little longer. French supremacy in the iris world went through a major crisis caused by the Franco-Prussian war of 1870, then the revolutionary episode of the Commune de Paris (1871). During these few years of estrangement from French specialists, British horticulturalists took up the torch and rapidly advanced iris horticulture. It was not until the years 1880/1890 and the preeminence of the Verdier family that France came back to the fore.

Victor Verdier was the nephew of Antoine Jacques, the gardener of King Louis-Philippe. He and his sons picked up the family torch. Their activity was essentially that of nurserymen, marketing the varieties of their colleagues, such as the Lémon or their uncle Jacques. Nevertheless, what we know from them are some very famous varieties, such as 'Clio' (1863), or 'Nuée d'Orage' (1905). This last variety can be considered the end of an era. During the half-century following these introductions, essential events occurred in the history of irises, such as the transition to tetraploidy, to which many French hybridizers largely contributed.

'Nuée d'Orage' photo by Mike Unser

Admittedly, it was not them who were at the start of this discovery; but when these irises gained enough interest, hybridizers immediately focused on them as well. During the eclipse of the French gardeners, their English colleagues, worried that they would no longer discover new colors in their irises, called on the large blue irises taken from the Near or Middle East. Very soon, however, they found themselves at a dead end: Middle Eastern irises only produced flowers in shades of blue. Hence the idea of ​​crossing them with European irises. However, the first crosses were very disappointing. There were few successful fertilizations and seedlings proved sterile. At the time they could not explain these phenomena, and it took much perseverance by the hybridizers who continued to try their luck, before another Frenchman, Marc Simonet, appeared and solved the mystery by counting the iris chromosomes.

'Demi-Deuil' and 'Madame Chobaut' photos by Mike Unser

This period of uncertainty, which lasted for over thirty years, marked a fundamental stage in the history of irises. The efforts of French hybridizers were decisive and horticulturalists such as Ferdinand Denis and Alexandre and Lionel Millet, inspired by their British colleagues, brought large-flowered irises from Turkey and crossed them with "small"-flowered irises, producing the fertile and richly colored flowers that we know today. Ferdinand Denis had a very productive career. In tall beardeds (TBs) alone, he registered over 70 varieties. Among these, the famous 'Demi-Deuil' (1912), unusual 'Madame Chobaut' (1916), and the pale blue 'Andrée Autissier' (1921). As for the Millet firm, their work was just as productive, producing the essential 'Souvenir de Madame Gaudichau' (1914) and 'Mary Senni' (1930).

'Souvenir de Madame Gaudichau' photo by Mike Unser 

It was during this period of transition that two exceptional French hybridizers came to the fore: Philippe de Vilmorin and Ferdinand Cayeux. They have had very different careers. Philippe de Vilmorin was a flamboyant character, inspired by irises, but only hybridizing with the zealous and faithful intervention of Séraphin Mottet, his chief gardener. Mottet made the crosses, Vilmorin made the decisions. Together they created splendid flowers which marked their time, like 'Caprice' (1898), 'Oriflamme' (1904), and 'Ambassadeuer' (1920). But their reign was short-lived, pioneer Philippe de Vilmorin died prematurely.

'Caprice' and 'Ambassadeur' photos by Mike Unser

Ferdinand Cayeux, a businessman as much as a genius horticulturist, largely dominated his time. He was admired by the world of irises which had recognized in him an exceptional character. His irises have been cultivated all over the world and varieties like 'Jean Cayeux' (1931) or 'Madame Louis Aureau' (1934) are still alive today in many collections. He made the “iridosphere” take a huge leap forward. His influence lasted until World War II when it brought his work to a halt. When peace returned, the American hybridizers had reclaimed the first place in the world because they made considerable progress.

'Madame Louis Aureau' photo Mike Unser

The Cayeux family had passed the torch to Ferdinand's grandson, Jean, also an excellent hybridizer, who was talked about for 50 years by producing real monuments like 'Condottiere' (1978) or the long series "tricolor" varieties that got started by 'Bal Masqué' (1991).

'Casque D'Or' (J. Cayeux, 1957) photo by Mike Unser

At the end of the war, the French hybridizers had practically disappeared. Apart from Jean Cayeux there was no one left. It was not until the end of the 1970s that enlightened and daring amateurs came to make their contribution to the creation of new varieties. We owe this renewal to a man, Pierre Anfosso, who added his passion for irises to his vocation as a painter. It was in 1979 that he made his appearance in the “iridosphere,” with varieties that were recognized by all such as 'Echo de France,’ his homage to the work of Barry Blyth. He communicated the iris virus to all his family, and outstanding varieties are attributed to his son Pierre-Christian, his daughter Laure, his wife Monique and his daughter-in-law Vivette. Both French and American iris enthusiasts regretted that this family had discontinued their iris creation at the end of the 1990s, and were delighted to see its rebirth in 2015.

'Echo de France' photo by Mike Unser

The 1990s saw the emergence of a new hybridizer full of talent and very eclectic in his fields of activity: Lawrence Ransom. This breeder with a very sure taste produced charming flowers of great quality but which remained confidential in their distribution. Two or three other people made themselves known in the same period, but in a more artisan than professional way. At that time it was Richard Cayeux, heir to the famous family, who largely dominated the French market, showing first-rate talent and obtaining numerous and superb varieties. Today he is a globally known and recognized hybridizer. His example served for several iris fanatics to embark on hybridization and marketing of their production. In this way, the number of new French varieties quickly increased and real talents were revealed. Their work focused on all types of irises, but primarily on TBs. Each year now, we see new hybridizers advance their work, but what limits their recognition at the global level is the weakness of their marketing network.

Nowadays if the supremacy in the world of irises still rests with the American hybridizers, it has a lot to do with a host of breeders from all countries of the world. Among these, are French breeders, who have regained an honorable place.

A Growing Iris Resource on YouTube: Part I

by Heather Haley

In this post, I share a delightfully growing iris resource. Sharing information on the World of Irises blog is one of many ways that the American Iris Society (AIS) uses the internet to organize and disseminate knowledge. Content draws on the various talents of individuals within our organization and helps to advance its mission: fostering the preservation, enjoyment, and continued development of the genus Iris.

Volunteers with technical expertise (or a willingness to learn) devote time and energy to social media efforts that promote aspects of AIS to other members and the general gardening public. The AIS Facebook page was created in 2009, which was later supplemented by a Twitter feed in 2011, a YouTube channel in 2016, and an Instagram account in 2019. 

The AIS YouTube channel started with a video featuring World of Irises bloggers, and has added a sizable amount of content during 2020 and 2021. If you are just getting started with irises, have the desire to learn more, or need to keep yourself occupied between bloom seasons, I highly recommend watching videos in the AIS webinar series. 

The following describes the webinars prepared, delivered, recorded, and posted by AIS volunteers in 2020.

Gary White is a past president of AIS and started growing irises soon after he finished college. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in biology, with a focus on botany. He has been a member of every AIS Section and Cooperating Society, and has been judging irises for over twenty years. In this first webinar, Gary helped us look at irises and circumstances prior to the formation of AIS in 1920, and then described some of the irises, people, and events leading to the middle of the 20th Century.

“Irises and AIS - The Middle Years” with Gary White

Gary returned for a second webinar to share irises and people who were most influential several years after the formation of AIS. His story picks up from the end of the first webinar, the middle of the 20th century, and continues through near the end of the century. This webinar focuses on irises that you may be growing in your garden and people you may recognize.

“Novelty Irises: Broken Color and Flatties” with Bonnie Nichols

“Novelty Irises: Space Agers” with Bonnie Nichols

Bonnie Nichols is currently serving as the first-vice president of AIS, and was the first president of the Novelty Iris Society when this Section was added to the organization in 2015. She has also served AIS as a regional vice president, and treasurer. Bonnie has always been drawn to flowers with unusual characteristics and color patterns. In two webinars, Bonnie shares her passion for novelty irises and offers a glimpse into "something new from something old."

“Iris Growing Basics, Part 1: Bearded Iris” with Bonnie Nichols

Bonnie Nichols returned for a third webinar to share wisdom from her experience growing irises for as long as she can remember. As in my family, Bonnie's mother was the source of her interest in irises. Bonnie and her husband Hooker own a commercial iris garden; and both are prestigious emeritus judges with AIS. In this webinar, Bonnie shares "Growing Irises 101," and focuses on basics for culture of bearded types.

“Growing Iris Basics, Part 2: Beardless Iris” with Jody Nolin

Jody Nolin has worn many hats in our society, including AIS president, regional vice president, treasurer of the Society for Japanese Irises, secretary of SIGNA, and editor for SPCNI. She is currently serving as the AIS Affiliate chair and tries growing any iris that will tolerate the weather and soil at her home in rural northwest Ohio. Jody maintains an assortment beardless and species irises, including Louisiana, pseudata, Siberian, Japanese, spuria, AND bulbous irises. In this webinar, Jody shares the basics and delights of growing beardless irises.

Descriptions of AIS webinars recorded during 2021 will follow in future posts. Until then, visit the AIS website for links to related organizations, information, and ways to connect with others who love irises. You may also wish to join, follow, or subscribe to AIS webpages on your preferred social media platform.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamericanirissociety/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/tweetais
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheAmericanIrisSociety
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theamericanirissociety/?hl=en

Classic Hybridizers: Eva Faught

By Mike Unser

Eva Faught was born in Shelbyville, Illinois, in 1888 to John and Eliza Fought (it is unknown why she spelled her last name differently from her parents). She spent her early professional years as a bacteriologist in Springfield, and relocated to Carbondale, IL, when the new offices of the State Department of Health were located there. It was here that she created a garden and started hybridizing with irises. She concentrated mainly on blue and white irises. She introduced irises thru the 1940s and 1950s. In 1955 she traveled abroad to England and then to South Africa, where she visited with her sister. A few years later she retired and moved to Cuernevaca, Mexico, where she built a small home in the style of the Midwest. She passed away in 1978 at the age of 90, having been cared for by an order of Mexican nuns in her final years.

Eva Faught was a very harsh critic of her own creations, and is said to have carried a machete with her during bloom season, ruthlessly slashing varieties to the ground that did not meet her exacting standards. Tho she was a prolific hybridizer and planted out thousands of seedlings each year, she only registered nine varieties from her garden: 'Cahokia' (1948), 'Carbondale' (1954), 'Eva Sloan' (1953), 'Illinois Sunshine' (1949), 'Lavone' (1954), 'Pierre Menard' (1948), 'Roxy' (1954), 'White Chalice' (1957), and 'White Peacock' (1944). It is unknown if the three from 1954 were ever introduced. Illinois Sunshine was a very popular yellow, but it was two of her blues, sister seedlings 'Cahokia' and 'Pierre Menard', that really brought her renown and a well-deserved place in Iris history.

'Cahokia' [above] is simply a perfect flower. It has a complex parentage involving three other classic irises: 'Santa Clara', 'Santa Barbara' and 'Purissima'. Cooley's Gardens catalog described it as: "Large exquisitely formed flowers of light butterfly-blue delicately veined deeper. There is no hint of lavender in the color and the haft is smooth and clean. Bright golden yellow beard." It really is an exceptional shade of blue, and the branching and growth habits are as good as the flowers are beautiful. The blooms are large on tall sturdy stems and often have three open at once. A high bud count keeps it blooming for a good while as well.

Pierre Menard is the name of a fictional author created in a short story by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges. It is also the name of one of the most important irises in the history of the development of our favorite garden flower [above, from Cooley's Gardens catalog for 1959]. 'Pierre Menard' can be found in the background of most of our modern blues because, like 'Cahokia', breeders loved its unique shade of blue and used it extensively in the creation of new varieties. Syllmar Gardens catalog for 1956 described it as: "Very large blooms of medium blue with horizontal falls. Excellent form and outstanding substance. There is a lot of blue to its coloring and the entire flower posses a lovely enamel finish. Good branching and vigorous growth. A really fine iris."

Miss Faught had a shorter career than most in the iris world, but made a very big impact. The development of modern blues would not have been the same without her contributions.

Update: it has been brought to my attention that Pierre Menard was a French fur trapper who became the state of Illinois' first lieutenant governor. Thanks to Keith Keppel for the info!

Thanks to Pam Thompson for genealogical information. Info also from AISB #110 July 1948 and AISB #227 Fall 1978.

Stricken by Irises

By Bryce Williamson

You grow to love some irises over time, but others strike you upon first viewing.  In my case, two of the times I was immediately stricken by the beauty of an iris were in Clara and Ruth Rees's gardens.

I gained my love of velvet-falled irises from seeing their huge clump of "Amigo", an exceptionally beautiful flower.

"Amigo" Courtesy of Mike Lowe from original HIPS website

Another time, I rounded the lattice-work that defined a "room" in their home garden, and found a lovely stalk of "Swan Ballet", showing off why it won the Dykes Medal.

"Swan Ballet" Photo by author

"Swan Ballet" is an important iris in other ways besides being merely beautiful: it won the Dykes Medal, its child "Pacific Panorama" won the Dykes for Neva Sexton, and a child of "Pacific Panorama." "Shipshape," won the Dykes for Stafford Babson.  (I only know of one other example of three generations of irises winning the Dykes:  "Pink Taffeta," "Vanity", and "Beverly Sills.")

"Pacific Panorama" photo by Roland Dejoux

"Shipshape" photo by Colleen Modra

Another iris that struck me the first time I saw it was "Helen McGregor" in the garden of Mrs. Hobbs in Orland, California. She grew mainly older varieties in long rows stretching out through her pecan grove. With a little luck we would also find some of Truman Capote's “windfall pecans” while viewing the flowers.

"Helen McGregor"  Photo by Bluebird Haven Iris Garden

"Helen McGregor" impressed me as so very blue and I was later pleased to find that almost all of the very best current “true” blues go back to this variety.

"Anon" photo by Country Delight Iris

Jim Gibson's wonderful iris (and wonderful parent) "Anon" is stuck in my mind from the San Diego National Iris Convention where it was growing in Archie Owen's yard by a lemon tree. I knew that I had to have this distinctive variety instantly, and I grew it for many years. In one of the great mysteries of iris growing, "Anon" really liked the town of Campbell—it would bloom 10 inches taller here than for Bill Maryott who was just 5 miles away.

The last time I saw Jim Gibson was at a Porterville Regional Iris Tour, at the home of George and Margaret Sutton.  Sprung from his retirement at the rest home, he graced us with his presence and knowledge.  We had a good talk, but it was a little sad to hear him say "I only can make crosses in my mind anymore."  That was the last time I saw the kind man who produced so many lovely and famous flowers. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his work, he was very famous for producing glorious diversity in plicatas.


Are there any irises that struck you from the first time you saw them?  I hope you do- please feel free to tell us about them in the comments section.

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This will be my last scheduled post for the blog, but I will occasionally be back as a guest blogger.  I have a few final words about the world of irises.

First, I have enjoyed giving you the history of my local iris society on this blog. When I learned that my local society, The Clara B. Rees Iris Society, had only one picture of Clara, I grew a bit concerned about the loss of history in the world of irises.  This is partly my own fault—I could have and should have done a better job in my younger years taking pictures of people and gardens and preserving them for posterity.  So please, take photos and record the history you are in the process of making in the iris world.

Second, my life has been immeasurably enriched by visiting the iris gardens of others.  Sometimes, though, I worry that fewer people are visiting the gardens of other iris growers and gardeners. How can anyone expand a healthy and thriving iris collection if they don't see the newer varieties in real life? I encourage everyone to get out, meet the interesting people growing irises, and see what the flower looks like in their gardens. Furthermore, hybridizers used to send their seedlings around the country before introduction to test them in various climates. There has been a decline in that practice, which concerns me, since it is a healthy practice for the production of good garden irises.  I'd like to encourage hybridizers who have not tried this to begin, and to thank those who do.

Third, as gardening and agriculture have become more commercial, we are finding that new garden chemicals are not tested on irises; moreover, we don't seem to have many iris growers of a scientific bent who are willing to do that testing.  It's expensive, and of course, a whole post could be written about the horrible effect of the current US depression on iris gardens and plant nurseries in general.  Ten years ago who would have believed that a famous name such as Cooley's Gardens would be closed?  Consider sharing your experiences with these new chemicals and methods with others so that we can continue to enjoy irises for many years to come.

Napa County Iris Gardens, photo by the author

Finally, when I first started growing irises, irises were the favorite perennial in the country. That is not the case today, sadly. With so many fine qualities all of the iris species need to regain their rightful places as pre-eminent American perennials. Toward than end, I am proud to have served on this blog to help re-popularize this magnificent flower.

Jim McWhirter: An Iris Eye for Style

By Bryce Williamson  

When iris season starts, as it is about to do in Northern California, I find I miss Jim McWhirter not only for his stylish irises, but even more because he was so much fun.  He not only had an eye for good irises, but also for decorating and collecting. He helped me to become me addicted to collecting iris artifacts, though I never had the luck he had in discovering wonderful antiques with iris motifs.

Jim McWhirter and his partner, Don Denney, first appeared at a Spring Regional Convention in 1972. They had become interested in irises and, in the company of Frances and Larry Gaulter and Vi and Walt Luihn, came down for the Sunday events at the meeting. Soon thereafter, they found a delightful old Victorian cottage on acreage in Hayward where they could grow irises. They revived the name Cottage Gardens, which had been first used by Ethel and George Johnson.  By the 1978 National, they had seedlings ready for introduction. At that meeting, the AIS was introduced to Jim McWhirter's iris eye for style.

Jim's first truly famous introduction was 'Tequila Sunrise', a cross of Plough's 'Amigo's Guitar' to a Gaulter seedling (Jim's connection to the Gaulters would last the lifetimes of Larry and Frances).

'Tequila Sunrise'

Jim's first big award winner with the aptly named 'Brandy' from the wide cross of 'Warlord' and 'Pink Sleigh'. It would go on to win an Award of Merit and was on the Dykes runner-ups list as long as it was eligible. Other hybridizers would appreciate the diverse genetic makeup of 'Brandy' and used it in hybridizing.

'Brandy"

Cottage Gardens would later move to Sebastopol.  But Sebastopol, despite the connection to Luther Burbank, proved to be a poor place to grow irises and threw Jim's hybridizing off.   As a result, he moved to Wilton for the superior climate, and released a wide blue-white out of Opal Brown's 'Light Fantastic' X to Larry Gaulter’s 'Carriage Trade'. Jim had the seedling for many years—we had all long admired its wonderful ruffled and wide form—but Jim had keep it back from commerce due to its tight branching. He finally released it as 'Winterscape', a name I suggested to him. That was a wise move, as the tight branching did not pass to its children and 'Winterscape' became a wonderful parent for others, including hybridizers Duane Meek and Joe Gatty.

"Winterscape'

By the time of his death, Jim was becoming increasingly interested in whites and blues. 'America's Cup' was an Award of Merit winner for him and I still grow two of his later whites, 'Helen Cochran' and 'Mother Marshmallow'. By that point, Cottage Gardens had moved into the old Keppel garden in Stockton and was called Stockton Gardens.

'America's Cup'

I always liked his 'Great Gatsby', even better than 'World Premier', and continue to grow it for its velvet finished falls.

"Great Gatsby"

Once a hybridizer dies, their irises often fall out of commerce.  Jim's irises are no exception. Every once and a while, though, I find 'Tequila Sunrise' listed in general garden catalogues or in the the boxes of irises that magically appear in the local nurseries in August.  Sadly, I can't find a single garden still listing the metallic violet 'Holly Golightly' (Jim had wanted to name it Elizabeth Taylor, but Taylor wanted money for the right to use her name).

'Holly Golightly'

Aside from his own hybridizing program, Jim also selected Don Denney's last introductions. As a matter of fact,  Jim and Abram Feuerstein took on the last of the Gaulter seedlings and released the last Gaulter introduction, 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', which went on to win an Award of Merit. It's a shame that Jim died so early, for I'm certain that when Virginia Messick passed on, there were still some seedlings worthy of introduction, and if Jim had lived, he would have used his eye for style to find, name, and introduce them.  I miss Jim for his fun personality and for his iris eye for style, and I am happy to have his irises to remember him by.