Re: Re: CULT: Iris display gardens



On 10 Aug 01, at 9:43, Linda Mann wrote:

> Bobby Moose in NC wrote:
> <I am not familiar with any prior discussions relating to iris display
> gardens except for a brief note in an old Bulletin discussing "test" or
> "trial" gardens.  I think the notion of "display" gardens is quite
> different from those and welcome further discussion or suggestions to
> improve this new feature on the Iris Moose website.>

> Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
> 
> 
  In an old Bulletin?

 Linda, why I remember test gardens and I am sure that Neil does, too!
Yes, the term iris 'test garden' meant something totally different 
from what some people are calling display gardens, which, I think, 
one can just sign up for.

Test gardens were approved by the AIS and were operated under strict 
guidelines.  Data was recorded for each cultivar and often printed 
and released upon request.  A lot of people were involved with a test 
garden which was usually sponsored by an AIS section or local iris 
society.  The Fort Worth Iris Society sponsored two such test gardens 
as I recall.  Both were at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden behind a ten 
foot chain-link fence.  The gate was locked, and only members of the 
FWIS could get a key at the desk of the Garden Center to enter the 
garden.  I remember this very well because I lost the key somewhere 
in the garden during one of my visits!  Fortunately, the Garden 
Center had duplicates.

Another tidbit about test gardens that confused people was that there 
was a commercial garden in Walla Walla, WA bearing the name Iris Test 
Gardens.  To my knowledge, it was strictly commercial and not 
involved in 'testing.'  I think it was founded by Austin Morgan, sold 
to a Mrs. Mathews, and then bought back by Austin Morgan in his later 
years.  Some may recall Austin introducing for Jeanette Nelson.  
STUNNING came from Iris Test Gardens back in the seventies and has 
produced ECSTATIC ECHO, which Schreiner's still sells, and the more 
modern LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION, produced by Lowell Baumunk.  
STUNNING SENERADE and MOST STUNNING came somewhere in between.
Not very many seventies or eighties irises are still being used as 
parents, but STUNNING still is.

More than you wanted to know . . .

Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS USA 7/8 (2.5" of rainfall today, meaning I cannot dig 
orders tomorrow as I had planned)


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