Reticulate Iris - 2014

[johnralphcarpenter]

Lost label iris growing in a tub by the front door. Nothing unusual. Can anyone ID?

[johnralphcarpenter]

In the same tub, I. 'Katharine Hodgkin'. My point and shoot camera doesn't focus too well in these low light conditions!

[Steve Garvie]

A second flower on Iris zagrica. This flower is of a better form and colour than the initial bloom (on the same plant).
Incidentally it would seem that one of the features of Iris zagrica is that the spent flower doesn't really wither but rather simply drops off (the resultant callus can just be seen on the image below).

[Cyril L]

Steve, very beautiful this I. zagrica.  It seems fairly variable from the different pictures I have seen.  Interesting feature of the flower just dropping off.

[David Nicholson]

"Common as muck" as the saying goes but pretty enough just the same:-

Iris reticulata 'Purple Gem' and I. r. 'George'

[Cyril L]

David, they don't have to be rare to be beautiful!

Here are 3 easy ones for the garden:
Iris histrioides var. sophenensis, narrow segments which are very unlike Iris histrioides.
Iris (Iridodyctium) kopetdaghense Caucasian Form with leaves overtopping flowers.  The Georgian forms have leaves that are shorter than the flowers.
and Iris reticulata, (hyrcana-like hybrid x tallish plant) seeds from BIS (British Iris Society) sown 1998.

[Cyril L]

Iris reticulata caucasica, a week after I showed a picture of the flower just opening (Reply 70)

The first flower of Iris kolpakowskiana this year.  This was grown from SRGC seeds in 2005 and have flowered for the last 4 years.  You can get some gems from the SRGC seed exchange.


edit to repair typo in name Iris kolpakowskiana

[Cyril L]

Iris histrioides 'Royal Blue', one of my selected seedling from Iris histrioides 'Major', with deeper royal blue flowers.  It is clumping up well and seems very vigorous so far.

Iris histrio? flowering for the first time.  This came as seeds of Crocus baytopiorum!!  I knew it was an iris but the flower surprised me.  I suppose it must be I. histrio with the intricate markings and spots.

[Robert]

I've enjoyed following the discussion and the excellent photographs.

Nothing interesting about mass produced I. danfordiae, but it does bring us good cheer at this time of year.

Thanks to everyone for sharing the thoughts and photographs. 

[Alex]

A few reticulates from today:

Iris pamphylica received as small bulbs a few years ago from a generous forumist...

Iris zagrica ex Jim Archibald collection

[Hans A.]

Some very fine plants here!

First flower of an Iris pamphylica caught my attention - in sunshine it had a very intense electric blue flower, when I went for my camera the sun was hidden behind of clouds all the rest of the day.

[Jacek]

Cyril,

I envy you - I can see, you are able to grow many reticulata-type irises in the open garden, in cool summer Scotland. I was totally unsuccessful here in warmer (and dryer) summer Poland. Ok, I know - I have a woodland garden and I'm watering it in summer (I have to!). But I have some warm sunny sites and my place is very free draining.

I started with the Dutch cheap stock (danfordiae, Rhapsody, Katherine Hodgkin and others) - no clump-forming, no breaking down into small bulbs - just disappearing. Have never seen seeds. On the contrary - Iris bucharica does well in my garden.

I have a feeling they may need purely mineral soil. Possibly organic content promotes summer rot.

Now I try with small numbers of different irises - may be one will like my site??

[Cyril L]

Dainty Iris pamphylica from Alex and Hans.  Mine is 2-3 weeks away from flowering.

Jacek, the Scottish climate seems to suit the reticulate irises very well.  All those I have tried outside have grown well.  They only need to be lifted and divided when the clump get too congested.  Iris winogradowii has thrived outside for more than 20 years.  It must be the hot summer they do not like in Poland.  It will be interesting to see whether the mineral soil makes a difference.

[Darren]

Cyril,

I envy you - I can see, you are able to grow many reticulata-type irises in the open garden, in cool summer Scotland. I was totally unsuccessful here in warmer (and dryer) summer Poland. Ok, I know - I have a woodland garden and I'm watering it in summer (I have to!). But I have some warm sunny sites and my place is very free draining.

I started with the Dutch cheap stock (danfordiae, Rhapsody, Katherine Hodgkin and others) - no clump-forming, no breaking down into small bulbs - just disappearing. Have never seen seeds. On the contrary - Iris bucharica does well in my garden.

I have a feeling they may need purely mineral soil. Possibly organic content promotes summer rot.

Now I try with small numbers of different irises - may be one will like my site??

Not just confined to Poland Jacek, the reticulatas die out very quickly here too, despite our having theoretically ideal conditions and being only a few miles from Brian Burrow who grows them very successfully outside. Personally I blame the local molluscs. If given some protection in a trough or frame they do fine. And they do great in pots under glass too. Very frustrating.

I'd love to grow pamphylica - I'm really envious!

[Maggi Young]

Sent to me as "Spotted on Twitte"  : by  AGS ‏@Alpinegardensoc
"......... there's a whole range of these hybrid iris bred by an American including 'Orange Glow' and 'Sea Green' they're stunning" 

Err, no, that would be a CANADIAN, Alan McMurtie ! http://www.reticulatas.com     
At least they got it right about the Iris!