Dana Borglum & The Randolh Perry Medal

The Randolph-Perry Medal is awarded annually by the American Iris Society for the best Species X Iris hybrid. Species X is a cross between two species. In this case a cross that was previously thought impossible... but the bees did it on Dana Borglum's Iris Farm.




'Ally Oops' (Borglum, Registered 2000) SPEC-X, height 18" (46 cm), blooms Early Midseason. Standards and style arms light blue; Falls yellow, blue veining; foliage tall, ribbed center. Parentage unknown --- presumed siberian X Iris pseudacorus . Borglum 2002. Randolph-Perry Medal, 2010.

Iris pseudacorus is commonly known as a "flag."


And the winner for 2010 brought his medal to the GRIS (Greater Rochester Iris Society) meeting last Thursday.

Dana Borglum and Randolph Perry Medal

The Last Iris Planting of the Year

These from Nola's Iris Garden...

Keeping Up Appearances
Black, 2000

Heaven
Ghio, 1997

Gay Parasol
Schreiner, 1973

Fimbriated Space
Sutton, 1998

Milk On Apricots
Niswonger, 2000

Chivalry
Wills, 1943

Handiwork
Ghio, 1982

Devonshire Cream
Sutton, 1999

Barbara My Love
Maryott, 1988

Hot Gossip
Blyth, 1992/93

My Friend Jonathan

Miller, 1984

University of Michigan Spectrum Center PSA

This is featured at today's Michigan game.

The Spectrum Center: "Huddle Up" from Filmic Productions on Vimeo.

May First GRIS! ...and an unknown

I am going to my first meeting of the Greater Rochester Iris Society meeting tonight. I have soe many questions...

Here are two pics of one of the mysteries in my garden. It's the same plant, but the light sure makes a difference. First is a sunny day, second is overcast. It's a beauty for those who like vivid. When purchased in a group from one of the big online garden plant suppliers, it was ID'ed as "Too Sweet"




The Identification of an unknown iris cultivar with certainty is next to impossible. Given the 10's of thousands of named cultivars that's not surprising. Recently I sent off a picture of one cultivar that clearly was not what I had been calling it. "Too Sweet" seemed like a great name for an iris with a fuschia-pink self (Standards and falls of the same color) and brilliant tangerine beards. It seemed "too sweet" in the literal sense of a candy that is cloyingly sweet.

Here is the real "Too Sweet" according to Dave's Garden. It's not on the AIS Wiki.


This is Prom Night:


My source for Iris Investigation believes this is the one. I agree on most points. The color is right. The shape is right. The plicata on the hafts and veining on the fall is more pronounced.

What a project it would be to photograph all blooms under exactly the same light conditions. Of course they would all have to be grown with exactly the same moisture, sun and soil conditions....

It's a challenge, but they are still fun to grow and a spectacular flower!

From Mid-America

Fancy, Paul, Nickel and Thomas

I have posted the irises I ordered from Mid America. Now they are here! One bonus I selected was sold out. Next year I will order "Toronto" but this year I have these two:

I MUST HAVE IT
2011, Paul Black

TB , 35" (89cm) , Early-Midseason
It is all about color. Rich, glowing coppery terra-cotta flowers have a soft blush of rosy violet around dark burnt red orange beards. Easy grower and rapid increaser. It’s easy to have this colorful iris. It’s a bonus. Check out our bonus offer on the inside front cover of this catalog.
Sdlg. N62A: Romantic Gentleman X Stop Flirting

BLUSHING
2011, Paul Black

TB , 32" (81cm) , Midseason-Late
Blushing is a lovely little color gem for smaller gardens. Light buttery yellow standards are infused mid pink over centers. Perky, flared falls are white with wide blended pale yellow margins and peach blushed hafts. Soft tangerine over white beards are the perfect accent. Cute, smaller, compact flowers are carried gracefully on show stalks with 4 branches plus spur and 10-12 buds. Excellent vigor and winter hardiness.
Sdlg. O9YY: Body and Soul X Bundle of Love

They're Here!

Two packages arrived on my doorstep today. One from Mid-America Irises and on from Pleasant Valley. This is live blogging as I open the packages to see what surprises await!

The Richards at Pleasant Valley

Kendall Richard and his family at Pleasant Valley has included 2 gifts

Clarence
1991, Zurbrigg

'Clarence' (Lloyd Zurbrigg, R. 1990). Sdlg. ZZZ. TB, 35" (89 cm), M & RE (Aug/ NC & VA). S. white, tinted violet at top; F. light blue violet, white center and hafts; cream beard; sweet fragrance. Parentage unknown. Avonbank 1991.

Goldfinger

1997, Sutton

This Tall Bearded Iris has standards that are medium rellow over cream/pale yellow falls with bright orange beards and 3/4" yellow horns. This space age iris blooms mid-season and is 35" tall. Hybridizer: Sutton '97