Greetings.
With intent to publish my findings, I have for several years been engaged in researching the horticultural history of Iris persica L..
There is an interesting paradox, I think, between the species' long, and richly documented history in gardens-- including gardens in North America as early as the eighteenth century-- and the often-repeated opinion that the Persian Iris is miffy, and nigh-impossible to keep. From the literature of the English speaking world-- horticultural literature and otherwise-- and to a lesser extent the literature of the Continent, from the past few centuries, I have extracted much fascinating information about its culture and lore. I have also been interested in hearing or reading any and all first hand accounts of experience with this species.
If anyone out there has personal experience growing or observing someone else grow the Persian Iris in any of its color variations, I invite you to contact me privately, and tell me what you know. I am also particularly interested in knowing whether anyone has ever seen the form which Sir Michael Foster called "typical," the pale sea green to greyed white form with the velvety black violet blotch and freckles surrounding a vibrant orange crest, the form illustrated as the first plate in the Botanical Magazine.
Thank you.
A. M. Whitehead
