The Winter Flowering Iris Unguicularis

By Bryce Williamson

Gardeners are always looking for ways to extend bloom season and iris gardeners are no exception. In his recent blog, Hooker Nichols talk about using Louisiana irises to extend the iris season after the tall bearded irises bloom; for those of us that live in a mild climate, there is a little grown iris that can start to flower as early as October and bloom during the winter months—I. unguicularis, sometimes called the Algerian iris. The term Algerian iris is a bit confusing since clones of I. unguicularis are found in the Greek islands, Greece, Syria, Tunisia, and even Turkey.

Lavender Moonbeams (Tasco)--image by Rick Tasco

With plants that grow 12 to 15 inches in height, the flowers can bloom in the foliage. Producing fragrant flowers off and on through winter, the buds are frost resistant though the flowers are not. Unlike most types of irises, I. unguicularis produce flowers over weeks and even months during the winter; however, the plants are loved by snails and slugs, making it necessary to keep the plants free of debris and snails and slugs under good control or they will eat the flowers before you have the chance to enjoy them.

As a plant from dry Mediterranean areas, this iris survive in the summer with only occasional moisture and grows and blooms in poor soil. I. unguicularis is recommended from USDA Zone 7 and higher only. While not widely grown in the United States, the Royal Horticultural Society has named I. unguicularis as one of the top 200 plants in the last 200 years.

Curtis's Botanical Magazine, 1869

Writing in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in 1869, J. D. H. May noted that information about this iris was “was first published, without a specific name, in 1789, by Poiret, in his Voyage en Barbarie, v. ii. p. 96, and afterwards, first as I. stylosa, by Desfontaines in 1798, and then as I. unguicularis by Poiret, in 1799.” Today I. stylosa is no longer used to describe this fragrant little gem in the winter garden.

There has been some interest in I. unguicularis in what is now known as Silicon Valley for many years; the late Edith Cleaves, of Los Gatos, California, created the varieties 'Edith Cleaves', 'Winter Gay', 'Winter Goldback', 'Winter Memories', 'Winter Mystery', 'Winter Snowflake', and 'Winter Treasure', but they no longer seem to be in commerce. More recently, the noted Central Valley hybridizer, Richard Tasco, best known for creating award winning tall bearded, median, and arilbred irises, has been working with I. unguicularis too. This last year, he raised 600 seedlings.

Image by Rick Tasco

To obtain plants, two sources are available: Superstition Iris Gardens are selling three of the four Tasco varieties this year in 4 inch pots and can be contacted at randrcv@sti.net or search for the Superstition Iris Gardens page on Facebook; Plant Delight Gardens in North Carolina sells them too and they have an on-line catalogue at https://www.plantdelights.com.

"Talking Irises" TALL BEARDED IRISES: COMPANION PLANTS for PINK, RED, and PURPLE IRISES

By Susanne Holland Spicker

'RED SKIES' (Ghio '07)

"The garden:  Where inspiration and creativity begins and it never ends"

This time of year I like to pause and evaluate the previous gardening year. By now in zone 6 the irises have been divided or transplanted into new areas. Perennials were planted in the fall. Poor performers have been moved or composted. Seeds and new plants have been ordered and will be planted in the beds in spring after the chance of all frost has passed.  New iris cultivars have been narrowed down to a few favorites and ready to order for summer planting. This continual evolution of the garden keeps it manageable and fresh.

'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth '07)

In a favorite iris bed I like to experiment with shades of pink, red and purple irises. I've then planted several varieties of companion plants among them that have the same bloom period, and similar sun and water requirements.

Tall Bearded irises from top center: 'DANDY CANDY' (Ernst '01), 'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth '07), 'DARING DECEPTION' (Johnson '12), 'TICKLE ME PINK' (Van Liere '11), 'LIMERENCE' (Blyth '09)

'ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN' (Blyth '02)

I've enlarged the bed several times now because of the sheer number of exceptional iris cultivars in these colors to choose from! I keep a visual record of the irises I have, so when planning for companion plants, I can easily choose appropriate ones. 

Tall bearded irises, top row, l to r:  'EYE FOR STYLE' (Blyth '06), 'RASPBERRY WINE' (Schreiner '01), 'PERSIAN BERRY' (Gaulter '77), 'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth ;07), 'TICKLE ME PINK' (Van Liere '11), 'APRIL FANFARE' SDB, (Black '14), Row 2, l to r: 'SWEETER THAN WINE' (Schreiner '98), 'PLUM PRETTY WHISKERS' (Spoon '03), 'ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN' (Blyth '02), 'LIMERENCE' (Blyth '09), 'MONTMARTRE' (Keppel '08), 'ELIZABETHAN AGE' (Baumunk '05), Row 3, l to r: 'CHANGE OF PACE' (Schreiner '99), 'WEARING RUBIES' (Blyth'00),'FLORENTINE SILK' (Keppel '05), 'EPICENTER' (Ghio '94),'JENNIFER REBECCA' (Zurbrigg '85), 'GAY PARASOL' (Schreiner '74), Row 4, l to r: 'LENTEN PRAYER' (Schreiner '98), 'CHINESE TREASURE' (Blyth '83), 'MACHISMO'(Blyth '04), 'RINGO' (Shoop ;79), 'CAT'S EYE' SDB (Black '02), 'ARTISTIC WEB' (Tasco '10)

A portion of the bed:

Forefront:  'PERSIAN BERRY' (Gaulter '77)

To extend bloom time in the spring garden, I've added several Standard Dwarf Bearded irises (SDB's). They bloom earlier than the tall bearded irises, and are the perfect plant to put in the front of a bed.

'CAT'S EYE' (Black '02) SDB

Pictured below are some of the combinations of color in the bed. Companion plants include foxglove, lupine, poppies, peonies, delphinium, clematis, widow's tears, meadow rue, Asiatic lilies, and Siberian irises. The first flush of hybrid tea roses begin when late blooming irises are still flowering as well.

Tall bearded iris top row, l to r:  'DEEP CURRENTS' (Johnson '09), 'MING LORD' (Blyth '06), 'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth '07), 'LENTEN PRAYER' (Schreiner '98), Bottom row, l to r: 'PLUM PRETTY WHISKERS' (Spoon '03), 'ARTIST'S TIME' (Schreiner '74), 'EMBRACE ME' (Van Liere '08)

From top l to r: 'ROLE REVERSAL' (Ghio '10), 'EXTRAVAGANT' (Hamblen '84),'MIDNIGHT REVELRY' (Schriner '05), Bottom, l to r: 'IN THE MORNING' (Innerst '04),'GITANO' (Keppel '07), 'PARISIAN DAWN' (Keppel '06), Garden bed: f to b: 'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth '00), 'POEM OF ECSTASY' (Hagar '97)

Tall bearded irises, Top, l to r: 'APRIL FANFARE' SDB (Black 2014), 'GENIALITY' (Brown '81), 'QUEEN IN CALICO' (Gibson '80), 'CAT'S EYE' SDB (Black '02), 'ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN' (Blyth '02)

Tall bearded irises, top row, l to r: 'PLUM PRETTY WHISKERS' (Spoon '03), 'CLOSE UP' (Tompkins '72), 'BUBBLE BUBBLE' (Ghio '05), Bottom row, l to r: 'DEEP CURRENTS'(Johnson '09),  'SWEETER THAN WINE' (Schreiner '98), garden shot, forefront to back:'DATE BAIT' (Meek '85), 'EVER AFTER' (Keppel '86), 'RINGO' (Shoop '79), 'RASPBERRY WINE' (Schreiner '01), 'ROSE' (Gaulter '78)

As I anxiously count down the days until spring, I'm always glad I've prepared the beds in fall by pruning, cutting down, labeling all plants, and cleaning up and discarding all debris; it makes spring clean up much easier and faster. Doing this decreases the chance of disease or other problems. Having garden maps and pictures to study helps me keep track of each plant--this is what's worked best for me, and if you don't have a system, it may for you, too.  

Tall bearded irises front to back: 'BOLD EXPRESSION' (Ernst '03), 'PURPLE SERENADE' (Schreiner '05), 'MAGHAREE' (Blyth '86)

I've enjoyed sharing some of my favorite irises and their companion plants, but I'd love to hear from you and what you're doing in your flower garden this year. I am always inspired by others and their gardens.  

Tall bearded irises from front left: 'CHAMPAGNE ELEGANCE' (Niswonger '87), 'MIDNIGHT REVELRY' (Schreiner '05), 'LATIN LOVER' Shoop '69), 'GAY PARASOL' (Schreiner '74), 'HEATHER CLOUD' (Hamner '81), 'GITANO' (Keppel '07), 'POEM OF ECSTASY' (Hager '97), 'IN THE MORNING' (Innerst '04), 'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth '07) 

Note: For more pictures and ideas on companion planting, go to

 "World of Irises", October 7, 2013 and December 2, 2013

IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - Winter 2017 Edition

By Andi Rivarola

A warm welcome to those who are seeing IRISES, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society for the first time. If you are a member of The American Iris Society I hope you enjoy this new edition, cover below, which you will receive via U.S. Mail very soon. 

The Winter 2017 issue of the AIS Bulletin will be available soon for online viewing also and is accessible via the Emembers section of the AIS website. 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.

On this issue:

On Page 6 & 7 the invitation and registration form to the L.A. Spuria Iris Fest 2017 to be held in the Los Angeles area on May 5 and 6. 

AIS President Gary White's message is on page 8.

An introduction to the 2016 Honorary Award Recipient Don Delmez from St. Louis, Missouri, on page 9, by Jim Morris.

President Gary White notes:

The AIS Board of Directors named Don Delmez of Region 18, as recipient of the AIS Hybridizer's Medal. Don hybridizes and introduces Japanese irises in the St. Louis, Missouri area. 

Fantastic iris photos in oh so many locations are available on pages 10 through 5. Displayed LARGE, they are the winners of the 2016 AIS Photo Contest. 

International Iris News are on pages 16 through 18, featuring stories from Australia, New Zealand, Germany and France, by Bruce Filardi. 

Bruce details the prizes to be awarded in Franciris 2017, the France Iris Competition:

• Best irises in the competition

• Best French iris

• The most floriferous iris

• The best perfume/fragrance

• The audience award (popular favorite)

An introduction to new AIS Board members, and their visit to Sedona, Arizona during the fall meeting, on pages 20 and 21. 

Please note that the 2016 Exhibition Report was printed separate from the Bulletin but inserted and mailed together. 

Two excellent scientific reports: one called, Genetics is Easy. Really? Not! by Jim Morris; followed by Jumping Genes, An Alternate View, by Dan Meckenstock. 

Jumping genes involve two DNA elements — the suppressor and the activator. The activator encodes a transposase enzyme that attaches itself to the suppressor-mutator element and inserts it into a chromosome. 

Don't miss a note by Stephanie Markham, presenting hybridizer Lynda Miller, the 2016 Bennett C. Jones Award for Outstanding Median Hybridizing, on page 36. 

Lastly, Youth Views are on pages 38 and 39, by Cheryl Deaton. 

If you need information about the Des Moines, Iowa National Convention, please find it on page 50 followed by the registration form on page 51.

There's a lot more to see and read in this edition of IRISES, either in digital or print formats. If you are an AIS member know that you will receive the print edition soon (it's in the hands of the U.S. Post Office), or if you are an e-member, then that version will be a available online soon. 

Happy gardening!

Louisiana Irises

By Hooker T. Nichols

'Great White Hope' (Haymon)--image by Robert Treadway

One of the easiest ways to extend your iris season is to plant a few Louisiana irises in your beds.  If you are gardener who raises irises, as well as, daylilies, Louisiana irises will fill in the bloom between the two bloom seasons.

'Red Velvet Elvis' (Vaughn) image by MJ Urist

Louisiana irises can be grown in any type of fertile soil, though they prefer somewhat acidic soil.  The best time to transplant them is in early autumn when the summer heat has passed. I use any type of low nitrogen fertilizer.  8-8-8, 10-20-0 works well or use granulated geranium or azalea fertilizer.  A little each month does wonder for their growth. Autumn application is around Halloween and Spring when the crocus bloom.

'Deja Voodoo' (O'Connor)--image by Robert Treadway

Plant the rhizomes 3” deep and keep watered until new growth begins.  Mulch them the year round and one good watering each week during the hot summer months is a must.  Do not allow them to go dormant during the summer.  

'Dural White Butterfly' (Taylor)

Photo by Richard Sloan

The bloom stalks range from 10 to over 50 inches in height.  Cut all bloom stalks after the last flowers fade.  Remember that allowing seed pods to form and mature will result on a reduction of buds the following year.

'Ride for Dixie' (Morgan) image by Delane Langton

Here are some older varieties I would highly recommend to the beginner if they want to grow a few Louisiana irises.  Just remember, most are rapid increasers and must be transplanted every two years.  Three year clumps can yield lots of increase and huge clumps. One half to full sun is recommended.

'Daintree' (Taylor)--image by Terry Aitken

'Melody Wilhoit' (Nichols)--image by Patrict O'Conner

White-Dural White Butterfly

Red-Red Velvet Elvis

Blue-Deja Voodoo

Orange-Ride for Dixie

Yellow-Daintree, Spanish Ballet, Edna Claunch, Melody Wilhoit

Purple-Great White Hope, Cajun Serenade, Starpower

Bronze-Cajun Sunrise

'Cajun Serenade' (Nichols)--image by Jim Morris

You will not be disappointed with the beauty of Louisiana Irises.

'Cajun Sunrise' (Mertzweiller)--image by Richard Sloan

Editor's Note: Hooker T. Nichols is one of our new bloggers and a famous, award winning hybridizer of tall bearded and median irises; in recent years, he has been breeding Louisiana irises and has spuria seedlings under consideration for introduction. His irises can be found at his garden: Hillcrest Iris & Daylily Gardens.

Cheerleading Reblooming Iris Hybridizing: Zone 6

by Betty Wilkerson

It's winter.  Time for me to grab the pom poms and start cheering for irises and reblooming irises in particular. I tend to think of myself as the number one cheerleader for raising and breeding rebloomers for the colder zones!  Many of the things that rebloom freely in Australia and the west coast of the US of A, will not rebloom in my zone 6 garden.  I've tested many throughout the years.

Once again I will attempt to encourage and support young people to join the small group of people working toward better rebloomers and better acceptance of rebloomers in the colder zones .  Why not grow irises that provide a second, and sometimes more, round of blooms?

After some 31 years of trial and error and lots of research, here is what I propose might be the best avenue to pursue in a breeding program.  Since most, if not all, of the plant habits come from the pod parent, it is important to start a program with a healthy plant that is disease resistant with good branching and required bud count.  Use strong rebloomers with good form, like 'Lunar Whitewash,' 'Gate of Heaven,' and Wilkerson seedling # 2130-01Re, as the pollen parent.  It is thought this is the best way to pass on form while having a good chance of rebloom.

'Lunar Whitewash' (Innerst 2003)

'Lunar Whitewash' and a seedling (Innerst 2003)

'Gate of Heaven' (2004)

2130-01Re (Wilkerson seedling)

Some of my best parents for rebloom have been seedlings 2130-01Re and 2025-01Re and also 'Star Gate' and 'All Revved Up.'  

2025-01Re (Wilkerson seedling)

'Star Gate' clump (Wilkerson 2004)

'Star Gate' (Wilkerson 2004)

'All Revved Up' clump (Wilkerson 2007)

'All Revved Up'  (Wilkerson 2007)

Some irises with the strongest rebloom characteristics, like 'Over and Over' and 'Immortality' have a more tailored form. The solution to this problem is to use the irises with good form as the pollen parents, as stated above, while using the more tailored ones as the pod parent.  It's also fun and educational to do reverse crosses, or do the cross both ways.   'Over and Over' can give good form, too, if used with a more modern formed rebloomer.  I've a spot that 'Immortality' likes and I'm happy to have blooms each fall.

We would like to see more advancements within the rebloom group, by bringing them closer to the wonders of the more modern oncers.  It's a tough goal, but we need it to be done.  Just make sure your seedlings are an advancement of the rebloomer in your garden.  Keep the parents in your garden and compare yours to the best currently available that perform in your garden. I stress "in your garden" because only you have your growing conditions.

'Over and Over' (Innerst 2001 )

'Immortality' with Dahlias (Zurbrigg 1982 )

'Immortality' (Zurbrigg 1982)

Another reminder.  Rebloomers are going to be judged as garden irises, the same as the Dyke's Medal contenders. It will be rare that an early blooming rebloomer will make a show bench other than in the fall shows.  Typically we only have three fall shows: one in Region 4, one in California, and another in Georgia.  None in region 7.

If you choose not to work with rebloomers, at least make some regular crosses. One or two rows of seedlings across the back of your regular iris planting.  Some of the best irises have come from a small backyard.  You never know when something great may show up. 

In summary, I'd like to urge all people to remember the plant first and then their special interests.  It's really difficult, and frustrating, to bring plant health, branching and bud count back to your lines, so use a quality plant as the pod parent.  Some feel that rebloom counts as more or extra bloom. Personally, I think it's good to get a decent bloom count in both the spring and fall.  Will I hold back an otherwise good introduction due to slightly lower bud count?  No.  

Winter is a good time for research.   Read everything you can find about iris and rebloomers.  We need help!

Historical Japanese Irises

by Chad Harris

For the past two years (2015-2016) Mt Pleasant Iris Farm has been very fortunate to be the recipients of many historic Iris ensata (Japanese iris) from their homeland. Most of these plants are "Historic," never have been in the United States nor registered with the American Iris Society. I have been asked not only to register these but also, when the stock increases, to distribute them to the open market for prosperity.

This is the beginning of a photo journal of one of the two beds that will be posted and updated until they bloom.

This bed was planted last summer with 53 irises most no larger than the end of a thumb. Originally 6 were deemed to be lost; however, at today's count it seems that only 2 are not coming up.

At this time half will try to bloom this year. Looking forward to the bloom and the journey!

Just a few weeks later (4/15) and the iris have not only woken from their winter rest but have more than doubled in size. I can hardly wait until the bloom in about two months.

May 21 with the heat setting off an early spring, the plants have doubled and are now waist high with buds starting to show.

June 12 and the maiden bloom of the plants are showing the many colors and different flower forms that can be found with the Japanese iris, Iris ensata.

A more detailed look to the different flower forms, colors, and blooming habits will be presented by Chad Harris at the Society for Japanese Iris Section Program in Des Moines, Iowa at the American Iris Society National Convention May 22-27, 2017 titled “Old There, New Here” a look at historic Japanese irises. For more information about the National, click here to go to the website.

Editor's Note: Most of this blog first appeared on Chad Harris's garden site: Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm. While specializing in water land irises of Asia, there is a good listing of other types of irises too.

Developing New Pacifica Iris Hybrids

Kathleen Sayce

January 1, 2017

This could be titled the Frustrations of Developing New Hybrids. 

The current issue of Pacific Iris came out two weeks ago, and it includes sadness:  well-known irisarian Jean Witt died in 2016. Jean cast a very long shadow over many decades of iris breeding, including PCI and wide crosses between PCI and Sibiricae species. This issue celebrates her life, including decades of her work hybridizing, guiding generations of irisarians, and looks at the future of iris hybridization from the viewpoint of several current growers.

The last time we spoke, Jean told me that the world of iris breeding is still wide open. As much has been done, we have only scratched the surface, she said. New patterns, new colors, and new genetic crosses await us. 

My own perspective has changed greatly over the years that I’ve been growing PCI. I began with the desire to grow sturdy plants with flowers in a rainbow of pure colors in an ever widening range of flowering months. Local climate constraints [growing on the coast of the Pacific Northwest] became clear over several frustrating years of failed crosses, and even lack of seed set on open pollinated flowers during particularly wet springs. This reality led me to rethink breeding goals. I started other beardless Iris species from seed, with a goal of wide crosses with PCI. Several of those plants immediately picked up a virus, so out they went. It was time for rethinking. 

Iris tenax in the garden, grown from seed and showcasing the sturdy flowers, held well above leaves and in this case, with nicely rounded petals. 

I offer my modified goals here, as we enter winter in the northern hemisphere. 

Goal One: Well-shaped flowers that don’t melt in the rain. 
The pale yellows I developed a few years ago have fragile flowers. One good rainstorm, and the petals are gone. White and other pale flower colors often have the same issue. Richard Richards’ very sturdy white-flowered hybrids from southern California, bred for heat tolerance and long summer droughts, hold up to my local rain. Largely ruffly flowers with wide petals and abundant frills also tend to do badly in wet weather, as do most flat dinner-plate type petals. I have a new appreciation every wet spring for those narrow, sturdy falls on species PCI that bend down rather than out. 

Floppy pods! Snails and slugs may chew on the pods when they are flat on the ground. 

Goal Two: Flowering stems that stand up and flex in high winds, and hold their seed pods up, weeks later.  
While stems that flop over undoubtedly help with seed dispersal in nature; in the garden, this makes it hard to find and collect seeds. I started with green organza bags to enclose pods, only to find that they vanish in the garden, sometimes for years. Brightly colored bags do better, but upright stems are better still. 

One of the sturdiest PCI in the coastal garden is this dwarf Iris douglaisana selection. The flowers are plain, and yes, this one stands up to rain and wind nicely. 

Goal Three: Plants that are strong, vigorous, and sturdy, with a variety of heights. 
Too many current hybrids are all the same size. Historically, PCI had very short plants, well under 12 inches (25 cm) in height, as well as tall plants, more than 30 inches high (76 cm). Bring back the full range of heights! I’m now selecting, as much as I can, for taller, stronger plants. Each climate has its own constraints and opportunities, and in my climate, sturdiness is an important goal. 

An I. douglasiana selection from Cape Blanco, Oregon, has plain lavender flowers on sturdy stems, and is taller than most PCI. 

As for colors? Ha. I’ll take what I can get, to get started on the next century of PCI hybrids. It's back to the drawing board for me. Jean is right:  the field is wide open for new irises of all kinds.