Jim,
Thank you both for the info. With that it does sound unlikely they would be
the same. I wish "ease of growth and flowering" described it here!
I'll soon have a comprehensive index for SIGNA (through issue #75). The plan
is to wait until we get to 80 to publish it. I could send you a file if
you'd find it useful. In fact, I'd appreciate any comments you might have
Happy Holidays!
Rod
On 12/7/06 5:37 PM, "Jim Murrain" <jmurrain@kc.rr.com> wrote:
> Jim Waddick and I looked up the registration to help jog our
> memories. The following is from JW.
>
> Iris fulva 'Marvell Gold' is probably not the same as the "Arkansas
> Form". Here's the back ground of MG.
>
> This is mostly from the registration info and SIGNA checklist:
>
> Iris fulva 'Marvell Gold' was collected by Frank Chowning near the
> town of Marvell AR. in 1932. My late friend Bob Ward's wife, Janice
> worked as a secretary for Frank Chowning, a lawyer, in Little Rock,
> AR. It is unclear, but guessed that Mr. Chowning used this bright
> yellow I. fulva in his own hybridizing work, but I have not been able
> to trace this back. Janice and Bob have said that Mr Chowning was
> unwilling to share, name or introduce this iris, but retained it for
> his own breeding stock. They were eventually able to coerce a piece
> from Mr. Chowning and Bob spread this around some to friends. He
> gave a piece to Red Bud Lane Iris Garden who offered it for years
> (starting in 1986) simply as a yellow form of Iris fulva. Bob gave me
> a piece probably in the 1980's. I grew it for a number of years where
> it was admired by many for its good garden appearance. It is smaller
> and well suited to the perennial border. The bright yellow color and
> ease of growth and flowering make it a good all round garden subject.
> After Mr Chowning died ( in 1981), I discussed the topic of naming,
> registering and introducing with Bob Ward. I was merely a conduit,
> but did suggest the eventual name and registered it in 1991. It has
> been widely accepted as a good plant.
>
> I would describe the color as bright, clear yellow, not light yellow
> or buckskin (which suggest a pale tan-yellow).
>
> I doubt that the plant made it into cultivation early enough to fit
> any of the citations of Rodney's, and may not have come to Bob Ward
> much before 1980.
>
> That is all we can remember, hope it helps a little. Mr. Chowning did
> introduce 'Dixie Deb' and I bet 'Marvell Gold' is in her ancestry..
>
>
>
>
> Jim Murrain
> 8871 NW Brostrom Rd
> Kansas City, MO 64152-2711
> USA
> Zone 5b
>
>
>
