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.

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...

 

2013 TB Iris Introductions by Paul Black (and Thomas Johnson link)

I've posted the 2013 Tall Bearded Intros from Thomas Johnson (and just updated that with the 2013 catalog descriptions).  Now here are the 2013 Tall Bearded Iris Introductions by Paul Black and their catalog descriptions.

'After the Rain' (TB Black 2013)

AFTER THE RAIN
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 36” (91cm) The road to a white iris with dark blue beard has been long and elusive. Luckily this work has been rewarded with other outstanding irises along the way. After the Rain is one of those. Amply ruffled and strongly flared milk glass white blooms have standards blushed light violet up midribs. Show stalks have 3 branches and 8-10 buds. Clean, healthy growth. Heavy substance. Sdlg. R31A: Simply Sensational X Blue Trill

'All Ashore' (TB Black 2013)

ALL ASHORE
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 34” (86cm) Strong, classically formed and heavily ruffled flowers make All Ashore a standout in any garden. Robust, healthy plants with clean foliage produce show stalks having 2 branches plus spur and carrying 7-9 buds. Heavy substance assures long lasting bloom. Sweet perfume. Excellent parentage. It is an iris you will return to again and again. Sdlg. R21A: In Living Color X (Louisa’s Song x Sea Power)

'Bashful Princess' (TB Black 2013)

BASHFUL PRINCESS
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 34” (86cm) Such a demure being should be given a special place in the garden. White standards have pink bases turning to pink veins over centers. Dusky rose hafts and veins are overlaid on cream tan falls. Make note of the peach styles. Soft tangerine coral beards are a nice and fitting accent. Three branches have 8-10 buds. Sweet fragrance. Sdlg. R61A: Wish List X (Impulsive x Luscious Lace)

'Beauty Contest' (TB Black 2013)

BEAUTY CONTEST
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason 35” (89 cm) If it is splendidly unique color you’re looking for, look no further. Mid pink standard color repeats in narrow bands around grape purple falls. Smoldering burnt coral orange beards add a bit of drama to this Beauty Contest. Branching and buds are quite variable with 2-3 branches and 5-9 buds. Garden visitors have universally loved this beauty. Sdlg. P211C: Sirocco Mist X Dinner Talk. Wicked Good sib

'Cher And Cher Alike' (TB Black 2013)

CHER AND CHER ALIKE
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 38” (97cm) The time of ordinary standards is over. The rise of new colors and patterns is giving them greater impact and prominence. Deeply saturated amethyst standards have a shimmering satin sheen, are banded plum and intermittently rimmed gilt gold. Plush black falls are set ablaze by dark marigold beards. Strong growth produces show stalks with 3 branches and 7-8 buds. Sdlg. R117A: (Bold Encounter x Foreign Legion) X ((On the House x Romantic Evening) x High Master)

'Enough is Enough' (TB Black 2013)

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Very Late 35” (89cm) Compact flowers are ruffled and laced. Falls are the same mid smoky violet as standards but within a few hours centers pale to lovely satiny blue lavender. Big prominent red-orange beards make it anything but boring. Clean vigorous growth produces stalks with 2 branches plus spur and about 7 buds. Heavy waxen substance assures long lasting flowers. Excellent parent for strong growing reverse bicolors and amoenas. Sdlg. O148B: (Suspicion x Cool Confidence) X (Happenstance x (Fashionably Late x Keeping Up Appearances))

'Fred and Ginger' (TB Black 2013)

FRED AND GINGER
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 31” (79cm) What a lovely ensemble of grace, charm and elegance. Smoky purple standards blend to mauve-pink margins. Chalky light blue falls are banded cameo pink. Unique beards are half coral and half pale blue. Nicely branched stalks have 2 branches plus spur and 7-8 buds. Interesting parentage. Sdlg. R142A: Handmade pollen parent sib X (Flashy Show Girl x (Cameo Appearance sib x Heaven))

'Giorgio' (TB Black 2013)

GIORGIO
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 40” (102cm) ‘Kiss of Passion’ has been used to help strengthen the standards of some of the current amoenas. In the case of Giorgio it worked very well. Standards are domed and strongly held in place. Tall strong show stalks have 3 branches and 8-9 buds. Growth is healthy and clean. You have to love those big orange red beards! Veining in the falls looks a bit like cascading fireworks. Sdlg. Q15A: Kiss of Passion X Gypsy Lord

'I'm All Shook Up' (TB Black 2013)

I'M ALL SHOOK UP
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 30” (76cm) The name says it all. Just to see how shook up, look at the back cover. Once again the standards take center stage. The cross of (Meritage x Pharaoh’s Spirit) was the beginning of three distinct bands of color in the standards. I’m All Shook Up builds on that heritage. Color and pattern of falls is also quite unique. Two branches plus spur carry 9-10 buds. This is a must have for any collector’s garden. This is one you won’t need a label to be able to identify it. Sdlg. R113A: (Bold Encounter x Foreign Legion) X (Meritage x Pharaoh’s Spirit)

'Laughing Clown' (TB Black 2013)

LAUGHING CLOWN
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Very Late 35” (89cm) Laughing Clown is a sure fire show stopper for the end of the season. Ruffled standards are pure bright white. Deep purple falls are neatly edged white. White area around beards is heavily sanded and lined purple. Fast increaser. Show stalks have 3 branches and 8-10 buds. Sdlg.Q4A: Clearance Sale X Liberal Bias

'Melody of Spring' (TB Black 2013)

MELODY OF SPRING
(Black ‘13) TB Late-Very Late 38” (97cm) Once you’ve seen it in your garden you’ll be singing its praises. White standards have yellow margins and veins overall. Strongly flared and ruffled falls are white with yellow rims and hafts. Strong show stalks have 3 branches and 8-10 buds. Husky growth with average increase. Sdlg. R82B: (Padded Shoulders x Country Dawn) X Material Girl

'Men Are From Mars' (TB Black 2013)

MEN ARE FROM MARS
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 40” (102cm) Men may be from Mars but this down to earth creation has fabulous flowers, stalks and clumps. Clumps are some of the healthiest and most floriferous in the garden. You’ll be glad you have it. Note the gold veining in upper 1/3 of the standards. With Class Clown as one parent, it should be of interest to those breeding rebloomers. Sdlg. R77G: Class Clown X (Ransom Note x What’s My Line)

'Out And About' (TB Black 2013)

OUT AND ABOUT
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 40” (102cm) This sibling to ‘Men are from Mars’ has all the fine traits that it does. Rosy mauve standards have light gilt gold rims. Rich red-purple falls have darker plum hafts. Very neat beards are deep burnt orange. Growth is strong and healthy. Clumps are filled with show stalks having 3 branches and 9-10 buds. Sdlg. R77A: Men are from Mars sib

'Peach Butter' (TB Black 2013)

PEACH BUTTER
(Black ‘13) TB Early-Midseason 34” (86cm) Clumps of ‘Peach Butter’ are filled with multitudes of moderate sized yummy flowers. Standards are mid peach and falls slightly darker apricot peach. Ruffling is very much in keeping with flower size. Show stalks usually have 4 branches and 8-9 buds. Moderate sized flowers make it easier to transport that stalk to a show without damage. Growth is strong and increase abundant. Use as parent for BBs, IBs and even tet MTBs. Sdlg. R110K: Blushing sib X (Lady of the Night x Paul Black)

'Twice Is Nice' (TB Black 2013)

TWICE IS NICE
(Black ‘13) TB Early-Midseason-Rebloom 42” (107cm) Twice is definitely nice when the form and color are what one would expect from a modern iris. Standards are wheat tan. Vibrant fuchsia falls have dark red plum hafts and bands. Dark burnt orange beards are a lovely complement. Several excellent reblooming seedlings were numbered from this cross. Sdlg. S69AR: Class Clown X (Cantina x Sweetly Sung)

'Very Very Good' (TB Black 2013)

VERY VERY GOOD
(Black ‘13) TB Midseason-Late 30” (76cm) Who could resist these big flashy orange beards! Even though it has shorter stalks and moderate sized flowers, you still won’t be able to ignore it because of the beards. Perfectly proportioned stalks have 3 branches and 8-9 buds. Strong vigorous growth assures instant clumps. Nice fragrance. R110I: Blushing sib X (Lady of the Night x Paul Black)