By Bryce Willliamson
In putting together
the blog The Winter Flowering I. unguicularis, Mr. Richard Tasco answered my
questions and provided images. The
following interview has been constructed from our correspondence. I. unguicularis do provide good winter flowering plants in Zone 7 and up, but cannot be grown outside in other zones.
BW: How did you get started hybridizing
I. unguicularis?
RT: During the 1998 season I
made my first cross with the Iris Unguicularis. This was I. Ssp Cretensis
X Marondera. Marondera is an unregistered large flowered Unguicularis of
unknown origin. I found reference to this clone in South Africa.
This cross produced 3 seeds, two of which germinated and one went on
to die. The other turned out to be my first Unguicularis introduction
“Dazzling Eyes” (Tasco 2004).
Dazzling Eyes (Tasco)--image by Rick Tasco
In succeeding years I
started to use more clones which I acquired: Mary Barnard, Walter Butt,
Alba, Lazica and of course Marondera. Marondera more than any of the
others proved to be a wonderful parent. It was largely responsible for my
goal of getting large flowers with large rounded petals in this class.
Lazica and Walter Butt did not produce anything worthwhile. I was more
successful with Alba and Mary Barnard. Wishmaster (Tasco 2007) was
Marondera X Mary Barnard. This is a large medium purple flower.
BW: What were and are your goals in hybridizing?
RT: Another goal was to use
Alba to create a very pale lavender along the lines of Walter Butt, but much
larger. This was achieved with my Lavender Moonbeams (Tasco 2014) by
using Alba X Marondera. I called it Lavender Moonbeams. I’m still
using Alba trying to get a white flower with blue shadings. White flowers
do appear in my seedlings but only in the second generation. Such as Alba
X Marondera and then Alba by the progeny of the first cross. The percent
of white flowers in any cross is about 10 percent, but most white flowers, like
Alba, aren’t strong growers. I’m working to improve that.
Lavender Moonbeams (Tasco 2014)--image by Rick Tasco
Still another goal was for
dark flowers. Result was Winter Echoes (Tasco 2011), this was a cross of
Marondera X Mary Barnard. I’m still working for something darker.
Winter Echoes (Tasco 2011)--image by Rick Tasco
The progeny of these
crosses do not produce that much diversity and it is difficult to select
something different and better. One year I grew 800 seedlings and only
selected two to introduce. Currently I have about 700 unguicularis
seedlings.
Tasco 04-UNG-03-10--image by Rick Tasco
BW: Do you have any tips for gardeners?
RT: Unguicularis are easy
growing plants that can grow and bloom in either full sun or partial
shade. In full sun the foliage may yellow somewhat and become upright
making it difficult to observe the flowers in bloom. In partial shade the
foliage remains greener and tends to reflex so the flowers can be easily be
observed.
Image by Rick Tasco
BW: What are some of the unusual characteristics of I.
unguicularis?
Unguicularis do not have
stalks. They flower on elongated perianth tubes. Some varieties
have longer tubes than others, but most are between 8 and 15 inches.
BW: Do you have any special cultural recommendations?
RT: In our Central California
climate it is best to plant or transplant Unguicularis at the end of October or
the beginning of November. Although most literature say they can grow in
poor soil, I amend my soil with a good soil amendment, half and half, such as
Miracle-Gro or Sta-Green (very comparable and less expensive than Miracle-Gro
but only available at Lowe’s). This makes a big difference in good growth
and more flowers.
Rick Tasco's I. unguircularis seedling bed, February 3, 2017--image by Rick Tasco
From late spring thru
October the plant is dormant and the roots will die. When digging for
transplant there will be many wiry roots that are dead. With the onset of
cooler and wetter weather the plants will begin to grow new fat white roots
similar to Pacific Coast Natives. I cut off all the dead and wiry roots
before I transplant being careful not to cut the new fat white ones. They
transplant easily even into pots.
Tasco 04-ung-02-11_2_2013 (1)--image by Rick Tasco
Editor’s Note:
For plants, two sources are available. Superstition Iris Gardens offer three of
the four Tasco varieties this year in 4 inch pots for sale and can be contacted
at randrcv@sti.net or search for the Superstition Iris
Gardens page on Facebook; Plant Delight Gardens in NC sells them
too and they have an on-line catalogue at https://www.plantdelights.com.
My sincere thanks
to Mr. Richard Tasco for providing information and images.
