Friday, March 14, 2014
The Survivors - In Praise of Hardy Irises
By Mike Unser
I've been a member of HIPS for many years now and have had hundreds of folks send me photos of irises they have found which they are looking to ID. I also like to note when I am traveling what varieties I see left in public plantings where they receive little care. From these observations a few have turned up again and again, and it has given me a good appreciation for those varieties that are super hardy and can survive years of neglect. Here's a few of my favorites. (As always, click the photos for larger views).
Flavescens shows up over and over, especially in the northern part of the country where it was spread far and wide by settlers from Scandinavian countries. I see it here in Olympia and surrounding towns all the time in spring, happily blooming away with no care at all. One local clump is in the shade of a big leaf maple and doesn't seem to mind the heavy shade a bit. These survivors are always breaking the "rules" we usually think of when cultivating bearded irises.
Several years ago when visiting my hometown in Illinois I stopped by the farm where my grandparents had lived. My grandmother had sold the place ten years before but her iris garden was still there. The current owners graciously allowed me to take some starts home. Among them I found I. kochii, Blue Shimmer, and Pinnacle. I. kochii in particular seems very widely spread.
Another relative's old homestead turned up Florentina happily growing under a large rhody. Florentina shows up everywhere in the US.
This next one does not have a name. The best HIPS experts have pondered it and come up empty and yet it is everywhere. I see this more often than most any other in people's submissions wanting IDs. I saw it on the AIS Facebook page the other day too, again, someone looking for the name. It is a real charmer too. Small diploid blooms but loads of them They open with the standards tinted lavender but it fades to a soft yellow over the life of the bloom.
These last two are maybe the hardiest of all: Lent A. Williamson and Indian Chief. Both are found all across the US. Here they are growing outside the Court services building in Olympia, WA. Every couple of years the city work crews come thru and dump several inches of beauty bark on them (!!), but they are otherwise left alone.
Indian Chief is growing in shade on the north side of the building and only gets direct sunlight in the summer when the sun moves far enough north to hit it.
I visited Mt. Hood several years ago and came upon a large clearing well up in the mountains. A cabin had been there once long ago but was now long gone, leaving an open grassy meadow. Scattered across the hillside were bearded iris fans. I took one home to see what this might be and, sure enough, it was Indian Chief.
If you are looking for some bearded irises that you'll never have to fuss over you could not find better than these, and they are perfect for tough climates or growing conditions. Hybridizers looking to bring vigor and hardiness into their lines could consider these as well.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Sampling Hybridizers: My Favorite Photos of Louisiana Irises Part III
By Ron Killingsworth
'Mississippi Eavesdropper' (Peter Jackson, 2011) |
Peter Jackson of Australia has produced many beautiful Louisiana irises. 'Mississippi Eavesdropper' is certainly a great example of his work. This flower form is very uncommon in modern Louisiana iris hybrids. The yellow style arms standing tall matched by the same color halo around the petals makes this one of my favorite pictures and favorite irises!
'Montegut' (Joe Musacchia - 2010) |
'Miss Gertie's Bonnet' (Dormon Haymon, 1999) |
'Nancy Tichborne' (Bernard Pryor, 2010) |
'Our Dorothy' (Bernard Pryor, 1997) |
'Seminole Sunrise' (Harry Wolford, 2004) |
'Shizuoka Sunrise' (Pat O'Connor, 2001) |
'Starlite Starbrite' (Marvin Granger, 1985) |
'Tarnished Brass' (Frank Chowning, 1961) |
'Twisted Sister' (Pat O'Connor, 2003) |
'Wild Cajun' (Henry Rowlan, 1989) |
'Word of Warning' (Heather Pryor, 2003) |
Another great iris by Heather from "down under". It has such striking signals and coordinated colors! It has 'Our Dorothy' as a parent.
I hope you have enjoyed some of these well photographed pictures of beautiful irises. Grab that camera during bloom season and get out there and take some award winners of your own!
Labels:
favorite louisiana irises,
iris hybridizers,
iris photographs,
Louisiana irises,
Ron Killingsworth
Monday, March 3, 2014
Aruba's Eye-Popping Clump Shots
'Amber Essence' in Brad's Garden c. Brad Collins |
By Renee Fraser
We are a lucky generation of gardeners: there are quite a number of talented
photographers across the internet sharing their shots of our favorite flower. In the days before internet sites such as
Dave's Garden, All Things Plants, Gardenweb, and of course, the American Iris
Society's Iris Encyclopedia, we had to anxiously await the year's catalogs from
our favorite iris growing companies to drool over lovely images of irises. So much has changed in the last few
years! So today I would like to share a
few of the fine photographs of one of my internet heroes, Brad Collins (Aruba), who
has designed and planted an extraordinary iris garden in Iowa and who liberally
and generously shares his beautiful photographs of irises with the world on AllThings Plants and the Irises Cubit.
'Purple Serenade' c. Brad Collins |
I really love Brad's pictures because he often photographs the whole plant or a clump of irises, which gives me a better idea of what the variety will look like in the garden. For instance, 'Petticoat Shuffle' never would have caught my eye (just another purple plicata) but Brad's clump shot sent me straight to the catalog to place the order.
'Petticoat Shuffle' c. Brad Collins |
Brad became interested in photography through scuba
diving, and when I complimented him on his talent, he dryly noted that taking
pictures of irises is easy compared to trying to capture a three-foot-long fish
moving like lightning 90 feet below water. But I don't think it's easy to get a shot like this:
'There's No Place Like Home' c. Brad Collins |
Brad comes from a long line of iris lovers. It has become a cliché' in this blog, but
once again, it was grandma who started it all.
Brad's father, Michael, also an iris lover and accomplished gardener,
says that when he was a child the whole family would walk over to grandma's
iris garden to eat a hearty breakfast cooked by grandpa over an open fire
outside. The scent of the first iris
each spring brings those memories flooding back, and Michael is proud and happy
that his son Brad caught the iris virus and is continuing the family tradition. The first iris Brad planted in his garden was
'Stepping Out', a gift from his dad, who was given that very iris by his
grandmother in 1975.
'Drinks at Sunset' c. Brad Collins |
Brad has designed several acres of gardens in Iowa. He was inspired to plant his huge curving
beds of irises after a tour of the Pacific northwest iris growers in 2009,
including visits to Mid America, where he fell in love with the way the irises
were set off by the conifers, roses, and small trees. With advice and help from Paul Black, he set
about creating his own Eden. Many of his
spectacular clump shots are taken in his own back yard. He grows over 500 varieties of irises, mostly
newer introductions from Paul Black, Thomas Johnson, Joe Ghio, Barry Blyth, and
Keith Keppel, but many from other hybridizers as well.
Brad's garden featuring rare conifers |
Year-round interest |
Over 500 varieties of irises |
Brad says "one of the things I enjoyed from visiting
the commercial gardens on the west coast was the seedling beds, and finding
something brand new in those gardens every day that I had never seen before. It
was a lot of fun- I think I walked all of Schreiner's 200 acres in those few
days and made numerous stops at Mid America and Keppel’s, and I really enjoyed seeing all the new colors
and patterns. So I decided to try and
make some crosses at home just to see if I could get some pods. The result was
better than I had hoped and I came up with almost 40 crosses." Over 800 plants are growing, and this year he
planted 3,000 seeds. Thank goodness his
kind neighbors own a commercial garden, and they have given over part of a
greenhouse for his use. He'll need his
own greenhouse soon!
Brad's Seedlings lined out |
Brad has scheduled a trip to California this spring: he will be visiting Napa Country Iris, Joe Ghio's gardens in
Monterey, and Superstition Iris Gardens this April. I look forward to sharing his experience
through his generosity with his time and talent and the wonders of the internet. To hold you over until then, here are a few more of his wonderful clump shots.
'Catwalk Queen' c. Brad Collins |
'Sweetly Sung' c. Brad Collins |
'Romantic Gentleman' c. Brad Collins |
Which photo will send you straight to the order forms? Let us know below.
Labels:
Brad Collins,
display clumps,
iris clump,
iris companion plants,
iris photographs,
Renee Fraser
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Sports of Honorabile & the Iris that Lost Its Name
By Mike Unser
In 2007 Clarence Mahan published a wonderful book titled Classic Irises and the Men and Women Who Created Them which contained a chapter about the Iris that lost its name - 'Sans Souci'. According to Mr. Mahan's thorough research what is commonly growing all over the US as 'Honorabile' is not; its really 'Sans Souci'. Click on the photos to embiggen.
The mixing of names for these two started very early on and were known to be confused when the 1929 Checklist was published. Given the similarity it is easy to see why this error came about. The real 'Honorabile' should have a solid red fall, not a thin layer washed across the yellow, as 'Sans Souci' displays. I've been unable to locate the real 'Honorabile', tho I have collected several of its sports. A sport is a vegetative mutation that is quite rare in irises, but Sans Souci and its brethren are well known for this trait, occasionally growing a new rhizome identical in all ways but color pattern. Here's a few that have been named and introduced over the years:
In 2008 a stalk on my clump of 'Joseph's Coat Katkamier' put out flowers in a most interesting pattern - each terminal bloom was perfectly split in half between the typical 'JCK' pattern and the 'Sans Souci' pattern, with buds on the right side branches being perfect 'SS' and buds on the left branches being perfect 'JCK' blooms.
Surprisingly it did this again on a stalk in 2009. I plan to separate it out this summer and see if it remains stable. I've also heard mention from other collectors of a sport that lost all its yellow pigment and is a perfect amoena, and another that lost all its pigments and was solid ivory.
This is a fun family of iris varieties, and being Miniature Tall Beardeds they don't take up much room in the garden. I highly recommend them as excellent garden plants and they are well known for their hardiness and vigor. The AIS Bulletin published Clarance Mahan's synopsis of his book's chapter on Honorabile and Sans Souci in the 2006 issue #341, which is reprinted here , and there's excellent information on the known sports in an article from ROOTS by noted expert Jean Witt which is also at HIPS' website
In 2007 Clarence Mahan published a wonderful book titled Classic Irises and the Men and Women Who Created Them which contained a chapter about the Iris that lost its name - 'Sans Souci'. According to Mr. Mahan's thorough research what is commonly growing all over the US as 'Honorabile' is not; its really 'Sans Souci'. Click on the photos to embiggen.
The mixing of names for these two started very early on and were known to be confused when the 1929 Checklist was published. Given the similarity it is easy to see why this error came about. The real 'Honorabile' should have a solid red fall, not a thin layer washed across the yellow, as 'Sans Souci' displays. I've been unable to locate the real 'Honorabile', tho I have collected several of its sports. A sport is a vegetative mutation that is quite rare in irises, but Sans Souci and its brethren are well known for this trait, occasionally growing a new rhizome identical in all ways but color pattern. Here's a few that have been named and introduced over the years:
In 2008 a stalk on my clump of 'Joseph's Coat Katkamier' put out flowers in a most interesting pattern - each terminal bloom was perfectly split in half between the typical 'JCK' pattern and the 'Sans Souci' pattern, with buds on the right side branches being perfect 'SS' and buds on the left branches being perfect 'JCK' blooms.
Surprisingly it did this again on a stalk in 2009. I plan to separate it out this summer and see if it remains stable. I've also heard mention from other collectors of a sport that lost all its yellow pigment and is a perfect amoena, and another that lost all its pigments and was solid ivory.
This is a fun family of iris varieties, and being Miniature Tall Beardeds they don't take up much room in the garden. I highly recommend them as excellent garden plants and they are well known for their hardiness and vigor. The AIS Bulletin published Clarance Mahan's synopsis of his book's chapter on Honorabile and Sans Souci in the 2006 issue #341, which is reprinted here , and there's excellent information on the known sports in an article from ROOTS by noted expert Jean Witt which is also at HIPS' website
Labels:
Clarence Mahan,
historic iris,
Honorabile,
iris photos,
MIke Unser
Monday, February 24, 2014
Strong Reblooming Irises Hybridized by Sterling Innerst-2
by Betty Wilkerson
Over and Over
What can I say about 'Over and Over?' In my zone 6b garden, nothing is as dependable for rebloom. In a good year I will get multiple stalks of 'Over and Over' from July through the first hard fall freeze. Although it must be planted in a new bed or fertilized to bloom this well, in an old bed that hasn't been fertilized for a couple of years it will still put up a few stalks. (First picture is not mine. It was sent by another grower, but I've forgotten just who. Sorry!)
'Over and Over' (Innerst 2001) |
'Star Gate' (Wilkerson 2005) 'Over and Over' (Innerst 2001) |
'Over and Over' (Innerst 2001) |
What is the value of 'Over and Over' in our breeding programs? It should be a good breeder for rebloom. Although it not happen instantly, I believe that with a large measure of patience, and a few generations of both outbreeding and inbreeding, it will give us a path to tall, well-branched rebloomers with good substance in the colder climates.
For those of you who are not genetic experts, it is important to know that plicatas like 'Over and Over' crossed to other plicatas will give more plicatas. There will be occasional selfs (solid colored irises), but most will be similiar to 'Over and Over.' A plicata crossed to a self can give selfs, bitones, or variegatas (irises with yellow standards and red falls). Color must exist in the genetic family to be produced in the children, so my guess is that variegatas will be rare in these crosses.
For those of you who are not genetic experts, it is important to know that plicatas like 'Over and Over' crossed to other plicatas will give more plicatas. There will be occasional selfs (solid colored irises), but most will be similiar to 'Over and Over.' A plicata crossed to a self can give selfs, bitones, or variegatas (irises with yellow standards and red falls). Color must exist in the genetic family to be produced in the children, so my guess is that variegatas will be rare in these crosses.
I've had one reblooming seedling from a cross of one of my older, but weaker, rebloomers by 'Over and Over', and there are several more crosses in the seedling beds that contain 'Over and Over.' Stay tuned for the results. Even better, try some crosses of your own with 'Over and Over!' Have fun!
Friday, February 21, 2014
IRISES, the Bulletin of the AIS - January/February 2014 Edition
By Andi Rivarola
Apologies for the lateness of this review; we plan, and plan
some more, and then one gets a cold. I don’t know about you, but all I can do
when I get a cold is... rest, do nothing, and then rest some more. So, even
though I had everything necessary to share this post with you about the new issue
of IRISES, well it just did not happen.
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of ex-AIS President Clarence E. Mahan, but with the
sadness comes the joy of knowing that the winter edition of IRISES has been
dedicated to his memory. A section called “Remembering Clarence Everett Mahan” starts
with a touching obituary by AIS’s President, Jim Morris; and it ends
with the testimonials of several friends from around the world that you will
find to be both enlightening and heartwarming. I didn't know Mr. Mahan well, and only had brief communications via Facebook (yes, we were FB friends) and email. Once, he even wrote to tell me how brave I was to face the social media challenges of the society. I appreciated his gentle compliment
Some of the great topics on this issue:
Riley Probst, the AIS Symposium Chair, gives us a historic
review of the AIS Tall Bearded Iris Symposium. Who doesn't want to know how the
TOP 100 Tall Bearded Irises list got started, and what are the current stats on
TBs around the country? A very educational read.
Going to Déjà vu Dallas 2014? Hope that you are, but even if you are not please read Bonnie Nichols formal invitation to the National Convention. Located in the Dallas area and the site of the 2013 Convention, the gardens are interesting and well presented with beautiful irises, so we're wishing for a wonderful repeat. A convention registration form and the convention schedule are also included. For updates and more information about the Convention visit their website at: http://www.irises-dallas.org
If you don’t know Robert PiÄ…tek you will have a change to meet him on an article called, Iris Hybridizer and Author from Poland. From his early beginnings as a forester in the District Zawadzkie National Forest, Poland, to his current work hybridizing irises, you will be enchanted to make his acquaintance even if on paper. Don’t miss the beautiful iris pictures that accompany his introduction to the American public.
A fascinating write up about little irises may also catch your attention. The article called “Small is Beautiful” by Charlie Carver from Orcas Island, Washington.
Don't miss The Winners of the 2013 AIS Photo Contest will also surprise you with their quality, and their display size, which this year is extra large. Check them out and you’ll know what I mean.
Other wonderful articles include:
- The 2013 Honorary Awards Recipients
- Herbicide Studies: Weed Control in Irises, by
John E. Kaufmann
- New Emeritus Judges Announced
- AIS Display Gardens: What are they? By Bob Pries
- Iris Color Terminology: Luminatas, by our own
Rene Fraser
- Winners of the 2013 AIS Photo Contest
- Sections Happenings, by Gary White
- And much, much more…
For those new to The American Iris Society, as a member you receive the printed quarterly edition of IRISES via mail, or if you are an e-member, then you will be able to read the entire publication online. The latter is a very convenient option for overseas iris enthusiasts. For more information, please go to our website's membership information section.
(The printed edition is in the hands of the Post Office, some members included myself have already received it; the e-version is ready for view at its normal location online.)
Labels:
AIS publication,
Bulletin,
iris photos,
iris publication
Monday, February 17, 2014
Pretty Pacificas
By Mike Unser
One of the best things about gardening on the west coast of the U.S. is being able to grow Pacific Coast Irises. These are awesome flowers that come in an array of shapes and sizes naturally, and hybridizers here have created even more variety and range from the numerous species found up and down the coastline. While we wait patiently for spring to bring them around again I thought I'd share a few photos of some of my favorites that I have grown.
This first photo of a clump of yellow in full, riotous bloom is one of my best PCI photos. This seedling was one of the most vigorous and floriferous I have ever grown. It was also one of the earliest PCis to come to flower, extending the season a bit.
One of the best things about gardening on the west coast of the U.S. is being able to grow Pacific Coast Irises. These are awesome flowers that come in an array of shapes and sizes naturally, and hybridizers here have created even more variety and range from the numerous species found up and down the coastline. While we wait patiently for spring to bring them around again I thought I'd share a few photos of some of my favorites that I have grown.
This first photo of a clump of yellow in full, riotous bloom is one of my best PCI photos. This seedling was one of the most vigorous and floriferous I have ever grown. It was also one of the earliest PCis to come to flower, extending the season a bit.
Next up is a charming shot of I. douglasiana. This variety is native to Thurston County, WA, though this specific color no longer grows wild here, as the area where it was collected has been developed for decades. Lavender and white versions can be found in the south of the county along the interstate, but as far as I know, this orchid pink is only in gardens now.
I did not grow many named varieties, as they aren't easy to come by, don't ship and transplant well, and grow so easy from seed. I did have this lovely variety though-'For Ruth' (Roy Davidson, 1979). Just look a the wonderful colors as it lights up in the morning sun. Just perfect.
Another named variety, 'Native Jewel' (Weaver, 1972), shows off the lavender side of the rainbow. This one was well liked for its very upright stems, a trait sometimes lacking in PCIs, which often do like to arc out wide.
I love this photo of 'Poppy' (Edinger/Patterson, 1983). The flower is lovely with wide round petals and a clean clear soft yellow tone, but I also appreciated the beauty of the buds rising together, so I went for this side shot when the opportunity presented.
I'll leave you with a seedling I got at a local plant swap. I am head over heels for the cream and lavender colors on this one. And isn't it pretty with the omphaloides?
I hope you've enjoyed these photos, and if you live in an area with a dry summer- mild winter climate try growing some PCIs in your garden. Seed is readily available from the SIGNA seed exchange each year.
Monday, February 10, 2014
Iris brevicaulis the Short Stemmed Iris
by Jim Murrain
Iris brevicaulis is a Louisiana Iris species. It was first described from a plant found in Jackson County, Missouri on June 6, 1897. It still grows in the same location. That specimen is considered the 'type' or what all descriptions of this Iris are based upon. It was described and named Iris foliosa, the leafy Iris. Iris brevicaulis had previously been named, but the description was changed to match I. foliosa and the currently accepted name is Iris brevicaulis, the short stemmed Iris.
Above and below: I. brevicaulis from the 'type' location in Missouri.
I. brevicaulis is the hardiest and most wide ranging of the Louisiana irises. It has been found from Leavenworth, Kansas all the way to the northeast shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada, as far southwest as The Big Thicket of east Texas and southeast into the Florida Panhandle.
Below is one from Alabama.
Oh course, as with all Louisiana irises (and the reason for the descriptive name) the greatest concentrations are found in and near the bayous of south Louisiana. I. brevicaulis, however, prefers it drier than the other members of its group and is found above the riverbanks and in moist fields.
A purple and a dark blue found in Arkansas.
It readily hybridizes with the other Louisiana Iris species and imparts greater hardiness and a lessened need for wet conditions, so it should be used even more in hybridization.
Below is an interesting color form, named 'Finders Keepers', selected by Frank Chowning and registered in 1961. There is still much of interest in the straight species and they are worth growing on their own merits.
There is also a registered 'All Falls' with six falls and no standards that I would love to see, and several selections of white flowered forms.
Iris brevicaulis is the easiest of all Louisiana Iris species to grow and the latest to flower, thus a fine season extender. Consider adding this iris to your garden.
Labels:
brevicaulis,
Finders Keepers,
foliosa,
iris,
Jackson County,
Jim Murrain,
Louisiana,
Missouri,
species
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