the bearded iris

8/3/2019 The Bearded Iris

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Welcome to my GardenWelcome to my GardenEnjoy my favorite flowersEnjoy my favorite flowers


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The Bearded IrisThe Bearded Iris

These glorious spring flowers are theThese glorious spring flowers are theorchids of the flower garden,orchids of the flower garden,

Th

rive in our climate even thoug

hwe

Thrive in our climate even t

houg

hwefrequently have severe drought conditions.frequently have severe drought conditions.

They bloom from March through May andThey bloom from March through May andlonger. Some even bloom again in the fall.longer. Some even bloom again in the fall.

All sizes of plants and blooms can beAll sizes of plants and blooms can befound from dwarf to median to tall.found from dwarf to median to tall.


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In my GardenIn my Garden

Each year, after the Iris have bloomed IEach year, after the Iris have bloomed Ievaluate the flowers to decide which varietiesevaluate the flowers to decide which varieties

bloom the best for me.bloom the best for me. I also have individual preferences such as I loveI also have individual preferences such as I love

all the blues.all the blues.

I also like unusual forms such as the hornedI also like unusual forms such as the horned

varieties.varieties. Lastly, my soil is sandy and watering is oftenLastly, my soil is sandy and watering is oftenneglected so they must still grow well for me.neglected so they must still grow well for me.


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What I really like, this year.What I really like, this year.

All AmericanAll American

Touted to be the red,Touted to be the red,

white and blue iris,white and blue iris,this iris has redthis iris has redbeard, blue falls, andbeard, blue falls, andwhite standards.white standards.

Th

e catalog pictureTh

e catalog pictureshows the blue fallsshows the blue fallsmuch lighter thanmuch lighter thanthey show here.they show here.


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Bronze FalconBronze Falcon

This iris was planted lastThis iris was planted lastfall and has only one fanfall and has only one fan

thus only one bloomthus only one bloomstalk.stalk.

Ithas done well, but willIthas done well, but willbe removed as it fadesbe removed as it fades

rapidly to a dingy color.rapidly to a dingy color. What do you think aboutWhat do you think about

it? Would you keep it?it? Would you keep it?


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Blue Eyed BlondeBlue Eyed Blonde

This is a median irisThis is a median irisand blooms earlierand blooms earlier

than the tallthan the tallbearded irises .bearded irises .

It makes a clumpIt makes a clumpvery rapidly and invery rapidly and in

two years created atwo years created alovely show as inlovely show as inthe next slide.the next slide.


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Blue Eyed Blonde clumpBlue Eyed Blonde clump

This is a two yearThis is a two yearold clump.old clump.

Like most iris itLike most iris itneeds full sun inneeds full sun inorder to put on theorder to put on thebest show.best show.

Although not theAlthough not thefirst to bloom, it isfirst to bloom, it isearly as you canearly as you cantell by the datedtell by the dated

picture.picture.


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BlowtorchBlowtorch

This is one of theThis is one of thehorned iris in the tallhorned iris in the tall

bearded class.bearded class. The flower is moreThe flower is moreorange than it showsorange than it showshere and the horn ishere and the horn isdeeper blue.deeper blue.

Getting the exactGetting the exactcolor on pictures iscolor on pictures isnot easy.not easy.


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CannonballCannonball

Not really as red as itNot really as red as itappears in this picture butappears in this picture but

if you like red it is one ofif you like red it is one ofthe best.the best.

It is the only one that IIt is the only one that Ikeep.keep.

The iris at the back of theThe iris at the back of thepicture is another variety.picture is another variety.

Most of the soMost of the so--called redscalled reds

are really brown.are really brown.


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Chickasaw SueChickasaw Sue

This small iris is anotherThis small iris is anotherof my favorites evenof my favorites eventhough ithas a brownthough ithas a browntone.tone.

It was given to me byIt was given to me byBonnie Lowenstein whoBonnie Lowenstein who

many of us remembermany of us rememberwith fondness. Ithas awith fondness. Ithas aspecial place in my gardenspecial place in my gardenand my heart.and my heart.


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Circus WorldCircus World

You would think fromYou would think fromthe pictures I havethe pictures I have

shown so far thatshown so far thatblue really isnt myblue really isnt mycolor.color.

But even I have toBut even I have toadmit that this reallyadmit that this reallyshowy. You can see itshowy. You can see itall the way across theall the way across thegarden.garden.


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CodocilCodocil

This iris was planted andThis iris was planted andthen the tree near itthen the tree near itgrew enough to shade itgrew enough to shade itbut it still bloomed.but it still bloomed.

I have moved theI have moved therhizome to a sunnierrhizome to a sunnierlocation so it will bloomlocation so it will bloommore.more.

I really like the contrastI really like the contrastprovided by the darkprovided by the darkblue beardblue beard


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ConjurationConjuration

This iris was aThis iris was aDykes* medalDykes* medalwinner in 1998.winner in 1998.

It is taller than mostIt is taller than mostof the modern irisof the modern irisstanding 40 tall.standing 40 tall.42 in my garden.42 in my garden.

It also has whiteIt also has whitehorn on the end ofhorn on the end ofthe beard.the beard.

*The highest award*The highest awardgiven annually togiven annually tonewer introductions.newer introductions.


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Conjuration againConjuration again

In a large clump allIn a large clump allthe lovely flowersthe lovely flowers

show to their bestshow to their bestadvantage.advantage.

Far more vigorousFar more vigorousthan most iris, itthan most iris, it

should be usedshould be usedwhere its size is anwhere its size is anadvantage.advantage.


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Unknown dwarfUnknown dwarf

I obtained this littleI obtained this littlejewel from a friend whojewel from a friend who

had it for many years. Ihad it for many years. Ihave no idea what itshave no idea what itsname is.name is.

Perhaps it never had aPerhaps it never had a

name.name. It is one of the earliestIt is one of the earliest

to bloom, that year into bloom, that year inmidmid--April.April.


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Another Blue, Marc AllenAnother Blue, Marc Allen

Although no longerAlthough no longerfound in catalogs this irisfound in catalogs this iris

still blooms in my gardenstill blooms in my gardenbeside my neighborsbeside my neighborsgravel yard.gravel yard.

It is one of my favoriteIt is one of my favorite

blues.blues.


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Victoria FallsVictoria Falls Of all the beautiful blueOf all the beautiful blue

iris, this Dykes medaliris, this Dykes medalwinner is perhaps the mostwinner is perhaps the most

prolific bloomer.prolific bloomer. It is widely used as aIt is widely used as aparent of new varietiesparent of new varietiesbecause of the long bloombecause of the long bloom

season and high bud countseason and high bud count It also reblooms in the fallIt also reblooms in the fall

in many areas. Thatin many areas. Thatrequires fall rains or extrarequires fall rains or extra

irrigation.irrigation.


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MoombaMoomba

Introduced fromIntroduced fromAustralia in 1986 this irisAustralia in 1986 this iris

is no longer available inis no longer available inmy catalogs.my catalogs.

However, the bright redHowever, the bright redbeard on the bluebeard on the blue--purplepurple

falls give it a place in myfalls give it a place in mygarden for another yeargarden for another yearor two or more .or two or more .


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MesmerizerMesmerizer

This pure white iris earnedThis pure white iris earneda Dykes medal in 2000.a Dykes medal in 2000.

The extra flounce at theThe extra flounce at theend of the beard gives theend of the beard gives theeffect of a doubled bloom.effect of a doubled bloom.

It is also quite tall at 37It is also quite tall at 37inches. If I could haveinches. If I could haveonly one white iris thisonly one white iris thiswould be the one I wouldwould be the one I wouldchoose.choose.


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Dusky ChallengerDusky Challenger

Another Dykes medalAnother Dykes medalwinner.winner.

Th

is one in 1992.Th

is one in 1992. It blooms later in theIt blooms later in theseason and has hugeseason and has hugeflowers which openflowers which opentwo, three or even fourtwo, three or even fourat a time.at a time.

It is frequently theIt is frequently theQueen of the ShowQueen of the Showhere in Albuquerque.here in Albuquerque.


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ElectriqueElectrique

This iris was given toThis iris was given tome.me.

Ithas a dusty colorIthas a dusty colorwhich some peoplewhich some people

find attractive.find attractive.

However, it fadesHowever, it fadesrather quickly to anrather quickly to anunattractive greyishunattractive greyishtone which I donttone which I dontcare for so ithascare for so ithasalready been givenalready been given

away.away.


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Emperors DelightEmperors Delight

The deep color of thisThe deep color of thisIris was not easilyIris was not easily

caught by thecaught by thecamera.camera.

However, theHowever, thecomputercomputer

compensated for thecompensated for thecameras failure.cameras failure.


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ImpersonatorImpersonator

This is an older iris thathasThis is an older iris thathasa very different form.a very different form.

There are six falls and noThere are six falls and nostandards so the flowerstandards so the floweropens flat.opens flat.

Unfortunately that alsoUnfortunately that alsomeans that the bloom ismeans that the bloom issterile so it usually can notsterile so it usually can not

be used as a parent.be used as a parent. Other varieties have beenOther varieties have been

developed thathave thisdeveloped thathave thissame form but most are lesssame form but most are lessconsistent than this is.consistent than this is.


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Fondation von GoghFondation von Gogh

This lovely flower appearsThis lovely flower appearsto be apricot butto be apricot but

unfortunately it really is aunfortunately it really is abuff brown.buff brown.

It makes a wonderfulIt makes a wonderfuldisplay in the garden anddisplay in the garden and

as a cut flower.as a cut flower. I especially like the veryI especially like the very

ruffled form and theruffled form and thedelicate color contrast.delicate color contrast.


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Gorgeous MomentGorgeous Moment

I have dabbled inI have dabbled inhybridizing Iris fromhybridizing Iris from

time to time andtime to time andoccasionally have anoccasionally have anIris I consider worthIris I consider worthkeeping.keeping.

This vigorous, heavyThis vigorous, heavyblooming iris is oneblooming iris is onesuch variety.such variety.


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Howdy doHowdy do

One of the tallest ofOne of the tallest ofall my Iris is thisall my Iris is this

magnificent white.magnificent white. This picture clearlyThis picture clearly

shows the distinctiveshows the distinctivehorn that ends thehorn that ends the

beard.beard. It is one of the iris IIt is one of the iris I

used in hybridizingused in hybridizingGorgeous Moment.Gorgeous Moment.


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Harvest KingHarvest King

Another buff brownAnother buff browniris with lots of yellowiris with lots of yellow

tones.tones. I am still undecidedI am still undecided

about it.about it.

What would youWhat would yousuggest I do?suggest I do?

Keep it or not?Keep it or not?


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Stairway to HeavenStairway to Heaven

When I Look out overWhen I Look out overthe garden it makes allthe garden it makes all

the work worthwhile.the work worthwhile. Every year this clumpEvery year this clump

gets bigger and thegets bigger and theflowers get moreflowers get more

numerous.numerous. How can I let them beHow can I let them be

unwatered and unloved?unwatered and unloved?


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Planned TreasurePlanned Treasure

The first time I saw thisThe first time I saw thisIris I was fatally smittenIris I was fatally smitten

and as soon as the priceand as soon as the pricehad dropped to what Ihad dropped to what Iconsider reasonableconsider reasonablelevels I had to have it.levels I had to have it.

Isnt it lovely?Isnt it lovely? Although it blooms laterAlthough it blooms later

in the season it is worthin the season it is worthwaiting for.waiting for.


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Indigo PrincessIndigo Princess

Another older blueAnother older blueIris.Iris.

Notice the ruffling onNotice the ruffling onthe falls andthe falls and

standards.standards.

It was a greatIt was a greataddition whenaddition whengrowers were able togrowers were able tobreed for thesebreed for theseruffles.ruffles.


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Lacy SnowflakeLacy Snowflake

The edges of the petalsThe edges of the petalsof this flower areof this flower arelacinated.lacinated.

While that adds to theWhile that adds to theflowers beauty is alsoflowers beauty is alsomakes the bloom slowermakes the bloom slowerto open as the fineto open as the fine

edges hold the fallsedges hold the fallstogether.together.

I sometimes help theI sometimes help thepetals unfold with apetals unfold with a

gentle nudge.gentle nudge.


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Piping HotPiping Hot

Although orange hasAlthough orange hasnever been a favoritenever been a favorite

modifying it with themodifying it with thewhite center of the fallswhite center of the fallsmakes a pleasantmakes a pleasantcombination.combination.

Like many of pinks andLike many of pinks andoranges it is notoranges it is notparticularly tall.particularly tall.


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ImmortalityImmortality

This a favorite Iris ofThis a favorite Iris ofpeople who like finding apeople who like finding a

bloom stalk in their irisbloom stalk in their irispatch in the latepatch in the late

summer.summer.

It is the most reliable ofIt is the most reliable of

all the fall bloomers andall the fall bloomers andwill bloom in mostwill bloom in mostclimates where othersclimates where otherswill not.will not.


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Proud TraditionProud Tradition

Dark blue and whiteDark blue and whiteis always a soothingis always a soothing

combination.combination. The orange splashThe orange splash

on the left bloom ison the left bloom isthe remains of athe remains of a

spent bloom onspent bloom onBrilliantBrilliantPerformance.Performance.

Sad that it is gone.Sad that it is gone.


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All Iris are beautiful to me.All Iris are beautiful to me.

Another of my hybrids myAnother of my hybrids myfriend calls Ruths Gold.friend calls Ruths Gold.

She wants me to introduce it.She wants me to introduce it.Should I?Should I?

For more information onFor more information onhybridizing iris and morehybridizing iris and morepictures go to my web site atpictures go to my web site atwww.gardeningfromthegroundwww.gardeningfromthegroundup.usup.us ororwww.nmmastergardeners.org.www.nmmastergardeners.org.


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HybridizationHybridization

If you want to tryIf you want to tryyour hand atyour hand at

developing new Irisdeveloping new Irisvarieties you needvarieties you needto know the parts ofto know the parts ofthe flower.the flower.

Simply applyingSimply applyingpollen from thepollen from thestamen to the stylestamen to the stylebranch is all that isbranch is all that is

required.required.


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Seedlings are great funSeedlings are great fun

Another seedling FromAnother seedling Fromthe same seed pod asthe same seed pod as

the one s

hown before.t

he one s

hown before.

This one shows the stalkThis one shows the stalkwith four open blooms.with four open blooms.

Blooms like that winBlooms like that winoohs and aahs.oohs and aahs.


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Getting Rhizomes for your garden.Getting Rhizomes for your garden.

Many Iris Societies sell iris rhizomes at theMany Iris Societies sell iris rhizomes at thecorrect planting time (usually in July) when thecorrect planting time (usually in July) when the

iris are semiiris are semi--dormant.dormant. Rhizomes may also be obtained from IrisRhizomes may also be obtained from Iris

specialists nationwide. You can order onspecialists nationwide. You can order on--lineline

and the rhizomes will be shipped in July orand the rhizomes will be shipped in July orwhenever is the best time to plant in your area.whenever is the best time to plant in your area.


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Thats All for NowThats All for Now

Thanks for watchingThanks for watching

Maybe more next year.Maybe more next year.

Pictures and all by me,Pictures and all by me,R. BronsonR. Bronson

the bearded iris

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