Re: Iris popularity (was: The Commercial Nursery)

In a message dated 97-01-23 04:52:46 EST, you write:

<< Now there's an interesting observation.  I would be  _very_  interested in
  hearing why this is so.
  -price?
  -familiarity?
  -disenchantment with the form of the modern iris?>>
 
 The answer to this is all three, especially the first and last. UK gardeners
 (especially with the ongoing vogue for "cottage" gardening) are
uncomfortable
 with some of the more brightly coloured, flared and heavily ruffled newer
 varieties. We also price them higher (at least #5) due to stock limitations.
 
 Ian goes on to say: >>

My experience has been different, Ian.  The historic irises on my price list
were, for the most part, priced higher than other bearded irises...in fact,
many considerably higher, such as RHEINGAUPERLE (G & K, 1924) for $15.00
because I had limited stock.  In many cases, such as RHEINGAUPERLE, I.
florentina, ALBICANS and QUEEN OF MAY, the higher I raised the price the
greater the demand, and I often depleted my stock. 

I would note, however, often I had cultivars not available elsewhere, and
targeted the Victorian garden and home restoration markets.  Landscapers who
specialize in historic gardens are a great source of sales for historic
irises.  So are historic building preservation groups.  Clarence Mahan in VA
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