Notable Cultivars in Iris History 1 A presentation

Notable Cultivars in Iris History 1

A presentation of important milestones in Tall Bearded Iris history. 2

IRIS PALLIDA JEAN BAPTISTE LAMARCK 1789 Iris pallida is one of the species irises that is the foundation of today’s tall bearded irises. It is native to the northern Mediterranean coast. It brought height and new color blends into breeding lines. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 3

“Before 1900 irises and all others arose originally from two species – ‘I. pallida’ and ‘I. variegata’ – the first a tall stemmed plant native of Dalmata. ” N. Leslie Cave, The Iris, 1959 4

“M. Lémon began breeding irises in 1840 and was the first person to attempt to lift irises to an important garden flower. ” N. Leslie Cave, The Iris, 1959 5

JACQUESIANA JEAN-NICHOLAS LÉMON 1840 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Color effect a bright russet-crimson, velvety bordeaux bicolor. P. Edinger 6

MME. CHEREAU JEAN NICOLAS LÉMON 1844 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A sensation in its day and the standard for plicatas for decades after its introduction. M. Unser 7

QUEEN OF MAY JOHN SALTER 1859 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A very popular variety that was important in the breeding of early orchid pinks. M Unser 8

The date 1900 is important – it was in that year the tall, large-flowered, tetraploid species Mesopotamica, Amas and Trojan were imported to England. Previous varieties available were diploid. 9

AMAS SIR MICHAEL FOSTER 1885 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY ‘Amas’ was one of the first tetraploid irises to reach England; because it was hardy and widely grown, it is behind all our modern TB’s. P. Edinger 10

HER MAJESTY AMOS PERRY 1903 IB MEET THE IRIS FAMILY The most popular pink of its day and for decades after. M. Lowe 11

ORIFLAMME VILMORIN 1904 An early tetraploid eagerly seized upon by hybridizers to advance early TBs to greater height and substance. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY P. Edinger 12

CATERINA SIR MICHAEL FOSTER 1909 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An important ancestor in breeding better blues. M. Hess 13

ALCAZAR VILMORIN 1910 At the time nearly every other garden iris of its day was a diploid. Alcazar was one of the first garden tetraploids; having a chromosome count of 2 n=48. It represented a great advance over other garden irises of the time. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY S. Tillou 14

SOUV. DE MME. GAUDICHAU MILLET ET FILS 1914 The very largest, finest and richest dark purple. Extremely popular for many years, and heavily used in breeding for dark purples and blacks. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 15

DOMINION A. J. BLISS 1917 Perhaps the single most important iris in the tetraploid revolution. Behind virtually all of today’s Tall Bearded irises. M. Unser 16

LENT A. WILLIAMSON 1918 An early tetraploid and renowned parent. Possibly the most commonly found old garden iris in the USA. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 17

SHEKINAH GRACE STURTEVANT 1918 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A pale yellow pallida originated by the American hybridizer Miss Sturtevant. P. Edinger 18

CARDINAL A. J. BLISS 1919 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A child of ‘Dominion’, it was instrumental in the breeding for later red irises. M. Unser 19

AMBASSADEUR VILMORIN 1920 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A popular tetraploid used in breeding red varieties and blends. M. Unser 20

BRUNO A. J. BLISS 1920 Considered one of the finest irises on the market in its day. It was very important in breeding towards red irises. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY P. Edinger 21

APHRODITE W. R. DYKES 1922 The best of the violet pinks. It is certain that, in purity of tone and brightness of color, it stands in a class by itself. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY P. Edinger 22

CONQUISTADOR WILLIAM MOHR 1923 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An early American light blue that brought even more height into breeding lines. M. Unser 23

FRIEDA MOHR WILLIAM MOHR-SYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1926 A celebrated early pink with fabulous height and form. Very popular with growers and breeders alike. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 24

KING TUT HANS P. SASS 1926 A foundational variety for the Sass breeding lines. Led to wonderful new blends and color in reds, oranges, and browns. Parent of Dykes Medal Winner ‘Rameses’. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 25

“Second landmark: the arrival of the large-flowered yellow raised by W. R. Dykes (who did not live to see it bloom). His widow named it ‘W. R. Dykes’. It has had more influence on breeding of yellows than any other to date. ” N. Leslie Caves, Irises 1959 26

W. R. DYKES 1926 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An important variety in the evolution of yellows due to its good color and height. M. Unser 27

“Events began to move rapidly. In America E. B. Williamson and Miss Grace Sturtevant, in England Amos Perry, and in France M. Cayeux were raising more and better irises ---” N. Leslie Caves, Irises 1959 28

DOLLY MADISON E. B. WILLIAMSON 1927 A sensation in its day. Tall stems of well formed blooms and clear pastel color tones. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 29

“ 1920 -1926 – in California William Mohr and his friend Professor Sydney Mitchell succeeded in uniting the Oncocyculus iris gatesii with a plicata, ‘Parisiana’ and the child of this union was ‘William Mohr’, which brought new genes into TB breeding. ” N. Leslie Caves, Irises 1959 30

LOS ANGELES WILLIAM MOHR-SYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1927 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Sister seedling of the plicata and 1927 Dykes Medal Winner ‘San Francisco’. M. Unser 31

PURISSIMA WILLIAM MOHRSYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1927 Known for its bloom size, height and purity of color, it is in the background of most white and blue irises around today. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 32

SAN FRANCISCO WILLIAM MOHR-SYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1927 A famous plicata and winner of the Dykes Medal for 1927. ‘San Francisco’ continues to win awards at iris shows in the 21 st century. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 33

DAUNTLESS CLARENCE PHILLIPS CONNELL 1929 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A widely celebrated red variety and winner of the Dykes Medal for 1929. M. Unser 34

EVOLUTION F. CAYEUX 1929 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An important ancestor for browns and blends. French Dykes Medal winner for 1933. M. Unser 35

RAMESES H. P. SASS 1929 Heavily used in breeding better blends and reds, and an important ancestor to Dave Hall’s flamingo pinks. Winner of the 1932 Dykes Medal. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 36

ALTA CALIFORNIA WILLIAM MOHR 1931 Another step on the road to good tall yellows. Its large size and depth of color was a huge achievement for its time. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 37

GUDRUN KATHERINE DYKES 1931 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An important step in breeding white varieties. Won the British Dykes Medal in 1931. M. Unser 38

JEAN CAYEUX F. CAYEUX 1931 Famous brown iris that became an important parent for its color class. Exceptional color and form. Still popular with historic iris lovers. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 39

TIFFANY H. R. SASS 1931 A very popular variety and an early example of a yellow ground plicata. An ancestor of many of today’s rebloomers. The Sass brothers pioneered yellow ground plicatas as well as reblooming irises. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 40

GLORIOLE H. R. SASS 1931 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Instrumental in breeding better light blues with good form and substance. P. Edinger 41

AMIGO WILLIAMSON 1934 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY The standard by which neglectas were measured for many years. Short, but with exceptional blooms. M. Unser 42

HAPPY DAYS SYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1934 Though no advance in form, it was very, very popular with iris growers and the gardening public for its height and bright, cheerful color. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 43

MADAME LOUIS AUREAU F. CAYEUX 1934 An early plicata from France that revolutionized the plicata pattern from that time forward. Exceptional in size, form and performance. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 44

CHINA MAID CARL MILLIKIN 1936 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY The huge flowers, and great pattern and colors, led many breeders to use it in advancing blends. M. Unser 45

CITY OF LINCOLN H. P. SASS 1936 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Considered in its day to be the finest variegata ever produced. M. Unser 46

WABASH MARY WILLIAMSON 1936 Early tetraploid amoena that set the standard for all that followed. Arguably one of the most popular irises ever produced and still eagerly sought after by iris lovers. Winner of the Dykes Medal for 1940. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 47

FAR WEST KLEINSORGE 1937 Dr. Kleinsorge considered this greatest breeding iris, and he used it heavily in many of his lines to produce better browns and blends. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY P. Edinger 48

MIDWEST GEM H. P. SASS 1937 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Brought ‘lace’ into the gene pool for Tall Bearded Irises. M. Hess 49

MOROCCO ROSE LOOMIS 1937 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An important early color break. It was a forerunner of the Flamingo pinks. P. Edinger 50

FAIR ELAINE SYDNEY B. MITCHELL 1938 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A yellow bitone that was very popular in its time and used widely in breeding by other hybridizers. M. Unser 51

GREAT LAKES W. L. COUSINS 1938 Dykes Medal Winner for 1942. The standard by which other blues of the day were measured and very important in the evolution of today’s varieties. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 52

SABLE PAUL COOK 1938 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A giant leap forward in breeding better black irises. M. Unser 53

PRAIRIE SUNSET H. P. SASS 1939 A major advancement in breeding browns and oranges. Very popular and heavily used by other hybridizers. Dykes Medal Winner for 1943. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 54

SNOW FLURRY C. REES 1939 The first large perfect, white tetraploid to catch the iris community’s imagination. Considered by some the most important iris ever created and behind the parentage of most all modern cultivars. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY R. Figge 55

MELITZA ELIZABETH NESMITH 1940 An early warm pink with tangerine beards. Led to the development of better pink, apricot, and salmon tones. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Lowe 56

BLUE SHIMMER J. SASS 1941 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A popular blue plicata that brought size and height to the class. M. Unser 57

TOBACCO ROAD R. KLEINSORGE 1941 A major advance in the brown color class and incredibly popular for many years afterward. It was so widespread it is hard to believe that it is believed extinct today. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Cooley’s Gardens catalog 58

ELMOHR LOOMIS 1942 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY First of the oncobreds to be hardy across a wide range of climates. Brought new genes into TB breeding. M. Unser 59

LOTHARIO SCHREINERS 1942 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY The best neglecta for many years. Though an American creation, its ancestry is almost entirely French. M. Hess 60

MOONLIT SEA J. SASS 1942 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY One of the first luminatas to become popular and an important ancestor to that pattern in today’s varieties. M. Unser 61

DREAMCASTLE PAUL COOK 1943 A quantum leap forward in form for orchid pinks. It advanced this color class tremendously and its notable descendants include ‘Melodrama’ and ‘Amethyst Flame’. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 62

EXTRAVAGANZA GEDDES DOUGLAS 1943 Instrumental in bringing dominant amoena genes into wider circulation while adding hardiness and reliability of blooms in warm climates. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 63

HELEN MCGREGOR ROBERT J. GRAVES 1943 The next step in breeding light blues. Added width and ruffles, and was very popular with hybridizers. Dykes Medal Winner for 1949. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A. Moran 64

OLA KALA J. SASS 1943 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An intense, deep yellow, and winner of the Dykes Medal for 1948. M. Unser 65

RANGER KLEINSORGE 1943 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY An early advance in reds, heavily used to advance the color class. Cooley’s Gardens Catalog 1945 66

BLACK FOREST SCHREINER 1944 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Deeper, smoother color and a self-toned beard brought blacks to new heights. P. Edinger 67

CASCADE SPLENDOR KLEINSORGE 1944 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A very widely used blend that led the way to many new color combinations. M. Unser 68

CHIVALRY JESSE WILLS 1944 Brought blues closer to ‘true blue’. An advance that was appreciated by many breeders. Dykes Medal Winner for 1947. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 69

CHANTILLY DAVID HALL 1945 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Brought lacing into fashion and launched new directions for hybridizing. M. Unser 70

PINNACLE JEAN STEVENS 1945 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A major breakthrough in color in the amoena pattern and a sensational garden flower. M. Unser 71

MAYTIME MRS. C. WHITING R. 1947 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY This lovely variety brought the amoena pattern into new color classes. P. Edinger 72

SPANISH PEAKS DR. P. A. LOOMIS 1947 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A pure white with no yellow at the heart. Popular with growers and breeders. P. Edinger 73

CAHOKIA EVA FAUGHT 1948 The premier blue of its day and one of the most important blues in iris breeding history. It laid the groundwork for more ruffles and larger size blooms. M. Unser 74

EBONY ECHO CHET TOMPKINS 1948 Another step in the advancement of reds, which tended to lag behind other color classes. M. Hess 75

PINK FORMAL TELL MUHLESTEIN 1949 Added depth to the pink tones and was foundational in advancing this class. R. Figge 76

“Honor goes to David Hall for the pale pink irises with tangerine and vermilion beards. ” N. Leslie Cave, Iris 1959 77

BALLERINA DAVID HALL 1951 Considered Dave Hall’s finest pink. Not only did it have exceptional form, it grew well everywhere, including warm climates that many pinks did not like, and even rebloomed there as well. HIPS Archives 78

MARY RANDALL ORVILLE FAY 1951 A large pink that captivated iris lovers. Widely used in breeding for many years. Dykes Medal Winner for 1954. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 79

PRETENDER PAUL COOK 1951 The first bi-color to bring blue-purple into the falls of variegatas instead of the traditional red or purple. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 80

PROGENITOR PAUL COOK 1951 An IB that was instrumental in bringing genes from Iris reichenbachii into reach of hybridizers. It changed everything and led to a new spectrum of possibilities for bicolors. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Lowe 81

INCA CHIEF GRANT MITSCH 1952 An intense deep golden brown that heralded a new era in the development of the brown varieties. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 82

WIDE WORLD PAUL COOK 1954 First of the ‘dark tops’ or reverse amoenas. A whole new direction for hybridizers to pursue. M. Blazek 83

JUNE MEREDITH TELL MUHLESTEIN 1954 SUPER-pink color! Probably the apex of Tell’s breeding and widely used by others. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY WIKI - fl 84

SOUTH PACIFIC KENNETH D. SMITH 1954 Blue, BLUE!!! Also a superb grower and bloomer. The form was on the plain side, but color purity was outstanding. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Lowe 85

UNICORN LLOYD AUSTIN 1954 The first of the Austin ‘space-age’ varieties, it launched horns, spoons and flounces into the eye of iris collectors. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 86

DOTTED SWISS SASS BROS. 1956 Not the last of the Sass blue/white plicatas, but definitely the best. Lovely flower form, clear colors, and a decent grower. Widely used, therefore, as a parent. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY B. Warburton 87

TAHOLAH JIM GIBSON 1956 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY A key breeder in adding new colors to plicata lines. M. Lowe 88

GLITTERING AMBER MELBA HAMBLIN 1957 Advanced warm pink, cream and apricot blends, but also has a big effect on whites, browns and red blends too! MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Lowe 89

WHOLE CLOTH PAUL COOK 1958 A major advance for amoenas, and widely used to add new colors and better form to them. Winner of the Dykes Medal in 1962. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 90

EMMA COOK PAUL COOK 1959 A new type of pattern emerged with this variety, which came to be know as ‘the Emma Cook pattern’ for lack of a better term. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 91

ONE DESIRE GEORGE SHOOP 1960 A strong, smooth pink with a self beard. Behind many later award winners such as ‘Vanity’ and ‘Beverly Sills’. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 92

ROCOCO SCHREINER 1960 Combined great branching, vigor, flower placement, clean colors and loads of ruffles. Behind most blue plicatas that came after. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY B. Williamson 93

RIPPLING WATERS ORVILLE FAY 1961 MEET THE IRIS FAMILY Winner of the Dykes Medal in 1966. J. Graham 94

WILD GINGER JIM GIBSON 1962 A masterpiece from Jim Gibson, heavily used in the advancement of new colors in plicatas. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 95

STEPPING OUT SCHREINER 1964 The plicata pattern brought to perfection. Still topping popularity polls in the 21 st century. Dykes Medal winner for 1968. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 96

CAMELOT ROSE CHET TOMPKINS 1965 A gorgeous rose bitone that set the standard for its class for many years. M. Unser 97

SUNSET SNOWS J. STEVENS 1965 The first approach to a pink amoena and an important ancestor in amoena breeding, as well as an excellent garden plant. M. Unser 98

VANITY BEN HAGER 1974 Top of the line for the pink color class. Dykes Medal winner for 1982, ‘Child of Pink Taffeta’, Dykes Medal Winner for 1975 and parent of 1985 Dykes Medal winner ‘Beverly Sills’. MEET THE IRIS FAMILY M. Unser 99

This is just a brief glimpse of a small handful of the iris varieties that were milestones along the road to our modern varieties. 100

Iris history is rich with beautiful flowers and their stories, and is well deserving of preservation for future generations to enjoy. 101

Historic Iris Preservation Society www. historiciris. org 102