Iris and some Irids 2006-2007

[Lesley Cox]

Two out now are first, Iris douglasiana in its dwarf form, which comes true from seed, though there are usually just one or two pods But it's flowering better than ever before, this year.


and second, Iris barbatula. This little tuberous-rooted species flowers at ground level, stemless. Each flower only lasts a day but there is a succession over 2 or 3 weeks. A single seed pod last summer, 12 seeds sown fresh. Just 4 germinated and they haven't appeared again this spring. It's a quite vigorous plant though and can be divided into about 20 nursery plants every couple of years, with enough left to plant back a reasonable clump.

[Paul T]

Lesley,

I like both of those.  Very nice.  The second species sound rather intriguing, flowering way down low and only lasting for a day.  Sounds more like it should be a Moraee than an Iris!!    Must look out for it in the future I think, as an excellent little oddity by the sound of it.

Fermi,

As far as I know 'Rose Queen' is more laevigata than ensata?  I grow it permanently submerged and it thrives for me here along with the other laeviagatas ('Royal Cartwheel' in particular is a corker!!).  I find that 'Rose Queen' is a bit disappointing to me..... the flowers just don't have as much attraction as some of them, and they are "single" which I must admit I don't like as much as the "double" forms (for those who don't know a double in this case has 6 main broad petals, while a single has 3 main broad petals and 3 more upright thinner ones).

[zephirine]

Must find a plant of Gerald Darby! I've never met another Darby by chance. Only relatives at hatches, matches and dispatches

There's a G. Darby for sale on ebay these days!
Zephirine

[David Nicholson]

Thanks to Lesley and Paul for confirming my Iris lazica.

[Maggi Young]

Re Ebay, G. Darby..... so there is...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Iris-versicolor-Gerald-Darby_W0QQitemZ250195138448QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3184QQcmdZViewItem
and from a seller in Orkney, it seems!

[mark smyth]

Richard is very reliable

[Maggi Young]

Mark, do you know everyone?

[dominique]

Under rain is born Iris unguicularis (second flower, first 1 december). Iris histrioides "George" point above the ground. Perhaps one flower at Christmas ?

[Lesley Cox]

Here is another picture of Iris barbatula, with 16 flowers open all at once. I never had more than 5 previously.
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and here is the sumptuously coloured Iris chrysographes `Black Knight.'



This iris should be looked on as a strain rather than a clone. It comes relatively true from seed and this is how nursery plants are almost always raised rather than from divisions from the original plant. Some seedlings have very fine stippling and veining of gold, on the falls. This plant is almost entirely free of that so looks quite black. It seems the camera sees colour which the eye - or my eye - doesn't. There is no suggestion of red or purple when I look at the flower, just solid black.

[David Nicholson]

Stunners Lesley especially Iris barbatula, will you have any seed?

[Lesley Cox]

I have just the one clone of this species David and didn't really expect any seed but last year I got one pod. It had 12 seeds in and I sowed them fresh. After 3 months, 4 germinated and were doing quite nicely, then died down for the winter (it is fully deciduous). I haven't seen them since and no more have germinated though I haven't thrown out the pot. I don't know whether they were too wet, or dry or cold or what during dormancy. I really wanted the babies, to give me extra clones. Maybe this year.

[mark smyth]

Maggi I know everyone I need to know 

[hadacekf]

Lesley,
Super pics and irises.   

[Joakim B]

Nice pics and I am happy that I have one to share with You.
It is not mine but I got seeds of some other so maybe I can get some as well.
I think it is a pacific coast hybrid and do not know if it is a cultivar or "just standard".
The iris was in a garden in Old Town San Diego.
Hope people can tell we have real experts here on that subjects and it a pleasure to be thought by You.

Kind regards
Joakim

[Armin]

Joachim,
it is a beauty but I have no idea.