By Bryce Williamson
At this time of year, I should have just returned from my
annual Oregon/Washington trip to the iris gardens, but this year, sadly, is not
normal. I am writing, instead, about my trips in 2018 and 2019 and the focus is Aitken’s Salmon Creek.
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| M. Smith 14-16E |
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| Terry Aitkens showing me some of Siberian seedlings from a different bloodline. |
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| A lilac that was almost a small tree. |
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| Ah, if they would only grow in California... |
In 2018 I was scheduled to meet my sister, her oldest
daughter and family for dinner, so I went to Aitken’s last, but in 2019 I
went there first since I thought I had shorted the garden the previous year. I
always enjoy this garden not only for the irises—and a wide range of irises are
gown there—but also for all the other flowering plant materials including Terry’s
orchids.
Many of us wonder about the next generation of American
hybridizers, so I was delighted to learn that Markie Smith’s grandson is now
hybridizing and introducing irises.
Here are some irises and some other plants from the last two
year’s visits.
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| Aitken 14-T-ZZA |
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| 'Black Cherry Blast' |
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| 'Cabbage Patch' |
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| 'Catching Fire' |
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| 'Soul Mate' |
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| 'Sunny Morning' |
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| 'Unconditional Love' |
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| 'Visigoth' |
Some Siberians were looking good too:
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| 'Judy, Judy, Judy' |
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| 'Lemon Blush' |
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'Simon Says'
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