Bearded Iris for id please

[ChrisB]

I have an iris that has flowered for me for the first time this year, and somehow I have no record of it.  If anyone can put a name to it I would be most grateful.

[Maggi Young]

It looks quite tall?

[mark smyth]

Have you checked the Cayeux catalogue http://www.iris-cayeux.com/index?lang=EN&SID=e2d67314fcb8b05ecbff7be905537040

Dont look at the miniatures. I did and made a long list 

[majallison]

It looks a bit older than most of the varieties in the Cayeux catalogue (modern varieties tend to have frilled falls & standards), the falls on your plant are determinedly unfrilled; however, iris identification v. tricky as there are literally thousands of varieties, very few varieties have the full botanical descriptions that would enable accurate naming. Also, my experience of irises from Cayeux is that the colours in the catalogues are not always absolutely true (tho' most are) ~ I purchased what appeared to be a glowing pink variety (among many others); in my garden it flowers prolifically, but the blooms are a murky purple...

[ChrisB]

Sorry, I should have said its a tall bearded.  I will take a look at Cayeux, but thought it unlikely as its not got the characteristic frilly edges on it that most of their have.

I really don't know how I came by this iris, I have names for almost all I keep, but somehow this one has no name.

[Lesley Cox]

I agree that it looks like an old maybe very old variety and is not likely to appear in any recent catalogue. Modern TBs all have widely flaring falls, often frilled or ruffled or with other odd appendages on them. Old forms have the typical drooping falls. The strong line marks on the hafts also suggest an old variety.

Cayeux is only one of very many breeders whose irises would likely be in the UK. Apart from the French and English breeders, there are Italians and many, many in the States, all churning out thousands of "new" irises every year. Oh and Australians too, and NZers, though I don't know if ours travel so very far. NZ breeders tend to breed specifically for NZ conditions which are not necessarily those in other countries.

[ChrisB]

Thanks for your thoughts Lesley.  The search continues....

[PeterT]

Hello Chris, I believe you would be more likely to find it in Clare Austins or Seagates catalouges....

[Lesley Cox]

Or if you can't find it, forget about the name and just enjoy it.

[ChrisB]

It is very nice Lesley, and yes, that's what I'm going to have to do.

[gote]

It is not necessarily a named variety. It looks a little like a couple of self sown seedlings in my garden.
Cheers
Göte

[Lvandelft]

Chris, I saw your query and by accident I saw yesterday an Iris in a show garden of perennials plants one which looked like your plant. Flowering was almost over but I could make a picture
The name of this Iris is “Tulip Festival”
Don’t ask me why it’s named like this  I found out that it was registered in 1974 an won in USA (?) by Clough.

Iris TB Tulip Festival


PS  I just saw that your plant the falls are not so clear yellow, so t will be something else?

Well, I did give it a try 

[Lesley Cox]

No, not the same. There are no brown haft markings on yours Luit, and as you say, Chris's is less yellow and I think less clean white. I think hers is older still, than 1974.

[PeterT]

Seagate Irises or Clare Austins catalouges, both firms deal in hybred bearded Iris which have stood the test of time in the UK.

[ChrisB]

Yes, that one is very nice Luit, and close, but the white and yellows are much more distinct than mine, which are much more muted in every way.  The closest I get to it is I. 'Starshine' which is pictured in Claire Austin's earlier book on bearded iris.  So I'm going to call it I. aff. 'Starshine' to indicate the colour.  I often propagate so need to give it a name of some sort....