Iris, non-bearded 2016

[johnralphcarpenter]

Very nice, David. I got this one as Iris species KR3739. Probably would have been a good idea to also record where I got it from. Any suggestions as to ID?

[Regelian]

Ralph,
could be I. clarkei, which holds the stands horizontally.  Looks very similar to chrysographes, but more violet and the plant is a bit stiffer, but I've not seen them together.  That comment is from Köhlein.
J.

[johnralphcarpenter]

Iris chrysographes would be a good fit, a paler violet form. Looks like the one advertised here: http://www.letsgoplanting.co.uk/iris-chrysographes.html

[johnralphcarpenter]

KR is K. D. Rushforth apparently. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5957408

[Regelian]

Ralph,
I. chrysographes never has horizontal stands.  Only I. clarkei shows this (only species in the sibericae/chrsographae).  After the flower spike is done, cut it.  Other siberica types have a hollow stem, not I. clarkei.

There is another undescribed plant tentativley under I. clarkei, but not yet investigated.  May be a new species or wild hybrid.

If the seed was garden harvested, a hybrid is a strong possibility. Normally we see a white signal in I.clarkei.  A hybrid with I. chrysographes may not show this, but still have the horizontal falls.

here a link for I. clarkei.

http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecClarkei

[Maggi Young]

KR is K. D. Rushforth apparently. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5957408

  It is.  You can see many collectors' references here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5050.0

[johnstephen29]

My favourite iris is in bloom I. graminea, with a great common name, plum tart iris.

[Lesley Cox]

 Do you mean Jamie that the FALLS of clarkei are not horizontal?

I. chrysographes never has horizontal falls.  Only I. clarkei shows this. 


If the seed was garden harvested, a hybrid is a strong possibility. Normally we see a white signal in I.clarkei.  A hybrid with I. chrysographes may not show this, but still have the horizontal falls.

here a link for I. clarkei.

http://wiki.irises.org/bin/view/Spec/SpecClarkei

I don't believe clarkei ever has horizontal falls, only standards and this varies. The fact is that it seems ALL species within sibiricae will hybridise with and among each other and even in the wild it may be almost impossible to identify "true" (i.e. unadulterated) species. I. clarkei is perhaps the most easily identified as its solid, not hollow stem is constant as is the butterfly-shaped signal which can be yellow or white. I seem to drag this photo out every so often here or on Facebook and it is, I believe, true I. clarkei.

[Lesley Cox]

A couple of years ago I was promised seed of Iris spuria ssp maritima by a member living in France and I think it was to be wild collected seed but in the event, it never arrived (twice), so you won't be surprised David if I ask you to keep an eye out for seed on your lovely plants and perhaps sent a little my way?

[Lesley Cox]

David, I'm sure the sibirica 'Perry's Blue' would have come from that nursery. Back in the dim, distant I seem to remenber that it was the source of many good hardy plants, new varieties and with the Perry name attached.

[Regelian]

Lesley, thanks for catching that.  I meant to write 'stands', and have now corrected it above.

Also, I think your foto is of a hybrid, not the species.  In short, too well formed!
cheers,
J.

[David Nicholson]

A couple of years ago I was promised seed of Iris spuria ssp maritima by a member living in France and I think it was to be wild collected seed but in the event, it never arrived (twice), so you won't be surprised David if I ask you to keep an eye out for seed on your lovely plants and perhaps sent a little my way?

Done Lesley. If it produces seed some of it is yours.

[GordonT]

After almost a year of silence from my end, I am back at home (house renovation 90% finished)! Martin and I have been feverishly at work - doing our best to eradicate the chickweed and sheep sorrel that invaded the gardens last season. My testing of Pacific coast iris for winter hardiness continues, and the first to bloom this year have been the species Iris innominata
 
 and an open pollinated seedling of Iris innominata x Iris tenax


I am a bit ruthless about testing for winter hardiness. Many in my neck of the woods would cover these plants with straw or fir boughs to help them evade the worst of winter chills, but I have purposely let them weather the full effects of the season, only going so far as to plant them on the southern lee side of rocks in the landscape. Both of these plants have steadily expanded over the past few years, withstanding some winter temperatures that dropped to -25C in 2014-15. Last winter was mild by comparison, so the display was great over the past two weeks.

[johnstephen29]

Two more beardless Iris are in flower here, the first is I. versicolor, had this plant for years and it never fails to please, the next one is one I have grown from seed, I. tenax I didn't expect flowers so soon, but it's surprised me with a single bloom.

[Maggi Young]

Nice to see you back, Gordon - first things first ..... how is the dog?