Iris of the Day. Los Coyotes. 5.17.19

Modern Bearded Iris "Los Coyotes".  5.17.19

 The irises pictured today have some similarities in their color distribution, although nuances of the colors vary.  In addition, the shapes and sizes vary.

I bought "Los Coyotes" about 5 years ago.  This iris is among the rescues that I collected from around the yard last summer, and this is the first time that it has bloomed so nicely.  No scent that I can appreciate.  The flowers are lush, large, and have that classic yellow standards, brushed brown falls that is notable for "Honorabile" as well.  In fact, "Los Coyotes" looks like a tetraploid, more ruffled and larger descendant of "Honorabile"

Speaking of which, "Honorabile" is blooming too.  Much smaller, this iris falls into the category of "miniature tall bearded".  Honorabile was developed by Lémon in 1840, although there is debate about whether the current version is really Honorabile or is a different variety called "Sans Souci".

On to "Accent", this iris is larger then "Honorabile", but the flowers are smaller and not as ruffled, but taller stems, than "Los Coyotes".   "Accent" was developed in 1952.  The falls are more of a burgundy color, compared to "Honorabile" or "Los Coyotes" and the shape is that of a mid century tall bearded iris. 

Historic Bearded Iris "Honorabile".  5.17.19

 Finally, there is "Shah Jehan".  This iris has a similar effect, although compared to the others in today's selection, the falls have a more purple coloration.  The plant is taller, with a taller flower stem, compared to the others.  "Shah Jehan" is significantly older, having been developed by W. Neel in Vanouver, Canada, in 1932.  "Shah Jehan" was named for the Mogul emperor who commissioned the Taj Mahal, and had more than 900 gardens build in Kashmir, according to the link.   This iris does have an elegant look, and might be nice in a larger clump.  With only one flower stem, so tall and ungainly looking, it would not be my first choice in a flower bed.

All of these are nice in a collection.  If I had more limited space and had to narrow down to two of this classic, golden standard / brown or purplish-brown or maroon-brown fall type, I'd go with Los Coyotes for the bigger, brighter, larger and more ruffled look, or Honorabile for the small but very nice, and obviously very historic feel.

Historic Tall Bearded Iris "Accent".  5.17/19

Historic Tall Bearded Iris "Shah Jehan".  5.17.19

Bearded Irises. Third Wave. 5.2.16

Now is the main season for my bearded irises.  More are blooming, in larger numbers, now than in any previous year.  Quite a beautiful flower.  I look at these pictures all year long.  I generally like the old historic irises much better than new modern varieties, but there are exceptions to that rule.  Sans souci, developed in 1854, was one of the main varieties that inspired me to look into older types.  This year, I may dispose of ones that I don't care for.  Some of the others are too vigorous and need more space, and some are just too susceptible to disease and never fail to disappoint.  Some may have just needed to adapt to my garden and climate.  Some, such as Loreley and Monsignor, took off and performed beautifully from the start.

Accent.  1952

 Caprice.  1898.  Fragrant.

Iris flavescens.  1813

Fall Fiesta.  1992.

Flutter-by  1924

Mrs. Horace Darwin.  1888.

Monsignor.   1907.

Monsignor.  1907.

No name.  Immortality X Fall Fiesta.  I crossed, 2012.

Front is Quaker Lady.  1909.

Sans Souci.  1854.

Rosy Wings.  1935

Loreley. 1909.

Looking Back. June 1 2013

Heritage Iris Bed #1

Pallida variegata

Looking back at June 1 2013.  Most of the heritage irises and some off the others were blooming.  Most of the heritage irises were in their first season here, so had not established.  This gave me a chance to view the flowers.  I think in their second year most will have more flowers, and they will be larger.  I think some will be clusters of flowers, instead of one stalk per rhizome.

The colors are very impressive.

Looking back, I didn't realize the NOID was so brilliant yellow, and the NOID plicata was so beautiful.

Honorable vs. Sans Souci

Quaker Lady

Caprice

 Gives me something to look forward to as we move into winter.

Iris flavescens

Iris pallida dalmatica

Pink Bubbles

NOID Yellow from Battleground WA

NOID plicata

NOID plicata

Iris Raised Bed, heritage Irises

Heritage iris and culinary herb raised bed

 Heritage iris and culinary herb raised bed.  Now I wish I thought of this before.  They go together very will

Caprice.  The photograph color is not the same as the flower.  In person is is more of a rosy red, not so blue.  Nice sweet fragrance.  In the literature this is described as a grape fragrance.  That is not far off from reality.
Quaker Lady.  Also a nice sweet fragrance, floral.

Pallida dalmatica.  Also, sweet grape - like fragrance.  Sweeter than grapes.

Sold as Honorabile but Historic Iris Preservation Society states most likely Sans Souci.  No fragrance, which I knew when I ordered this variety.  I liked the appearance, and in person it is better than I anticipated.  Ideal little iris for this bed.  I don't know what I should call it, but leaning towards Sans Souci, since that is probably the right name.

Flavescens.  Also unscented, and also ideal for this bed.

Helen Collingwood.  I think I already posted that so will hold off doing so again.  Also nice floral fragrance.

Iris/herb bed #2 is also coming along nicely.  Both got a dusting of crushed eggshells this weekend for calcium.

Caprice 1898

Quaker lady 1909

Pallida dalmatica 1597

Honorabile 1840 (Sans souci? 1854)

Flavescens