Those other Siberians

By Bob Hollingworth 

Did you know that there are two main groups of Siberian Irises? There are the beloved Siberians that most of us have in our gardens, which, in nature, have 28 chromosomes. These are the ones most people recognize as "Siberian irises".  But there is second group that has 40 chromosomes that is less well  known. These are sometimes called Sino-siberians since they come from the mountains of southwest China and adjacent areas over into the Himalayas.

I. forrestii

  Since the chromosome numbers don't match well, hybrids between the two groups (subseries) are uncommon, though a few are known. The most familiar is probably 'Foretell' (McGarvey 1970). I'm not aware of any other that has been registered since then, so this inter-subseries cross has not been a very fertile area for hybridizers (although speaking of fertility, surprisingly, 'Foretell' is modestly fertile with the 28 chromosome group).

I. chrysographes (black form)

     The 40 chromosome group have some affinity with the Pacific Coast irises which also have 40 chromosomes, and a number of crosses between these (Cal-sibes) have been produced. So far they are sterile unless they are converted to tetraploids.

'Dotted Line' (Reid 1992)

'Bronzy Marvel' (Reid, 1998)

     The number of species in this 40 chromosome group is a bit uncertain but probably runs from 6 to 8, so there is a lot of genetic variability available for hybridizers, and, unlike the 28 chromosome group, there are two natural yellow flowered species - I. forrestii and I. wilsonii. Another member of the group, I chrysographes, may be familiar to many since it has forms that are as near black as irises get.  

Spence seedling 0840-030A

Spence seedling 0640-011E

Spence seedling 0840-024A

     Over time this group has attracted several hybridizers and a variety of beautiful cultivars have been produced. Probably foremost in this regard is Lorena Reid in Oregon with such lovely creations as 'Dotted Line' (1992) and 'Bronzy Marvel' (1998). Others breeders outside the US  include Tomas Tamberg (Germany) and Jennifer Hewitt (UK). However, more recently, the area has fallen on hard times in the US, primarily due to massive losses in hybridizers' gardens from the build up of fungal (phytophthora) problems, and until recently there seemed to be little activity left.
     So, it is good to see the area coming back to life. In particular Patrick Spence is producing new 40 chromosome hybrids at Cascadia Gardens in Washington state. If interested, you might like to check out an article on the 40s by Patrick in the most recent (Fall 2012) The Siberian Iris. Some of his recent seedlings are shown here too.

 'Blue Meadow Fly' (Ahlburg, 1986)

     All the discussion so far has focused on growers in the Pacific Northwest where the climate particularly favors "the 40s". They need a fertile, somewhat acidic soil, year round moisture, some winter cold, and generally a moderate climate. Does this mean they cannot be grown elsewhere in the US? Probably not. Years ago, Currier McEwen grew and hybridized them in Maine as did Bill McGarvey in New York state. We recently acquired one ('Blue Meadow Fly', M. Ahlburg, 1986), found by chance growing at a nursery in Wisconsin, and it has flowered well here in Michigan for the last two years.
     So, if you can provide the requisite conditions and want to try something different, maybe give the 40 chromosome Siberians a try. And, if you like to take the road less traveled as a hybridizer, this is an area of opportunity. My guess is that the genetic potential here has only just started to be tapped.
(Thanks to Margaret Spence for several of the photos used here.) 
  

Favorite REDS for the holidays!

By Renee Fraser

Red is my favorite garden color, and irises are my favorite flowers.  I am smitten with the combination red, green and white, and some day I imagine my entire garden will be these colors.  So I am always on the lookout for new attempts to make red irises.

The pigments that give irises their colors are purple and yellow-gold, so creating red irises poses a challenge.  The New York Times featured this problem in an article (here) on the work being done by hybridizers like the late Richard Ernst in conjunction with Oregon State University to create red irises.

Brick reds, pinkish reds and burgundy/maroons have been mastered by iris hybridizers, even if true scarlet-reds are still down the road.

This photograph, posted last year by Rita on Gardenweb, caused me to go over my self-imposed budget on a single iris rhizome.  Rita gardens on Long Island, focusing on daylilies, roses, and irises.

'Rio Rojo' Photo by Rita 

Red irises are fantastic garden plants- they coordinate perfectly with the red colors of foliage plants.  Brenda Fox also gardens in New York.  She planted an entire bed in reds.  Here is 'Samurai Warrior' in her garden with red barberry.

'Samurai Warrior' Photo by Brenda Fox

Susanne Spicker also gardens with coordinating colors.  Here is one of her favorite reds:

'Play With Fire' Susanne Spicker

Red irises can stand by themselves in a landscape.  This charming garden was captured by Joel Schaber while he was vacationing in Oregon.

  NOID Photo by Joel Schaber

Red amoenas!   Amoenas are my favorite irises, and red is my favorite flower color.  'Ecstatic Echo' did not grow well for me, but it is still my very favorite iris.  The standards are a bit lavendar, and the falls a bit rusty, but it's getting close to a red amoena.

'Ecstatic Echo'

'Ecstatic Echo'

I often see 'Lady Friend' in lists of red irises.  What do you think, red, or dark pink?

'Lady Friend' with 'Frequent Flyer'

Here's 'Dynamite', which was named as a favorite red by numerous people on the Facebook forum Iris Lovers.

'Dynamite' Photo by Susanne Spicker

'Rip City' is an iris I grow in my garden for its landscape value.  It has a long bloom period and a rusty color that goes well with Japanese Blood Grass.

'Rip City'

Other tall bearded favorites listed by iris fans included 'Lest We Forget', a rebloomer, 'Cardinal Rule', 'House Afire', 'Red Skies', 'Smoky Shadows', 'Nebraska Big Red', 'Battle Royale', 'Classic Bordeaux', 'Rogue', and 'Trial By Fire'.


Favorite median irises included the Standard Dwarf Bearded iris 'Exotic Eyes'.

'Exotic Eyes' Joel Schaber

'Redrock Princess' just came in as the first runner up for the Williamson-White Medal for MTB irises.  It is among the favorites of Joel Schaber in his Idaho garden.

'Redrock Princess' Photo by Joel Schaber

Sandra Eggertson, who owns Merlebleu, an iris display garden in Canada, chose Intermediate Bearded Iris 'Red Zinger' as one of her favorites.

'Red Zinger' Photo by Sandra Eggertson

LAs have slightly different chemistry than the bearded irises, so there are some very RED Louisiana irises.  Look at the blazing red color of my favorite, 'Red Echo.'

'Red Echo' Photo by Margie Valenzuela

Here is a lovely shot of of a species iris.

Iris nelsonii

Iris fulva can look very red indeed., or it can appear to be more red-orange.

Iris fulva  Photo by Rodney Barton

Iris fulva  Photo by Rodney Barton

Some day hybridizers will create true red irises, but along the way, they have created many spectacular flowers that are excellent garden plants.

Do you grow red irises in your garden?  I am waiting for the perfect red amoena, and Lucy Burton, an avocational hybridizer, tells me she is working on it in Standard Dwarf Bearded irises.  What kind of a red iris would you like to see in the future?

IRISES article: Graeme Grosvernor's 40th Year Hybridizing

By Andi Rivarola

This is a snapshot of an article published by IRISES, the Bulletin of The American Iris Society, written by John Taylor, on the great Australian hybridizer Graeme Grosvernor.

The October/November 2012 issue of IRISES is excellent, and there are many articles which I am sure you would like very much. For me, this one made an impression, and I hope that you have a chance to read it.  There you will see many more pictures and get the full story.

Mr. Grosvernor is celebrating his 40th year of hybridizing, and in my view, he is the epitome of a dedicated hybridizer.  He tells Mr. Taylor that he knows the complete pedigree and breeding lines of the various irises he works with, and counts as his own preferences for hybridizing purposes the irises of other great hybridizers such as fellow Australian Barry Blyth.  Other favorites include Keith Keppel, Joe Ghio, Paul Black, Tom Johnson and Fred Kerr, outstanding hybridizers here in the US.

Mr. Grosvernor's Garden

Mr. Taylor recounts that the many successes and failures that plagued Mr. Grosvernor would be recognized by many hybridizers and gardeners immediately. Working in the garden often depends on acknowledging that the results will be in the hands and grace of Mother Nature.  Mr. Grosvernor says "nature will decide when a particular flower will bloom."

Mr. Grosvernor is still hybridizing, and recently produced over 10,000 seeds to be planted. He has interests in bicolors, plicatas, amoenas, neglectas and selfs.

Seedling I6-1

As of 2012 Mr. Grosvernor has developed lines in white, blue, pink, apricot, black, yellow and red.  Self colors are a major part of his work. One of his favorite lines has been those developed by using 'Rustle of Spring' as a parent, from which 'Rusty Taylor' (2011/12) was created.

'Rusty Taylor' (2011/12)

I hope this gives you an idea of what you will see if you take a look at the full article. I was impressed by the level of detail Mr. Grosvernor was able to share, and how systematic he is in his work.  In the future, young hybridizers will be able to build on the fantastic work of current hybridizers like Graeme Grosvernor.

AIS members receive (digitally or in print) the quarterly publication, IRISES: the Bulletin of the American Iris Society. Each issue of IRISES provides approximately 65 pages of fresh information on iris culture, an array of color photographs of both old and new irises, and an advertising directory of commercial iris growers located throughout the United States.

For more information on Membership with Society please follow the this link: http://irises.org/About_AIS/Membership_Info/AIS_Membership.html

Drought-Will my irises be ok?

By Jim Hedgecock


It is 60 degrees outside and it is December 4th. That temperature is 20 degrees above normal and on the news this morning, the weather forecaster said 425 cities set new high records yesterday. I don't remember the exact number of states that are affected, but a large number of midwest and southern states are in what appears to be one of the worst, if not the worst, drought ever. Here in northern Missouri, we have had less than 15 inches of rain this year and our normal totals are in the high 30's. There just is not any sign of relief in the near future.

The question we are getting from our customers is, "What can I do for my irises in this drought and will they be okay?" If you have raised irises for any length of time, you know that in most instances, they are pretty resilient and they will do just fine in drought conditions. There are, however, some things you can do to help them make it through this winter and next spring.

If you are growing the bearded irises and spuria irises, and you set out new irises or transplanted some of your own irises, it would be wise to water your new irises a couple of times a month if you are not getting any moisture. We set out irises in late September and again in October and they have had virtually no moisture at this point in time. The irises are not dead, but I hold little hope for any bloom on these irises and I am sure increase will be poor compared to normal years with more moisture. (We don't have a way to water our 14 acres of irises and couldn't afford it if we could.)

My other fear for newly planted irises is heaving. I can walk out in our fields right now and pull up just about any newly planted rhizome. The moisture that we would normally receive would have helped the rhizomes to root better than they have. That sets the rhizomes up for heaving (coming out of the ground)  if you live in a state that has lots of freezes and thaws. A mulch in the fall will stop heaving and it insulates the newly planted rhizomes from the cold. The one drawback is that it also holds moisture. This is a double-edged sword. It will be good for the rhizomes to hold in moisture this winter if there is little rain. But if we get good spring rains, mulch will be a curse if it is not removed when the spring temps reach the 50's or higher because of bacterial and fungal growth.

So what is a good mulch? Straw is excellent. Wheat straw tends to volunteer wheat in your iris beds. I prefer oat straw when I can get it. Oats do not volunteer nearly as bad as wheat. Of course there are other alternatives. I know some people use pine needles and even leaves. The important thing here again is removal when the temps warm up in the spring.

If you are raising water irises, proper moisture is much more critical. We nearly lost a large number of our Louisianas this fall because we got busy and did not keep them watered. Many of the rhizomes had popped right out of the dry soil and were nearly dead. Thankfully, we caught it in time and we added new soil on top of the rhizomes and watered the rhizomes deeply several times and they are looking great.

In closing, I would say the drought will probably affect bloom a bit if more moisture doesn't come our way by spring, but a little extra watering this fall and winter will go a long way toward keeping your irises in good condition.

God Bless you and your gardens and have a great Holiday season.

Jim Hedgecock

Luminatas: Iris Color Terminology

By Renee Fraser


Flowers that glow?    LUMINATA.  A wonderful word and so very descriptive of these irises.  A luminata is a white or yellow flower with color washed over it.  The lighter shade bleeds through, which makes the flower look as though it is lit from within. After amoenas, I am in love with luminatas.  I grow a number of them and they never disappoint.  


My very first order of irises included a luminata, 'New Leaf'.  This iris has been blooming its fool head off for me in Southern California for years and years.  It likes it here so much that it reblooms some years!  

'New Leaf' is extraordinarity photogenic, as are most luminatas.  I may have more pictures of it than I have of my dog.

"New Leaf"  Ghio, 1997

'New Leaf' with Marmalade Skies rose and 'Venetian Queen' in the background

'Moonlit Sea' is a justly famous historic luminata that is still a favorite in the garden.  The colors are particularly lovely, and the long romantically draping falls give it an elegant appearance.

'Moonlit Sea' Sass 1942  Photo by Margie Valenzuela

Two more recent introductions with similar coloration are 'Mindreader' and 'Telepathy'.  Margie Valenzuela, a hybridizer who lives in arid and hot Arizona, says 'Mindreader' does better in her heat.  Here is her photo of it in morning sun.

'Mindreader'  

Here is 'Telepathy'.  I am hoping it will give an impressive display this year, its third year in my garden.  Oddly, in my garden this year it rebloomed beginning in November, although it is not normally a rebloomer.

"Telepathy" Keppel, 2002

'Telepathy' in December

Margie also grows 'Flights of Fancy'.  Look at the healthy leaves and the profusion of blooms!

'Flights of Fancy'  

My most recently acquired luminata is 'Daughter of Stars', a rebloomer.  I don't have this color in my garden.  I didn't want this color in my garden.  But how can one stick to a pre-planned color scheme when faced with this?

"Daughter of Stars" Rebloomer, Spoon, 2001

Some people are under the mistaken impression that luminatas have some sort of a virus which results in their lovely coloration.  This is not the case.  Although viruses can cause broken colored patterns, these lovelies get their patterns from careful hybridization, not from disease, so you do not have to resist them for that reason.

Do you grow luminatas?  How do they do in your garden, and which is your favorite?

Iris Classics: 'Az Ap'

By Mike Unser

For those of you familiar with my 'Iris Classics' posts you may be surprised at this selection. Instead of the usual antique from the dawn of iris history, this week I'd like to highlight an iris that is just barely historic by current standards. In 1980 Allan Esminger introduced his Intermediate Bearded masterpiece 'Az Ap' thru Varigay Gardens, and what a stellar iris it is! It begins blooming with the other IBs at the tail of the SDB season, but it just keeps going, & keeps going, & then puts out still more stalks well into the mid-to-late Tall Bearded season here in my PNW garden.

Averaging 20" here, it is a charming variety with flare and personality in spades. The abundant blooms are a lovely pale blue washed and flecked deeper medium blue with a blue beard, lightly ruffled and heavily diamond dusted. The nicely branched stalks come loaded with multiple buds and a mature clump puts on a phenomenal show over a long period. The foliage is clean, the plant vigorous and reliable of bloom - in every respect it is a great garden plant, and an asset to the iris family.

It has a very involved parentage: 'Charmed Circle' X 73-1: (('Spring Salute' x (('Patience' x Welch N503) x ('Jungle Shadows' x pumila))) x ((('Jungle Shadows' x pumila) x ('Jungle Shadows' x 'Cretica')) x (('Jungle Shadows' x 'Cretica') x Kavan 11-66))). Interesting that it heavily features one of my all time favorites, 'Jungle Shadows'. Such good quality has not gone unrecognized: It won Honorable Mention in 1982; Award of Merit in 1984; and the Sass Medal in 1987.

It catches the sun and reflects back warmth and loveliness in abundance. In my opinion it is one of the very best of its class, and one other IBs should be judged against. If you are looking for impeccable performance along with unparalleled beauty you would be wise to incorporate 'Az Ap' into your garden. It is a classic, without a doubt.

Broken Color: Iris Color Terminology By Mike Unser

Of the many color patterns available in bearded irises perhaps none is so striking as that of the 'broken color' varieties. In color breaking, a genetic instability causes the colors and/or patterns of the iris to express irregularly giving a flower that is splish-splashed in a more or less haphazard fashion. No two blooms are ever just alike, and they can create a very lively and exuberant effect in the flower garden. Visitors that are unfamiliar with them always exclaim over the novelty. I'd like to share with you some of the varieties I have enjoyed over the years.

First up is a very old French variety now called 'Victorine'. It was likely introduced by Lémon back in the 1840s under the name 'Victoire Lemon', named for his mother. The names were later confused and this iris in now grown in the US as 'Victorine'. A charming diploid variety in the amoena pattern with rich purple falls edged white under clean, white standards which are splashed on the inside of the petal with the dark purple of the falls. Very striking.

Another classic from the earliest days of iris hybridizing is one of the most widely known and grown: 'Loreley' by the German firm Goos & Koenemann, introduced in 1909. This is a very tough and hardy iris, and is widely grown as it can thrive just fine in neglected situations. Not the prettiest for form, it is nevertheless treasured for its beautiful colors. The falls are purple veined white and edged golden yellow, while the golden yellow standards are wide open and flecked with bits of the fall pattern - not just the purple, but the white striping too! Very unusual.

Next up are two varieties introduced by A.B. Katkamier. Both are sports in the 'Honorabile' family. This family of sports is widely known for its breaking of color and pattern. The novelty has made them very popular with collectors, who are always on the lookout for a new sport to appear in their beds. First up is 'Kaleidoscope' from 1929. A beguiling Miniature Tall Bearded flower with deep golden standards over lighter yellow falls that are splashed with shards of red and white.

'Joseph's Coat Katkamier' is a merry madcap of color with white, yellow, violet and red all appearing across the bloom in irregular profusion. This one was introduced in 1930, but was not officially registered until 1989. I think a clump of this in bloom adds a very whimsical note to the garden. You can learn more about this family in Jean Witt's article Notes on Honorabile, along with an excellent follow-up by Clarence Mahan on the HIPS website.

In 1956 Edward Watkins registered 'Corsage', his new variety that had been introduced the year before by Tell Muhlstein. A frothy confection of white and lemon yellow haphazardly arranged so that no two blooms are alike. It's lovely grown in a bed with pastel pinks and blues.

Another variety in almost the same color tones is 'Buttered Popcorn' (Palmer, 1970). This time the large ruffled blooms are creamy white drizzled with a soft, buttery yellow all about the standards and falls in a subtle drip-like pattern. The name could not be more perfect.

'Minnesota Mixed-up Kid' is a charming Border Bearded variety that has been known and grown since the early 1970's, tho it was not officially registered until 2003. It always makes me think of birthday parties with its lively coloration. A cream toned bloom deepening to golden yellow at the heart and speckled liberally with fuchsia freckles. An excellent grower and reliable bloomer, it elicits attention from every visitor.

In 1986 Allan Esminger introduced his new creation which went on to win award after award culminating in the Knowlton Medal in 1992. It is perhaps the best known broken color iris around today and is extremely popular with the gardening public. Big ruffled flowers are grounded white and heavily lined with royal purple. An excellent grower and bloomer, it is also known to occasionally sport a plicata bloom or two. In this pic you can see one of the standards and part of a fall are showing white edged purple.

'Batik's' awards and acclaim inspired others to start hybridizing for this broken color trait and in the 1990's Brad Kasperek began selling new varieties of his creation out of his aptly named Zebra Gardens, in Utah. Using a combination of eye catching flowers and creative names he really made a mark on the iris world and established this pattern as a real presence in bearded irises. One of my favorites of Brad's is 1993's 'Tiger Honey'. A beautifully tailored flower of honey-gold striped lighter gold and cream white. I don't grow many modern irises but I'll always make room for this and the following two Kasperek varieties.

The amusingly named 'Baboon Bottom' is an Intermediate Bearded iris of Brad's from 1994. An old rose pink striped and splashed light pink and white, it has not been the best grower for me in the cold and wet PNW but it manages to show off for me every few years and is always welcome when it does. It won the Knowlton Medal in 2002.

I'll leave you with two photos of my favorite of all the broken color irises I grow: 'Bewilderbeast', from 1995. An extravagant flower with falls of cream white ground and yellow shoulders all heavily striped with a rich deep mauve; silvery white standards are striped lighter mauve. A reliable bloomer and excellent grower, a clump of this is easy to achieve and stunning in full bloom. I would love to have seen this one win the Dyke's Medal.

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into a few of the varieties showing the unstable genes now known as the Broken Color pattern. Maybe you'll add a few to your garden, or share the ones you're growing now on our Facebook page. If you're looking for more on historic irises please visit the HIPS website. The latest edition of our eZine Flags is now available for download.