Re: TB : assortment in Sweden

In a message dated 98-04-08 10:04:30 EDT, you write:

<<  Anner, in her reply to Gunnar about the "new" irises, said: 
 > There is one on this list I'd jump up  and bark like a seal for ... 
 and then never told us which one! Inquiring minds want to know...>>

Very well. It is MRS. ALAN GRAY.

Now, you must understand  that I've never seen this flower, indeed as far as I
know HIPS doesn't have a record at this time of her still being grown here,
although it probably is out there somewhere since it was listed by a couple of
American nurseries. Our HIPS records are voluntary and you know what that
means. 

She is a little British iris raised by Sir Michael Foster--who knew much about
irises--in 1909, and the 1939 Checklist says she is "cengialti X QUEEN OF
MAY". Cengialti, as I understand it, is a smaller, darker, subspecies of I.
pallida, and has been classified as an MTB. QUEEN OF MAY (Salter, before 1859)
is a venerable older "pink". The Cornell  Extension Bulletin 112, "Bearded
Iris: A Perennial Suited to All Gardens" (1925)  written by Austin W. W. Sand,
describes MRS. ALAN GRAY as a light phlox purple self--phlox purple is a pinky
lavender--which is reticulated--veined--slightly darker. Her beard is white,
tipped yellow in the throat, and dense. She is moderately vigorous, with
medium foliage, tall straight stems, probably rather bunchy, and the "dainty"
flowers are smallish, and produced early in the season. She occasionally
reblooms in the fall.  Her numerical rating is not terribly high in comparison
to some of the other irises in the Bulletin, but it is consistent with some
other very nice little irises of the period. I think her form might not be
much, but I think she sounds charming. You must  remember, though,  when I
speak of things that interest me that my taste is eccentric. I love the
species and the funny little primitive irises just as much as I revere the
superb triumphs of subsequent  generations.

As I have said in the past, I think anyone who is interested in bearded irises
of the period should treat themselves to a copy of the Cornell 112. It is a
fascinating document and the handsome fasimile sold by HIPS for eight dollars
is not going to be available forever. Pop up to the HIPS page for ordering
information (http://www.worldiris.com/ ) or drop Ruth Simmons of this list a
note. She is HIPS Publications Sales Chairman and can direct you further
(ruth@sonetcom.com). 

Hope your inquiring mind is well satisfied.

Anner Whitehead
Commercial Source Chairman
Historic Iris Preservation Society, AIS
Henryanner@aol.com, HIPSource@aol.com
"Don't let the old ones slip away!"
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