New Iris Intros and Your AIS Local

It's that time of year.  Waiting for catalogs to arrive is being replaced by the online reveals of new iris introductions. Own of my favorite growers (Mid-America) is rolling out their 2015 intros via Facebook.  Click on the photo os the intro below to go the Facebook page

'Join In' SDB Black 2015

Recently I started reconstructing my photos following a hard drive crash. While my interest in iris is old, my serious attempts to grow them started about 10 years ago.  Like a kid in the candy shop, I planted many rhizomes.  Then I planted many more. I became obsessive and took on Smaug-like qualities.

Thanks to my friends at the Greater Rochester Iris Society (GRIS), my tastes are beginning to mature.  I read more carefully about growth habit and realize that with some limited space I need to make choices.

The MDB above is lovely, but not particularly unique.  The photo of the clump interests me more. If 'Join In' performs like this in upstate New York, it would make a great addition to any garden.  That's a big "if" and the only way to find out is to try it, or find someone who grows it in similar climate and soil.  That's the fun of growing and sharing successes and failures.  An American Iris Society (AIS) local chapter can facilitate this and be fun as well.

Neil Houghton

Featured Iris: Flash of Light

If any iris screams, "Thomas Johnson!" this is it.  Deep blue falls with the 'Flash of Light' from the center are crowned by bright yellow beards.  The radiating lines are striking and the white standards are kissed with a powder blue cast.

Blooming at 33" around June 7 in my garden two years after planting a rhizome from Mid-American, 'Flash of Light' is not subtle.

From Mid-America's website:

(T.Johnson '08) From the centers of dark blue falls comes a blazing flash of white light. Ruffled white standards have just a hint of blue around them. Dark violet-blue falls shade inward to dazzling white sunbursts illuminated by bright gold yellow beards. Super show branching and double budded sockets in a color & pattern normally shy of buds. Makes very showy clumps. Vigorous healthy growth. Late 36” (91cm) Sdlg. TX49B: Snowed In X Queen’s Circle 

 

Not Another One of Those! 'Ink Patterns'

There seems to be a plethora of white irises banded in blue/purple.  When my friend, David, said, "I love 'Ink Patterns' I thought, not another one of those.

I planted a rhizome from Mid-America in 2012 and this year it bloomed for the first time. With all the variations on this theme including Dykes winners, 'Jesse's Song' and 'Stepping Out' this holds its own.

'Ink Patterns' photographed toward the red in this shot.

The plicata is heavily stitched and almost blue.  The heavy substance, lovely flower form and bloom production make it a garden stand-out.  It blooms on a solid stalk and with a little grooming I can imagine it showing well.

I also like the fact that the edging on the standards match those on he falls.

Mid America says of this 2007 introduction by Thomas Johnson:

Exuberantly ruffled white flowers have indelible inky blue stitched plicata bands around falls. Standards have wide washed and stitched plicata bands with dotting inside them and lines up midribs. Styles are wonderfully contrasted, inky, dark indigo. A clump of INK PATTERNS in the garden is unforgettable. It is sure to catch the judge's eye at shows.
36" (91 cm) Sdlg. TW81B: American Classic X Royal Estate

Here it is with 'Good Life' a 2010 Paul Black introduction.  The magenta-violet and blue-violet of these two work very well together. 'Good Life' was also planted in 2012 and bloomed this year for the first time.

 Good Life is not just another one of those, either!

Featured Iris: Outer Edge

Purchased in 2012 'Outer Edge' grew well last year, but did not bloom.  Lots of increase paid off this year!

Evening light pulls out the rose in what appears as a deep violet. This 2011 Intro by Paul Black is 23" IB.  Mid-America describes this cultivar:

Upright grape juice purple standards reveal red plum styles. Very round, palest pink white falls have dark red purple hafts changing to grape juice purple plicata bands. Short purple veins and sanding flank mid burnt orange beards ending in violet.

Here a clump of year two after planting a single rhizomes, shows 'Outer Edge' as great garden plant.  Some fine show stalks are in there.  It started blooming May 17 this year, peaked May 24 and bloomed until May 28.

photos (c) 2014 Neil Houghton.  Please use freely with attribution.

Before the Almost Frost 5-12-13

 

On Sunday morning, before I had to drive to Albany, I took to the garden to dig plant and record the state of things.  A frost was threatening for that night and the next.  Happily we bottom out at 33º and all is well.

This is a panoramic shot of most of my iris beds:

Note the in the front center SDB 'Jennyandots' had just opened and nearby were others that were about to bloom (Bed D-3) and directly behind that one of what I believe to be 'Immortality,' an early white TB  is open.

'Jennyanydots' is toward the top limits of of standard dwarf bearded in height (15"). This bloom and more budding is from a new rhizome form Mid-America planted last year.  This 2011 introduction by Paul Black is delightful.

Another Mid-America SDB is is Thomas Johnson's 'Star of India.'  The aptly named 2011 introduction is substantially shorter, less than 10".

Paul Black 2013 Introduced Medians

When it comes to new introduction this year, Paul Black takes the cake.  By my count there are a total of 43 introductions.  Here are his 27 median introductions (though I think that MDBs are really not medians by definition. If they are the medians are really not in the middle of anything!)

I've heard comments that there are just too many new intros.  Not sure how I feel about that.  The MTBs Huggable You and Lilac Wings are a just too retro. Don't seem to be breaking any new ground.  My faves are at the end.

'Beetlejiuce' (MDB P.Black 2013)

BEETLEJUICE
(Black ‘13) MDB Early-Midseason-Rebloom 7.5” (19cm) Totally cute with its dark purple kitty whiskers. Favorite with garden visitors. Sdlg. Q80F: Chart X Kaching

'Beyond The Sky' (SDB P.Black 2013)

BEYOND THE SKY
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 13” (33cm) Fabulous clumps of lovely mid blue flowers with wine red fall spots. Sdlg. R221A: Devoted X He’s so Shy sib

'Black Olive' (MDB P.Black 2013)

BLACK OLIVE
(Black ‘13) MDB Late-Rebloom 7.5” (19cm) Super vigorous. Beards give it pizzazz. Sdlg. R278E: Fido sib X (Wish Upon a Star x Bad Intentions)

'Blazing Gold' (SDB P.Black 2013)

BLAZING GOLD
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Very Late 15” (38cm) What can I say - THE BEARDS! Subtle minimal plicata. Sdlg. R255B: (Brash x Pink Frosting) X Clever

'Come And Get It' (SDB P.Black 2013)

COME AND GET IT
(Black ‘13) Early-Midseason 10” (25cm) Bright orange beards are front and center on strongly flared falls. Clumps demand your attention. Sdlg. R231B: (Involved seedlings x Breezy Blue) X Clever

'Crack Me Up' (SDB P.Black 2013)

CRACK ME UP
(Black ‘13) SDB Early-Midseason 11” (28cm) Fantastic color and pattern coming from Banded Tiger. Sdlg. R249B: (Hugs x Skimbleshanks) X Banded Tiger

'Desert Snow' (AB OGB- P.Black 2013)

DESERT SNOW
(Black ‘13) AB OGB- arilbred-median Midseason-Late 25” (63cm) Easy and strong growth. One branch & 3-4 buds. Sdlg. R159B: Lancer X Open Your Eye

'Dog and Pony Show' (IB P.Black 2013)

DOG AND PONY SHOW
(Black ‘13) IB Midseason-Late 27” (69cm) Fabulous form & color. Show stalks have 2 branches plus spur & 6-8 buds. Fertile. Sdlg. R202A: (High Master x (Key to Success x self)) X Love Spell

'Easter Party' (MTB P.Black 2013)

EASTER PARTY
(Black ‘13) tetraploid MTB Early-Midseason 26” (66cm). Myriad of creamy orange flowers. Strong garden impact. Sdlg. S198A Cheerful Doll X Sun Spirit

'Blazing Gold' (SDB P.Black 2013)

EXCLAIM
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 14” (36cm) Clean smooth colors make this a standout. Eye-popping clumps. Sdlg. R269E: Pawn X (Chemistry x Doozey)

'Fun In the Sun' (SDB P.Black 2013)

FUN IN THE SUN
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 14” (36cm) Blindingly bright glaciata. Yellow fall spot has a metallic sheen I can’t capture in a picture. Sdlg. R300A: (Ghost Ship x Ghost Ship sib) X Total Denial sib

'Gag Gift' (SDB P.Black 2013)

GAG GIFT
SDB Midseason-Late 15.75” (41cm) Unique color & pattern. Interesting IB X SDB parentage. Sdlg. R172C: Intoxicating X (Branded sib x Artful)

'Gift of Gab' (SDB P.Black 2013)

GIFT OF GAB
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 12” (30cm) Lovely form, color, pattern and clumps. Sdlg. Q84A: Ghost Ship X (Hugs x Skimbleshanks)

'Glitzorama' (BB P.Black 2013)

GLITZORAMA
(Black ‘13) BB Early-Midseason 25” (63cm) Neat color and pattern. Note gold bands around standards. Half plicata parentage. Should be nice parent for medians. Sdlg. R163A: High Master X Inspired sib 

'Going In Circles' (SDB P.Black 2013)

GOING IN CIRCLES
(Black ‘13) SDB Early-Midseason 13” (33cm) Fabulous unique color. Very red spot. Much admired by garden visitors.Sdlg. R269D: Exclaim sib

'Blazing Gold' (BB P.Black 2013)

GRACE AND CHARM
(Black ‘13) BB Midseason-Late 27” (69cm) Two branches + spur & 8-9 buds. Superb parent for hot pinks and reverse bicolors. Fertile. Sdlg. R176C: Always Lovely X (Dolce x Pink Flyaway)

'Graceful' (SDB P.Black 2013)

GRACEFUL
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 15” (38cm) Totally unique yellow & pink bicolor glaciata. YES! Sdlg. R260A: (Trust in Dreams x Honey Bunny) X (Brash x Pink Frosting)

'Blazing Gold' (SDB P.Black 2013)

GREEN OASIS
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 13” (33cm) One of the cleanest of blue & green combinations. Weather affects clarity of color. Much admired. Sdlg. Q36A: Lab pollen parent X (Dime x (Panther x Toddler))

'Huggable You' (MTB P.Black 2013)

HUGGABLE YOU
(Black ‘13) diploid MTB Midseason-Very Late 25” (63cm) Expansive clumps filled with stalks and bloom. Sdlg. S228B: Bach Fugue X Performer

'Lilac Wings' (SDB P.Black 2013)

LILAC WINGS
(Black ‘13) diploid or mixed MTB Midseason-Late 22” (56cm) Tangerine beards are the perfect accent. Sdlg. S226A: Ah Yes X Wistful Wisteria

'Lovable Pink' (SDB P.Black 2013)

LOVABLE PINK
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 12” (30cm) Yummy color and beautiful ruffled form. Coral pink beards. Very subtle plicata. Sdlg. R273A: Involved Pussycat Pink seedlings X Love Spell

'Matador's Cape' (SDB P.Black 2013)

MATADOR'S CAPE
(Black ‘13) SDB Midseason-Very Late 13” (33cm) Vibrant completely saturated dark orange beards! Makes clumps you won’t soon forget. Sdlg. R264E: Delayed Development X He’s So Shy sib 

'My Cher of Happiness' (BB P.Black 2013)

MY CHER OF HAPPINESS
(Black ‘13) BB Midseason-Late 27” (69cm) Gorgeous form. Show stalks with 3 branches and 8-9 buds. Sdlg. R189A: (Lipstick Kiss x (Queen Anne’s Lace x Larue Boswell)) X Always Lovely

'No Restraint' (IB P.Black 2013)

NO RESTRAINT
(Black ‘13) IB Early-Midseason 25” (63cm) Color you can’t ignore. What a beard! Nicely branched stalks. Strong growth. Sdlg. R210A: Pawn X Starring

'On A Whim' (SDB P.Black 2013)

ON A WHIM

(Black ‘13) SDB Early-Midseason 11” (28cm) It’s all about being cute. Must be seen in clump to appreciate it. Sdlg. R286C: (Dollop of Cream sib x Stormy Circle) X (Sequel x He’s so Shy pollen parent)

'Rain In Spain' (SDB P.Black 2013)

RAIN IN SPAIN
(Black ‘13) SDB Early-Midseason 15.5” (39cm) Clear light blue & white plicata. Superb form. Great clumps. Sdlg. R284A: Graph X Total Denial sib

'Rustler's Phapsody' (BB P.Black 2013)

RUSTLER'S RHAPSODY
(Black ‘13) BB Early-Midseason 25” (63cm) Bright & bold color! Show stalks have 3 branches & 7-9 buds. Demonstrates the versatility of Here We Go as a parent. Fertile both ways. Strong clean growth. Sdlg. R186A: Here We Go X Wild

Rain In Spain SDB is just the blue I love, but Fun In The Sun is my pick for an SDB with a wonderful form and color. Glitzorama is a so showy and I am a sucker for that, but I have to say it's the worst name since 'Splashacata.'  Of course all of this is based on photos...

 

Thomas Johnson 2013 Introduced Medians

The medians for 2013 number nine.  My favorites at the end of this post.

'Ambitious One' (SDB T.Johnson 2013)

AMBITIOUS ONE
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB Early 12” (30cm) Lovely pastel plicata. Excellent foil for bolder more colorful irises. Strong growth. Sdlg. TC232A: Chart X Banded Tiger

'Beckoning' (SDB T.Johnson 2013)

BECKONING
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB Midseason 15” (38cm) Those big yellow beards will beckon you from across the yard. Makes a startling clump that can’t be ignored. Sdlg. TC269D: Pulsator X Film Star sib

'Code Of Honor' (IB T.Johnson 2013) 

CODE OF HONOR
(T.Johnson ‘13) IB Midseason 25” (63cm) Strong growth creates clumps filled with bloom. Beautiful form one would expect from Bluebeard’s Ghost. Sdlg. TB91A: Bluebeard’s Ghost X Mythology

'Cotillion Ball' (MTB T.Johnson 2013)

COTILLION BALL
(T.Johnson ‘13) tetraploid MTB Early 26” (66cm) Loads of these pretty little peach flowers on well-proportioned stalks. Excellent parentage. Sdlg. TC69B: Tic Tac Toe X Bundle of Love

'Dubai' (AB OGB+ T.Johnson 2013)

DUBAI

(T.Johnson ‘13) AB OGB+ Early-Midseason 33” (84cm) Beautiful aril characteristics including recurved falls, big red black signal spots and diffuse beards. Spectacular. Sdlg. TC229A: Lancer X Energizer

'Fashion Baby'

FASHION BABY
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB Midseason-Late 13” (33cm) Lovely form, lovely color, what’s not to like? Destined to be very popular. Sdlg. TC248A: Warm and Fuzzy X First Dance

'Ping' (SDB T.Johnson 2013)

PING
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB Midseason 12” (30cm) Lovely compact form. An amazing beard shines like a beacon. Sdlg. TC243B: (Pulsator x Bright Flash) 

'Short Film' (SDB T.Johnson 2013)

SHORT FILM
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB Early-Midseason 13” (33cm) Very pretty & unique plicata. Clumps herald the return of spring. Sdlg. TC232E: Chart X Banded Tiger

'Thump' (SDB T.Johnson 2013)

THUMP
(T.Johnson ‘13) SDB 14” (36cm) Super wide falls. Subtle pastel that blends well with stronger colors. Sdlg. TC264A: Capiche X (Devoted x Clever)

And now, my favorites:
Dubai is a striking Arilbred.  I have one AB in my garden.  We'll see how that goes before I try another.  The SDB Fashion Baby is a real charmer.  The blushed falls are charming.  My favorite is Code Of Honor. I was so impressed by a group of 'Wild' another IB when I visited Mid-America that I can see this like blue sky next to the orange sun of 'Wild'.