Re: CULT: TBs exceeding expectations

Continuing with the list of TBs that exceeded expectations, I am making the 
following contributions:  All of these have bloomed at least two seasons in my 
garden.

BRAZILIAN HOLIDAY  -  I almost missed this one.  I was not impressed with the 
catalog picture and the description didn't get my attention.  It was sent to me as an 
extra, and when it bloomed, I was smitten.  Light lavenderish white stds. over the 
plum falls make a nice color combo.  But, what is so outstanding and unexpected 
was its masculinity.  Husky stalks and really heavy substance.  Strong growth, too. 
Not a wimp that has to be coddled.

CANARY DELIGHT  -   A shockeroo, totally unexpected from a peanut-sized 
rhizome from the East.  Yellow amoena with a big white rim, this can be seen from  
afar and not mistaken for something else.  It is almost as husky as BH, but delicate 
in color.  Having gone unnoticed for nearly three years, it got its HM last year after 
being seen at the PA/MD convention, just in the nick of time.  Folks, this has Dykes 
quality..  From little acorns grow might oaks!

CHARLIE'S CLOUD  -   Again, an extra.  I would not have ordered this and reading 
the description, I thought, "Ho hum. another pastel blue."  Even finding out that it 
came from Breakers x Honky Tonk Blues didn't do anything.  I started not to plant it.
But, I did.  Light blue standards and white falls,  how bland can you get?   But, when 
it blooms, you'll change your mind like I did.  A sculptured master carving in ice!  
Beautifully branched with ruffled flowers.  A winner of souls.  Converted me!

COLOR GLORY  -   The same says it.  What color is this?  Rose purple?  
Whatever, it is distinctive.  Not the same-o, same-o.  Blooms late but does not fade 
or burn.  Strong stalks with flowers of substance to defy the heat here.  Sensible
growth patterns.

INFERNAL FIRE  -  Described as gaudy by some. Not your typical broken color 
streaks or random splotches.  Red just daubed on gold without a brush.  No two 
flowers alike, but wonderful to watch each bloom open with a different pattern.
Fantastic grower.  Well branched, etc.

PENNY LANE  -   Cook Cup winner in Dallas in 2000.  Excellent orange with
lighter stds.  Seems to be in bloom forever, I don't know what the bud count is.
Glows from afar.  No negative characteristics here.

ROMANTIC EVENING  -   Thought to be a breeder's iris only and not even 
introduced by the hybridizer.  Breeder?  Yes and no.  Might be a tad narrow, but the 
color combination of dark lilacstds. and red-black falls with  red beards sells it to 
everyone. Color catalog pictures never capture it correctly.  It is much prettier in life 
than on paper.  AM winner and candidate for a Wister, and you call it a breeder's 
iris?  More than just that.

SHOPTALK   -  One of the greatest irises of all time without even an HM!  
Circulated too late for awards.  Hard to describe the color, but the Checklist
says cerise-purple.  It's the very best of that mix on the palette.  Super, show 
branching with three flowers open, but blooms after all the shows!  :-(  A
strong grower that resists rot.  Definitely an iris for people who can't grow irises!

SUNNY PEACH  -  Huge peachy pink that didn't bloom late as registered in the 
Checklist.  Bloomed mid-season at show time two years ago and got more orders 
than I could fill.  Impressive, wide foliage on a well-behaved plant.  Again, this was 
sent as an extra, and turned out to be better than what I ordered.  Can I pick 'em?

WIDDERSHINS  -  A picture of this was circulated on the internet before the AIS 
Bulletin ad came out and I fell for it early.  Not to be mistaken for any other, it has 
unusual shades of rose brown and honey yellow with darker brown borders.  
Supposed to bloom ML, but it is one of the first TBs in bloom here.  Great bud count 
and branching.  The only drawback might be the name, but you might just spin 
counter-clockwise when you see it in bloom.

The above irises will be around for a long, long time in my garden.  They are well-
worth the effort, and I am proud to show them off and tell you about them.

Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS USA 7/8


 

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