Re: TB: Ideal Flower Form

From: hipsource@aol.com

In a message dated 3/21/00 11:18:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
lmann@mailhub.icx.net writes:

<< A while back we got in a discussion of what we like for form of TBs. And I 
discovered after hunting thru catalogs for a picture of what I consider 
"perfect" that there was no such thing.  
 
Well, that is fine with me. Perfect comes and perfect goes.

I like all kinds of forms. I like the fluffy ones and the tailored ones and 
the lilting ones and the droopy ones and the squattybodies, too, if the iris 
in question is appealing as a whole. Sometimes a formal variation works 
visually, and some times it does not. The form I like least in a TB is 
horizontal falls and conical or short open standards. They look astonished, 
or like victims of a stick-up. These also tend to have a bloom that is too 
small for the rest of the plant and they don't carry very well in the garden.

I also usually prefer that the parts of the flower not be grossly overwide, 
although such formal variations as that of LEDA'S LOVER and EDITH WOLFORD are 
entirely aceptable to me when the hybridizer knows what he/she is doing. I 
really don't dig those broad unruffled falls that look like cow tongues 
hanging out.

Typically I like fluffiness best in pastels, and more tailored darks. As I've 
mentioned before, I think Opal Brown had a superb sense of form, and I'd join 
those who say that it rarely gets better than SILVERADO. I don't care for 
AFTERNOON DELIGHT at all, from the standpoint of form or any other. I really 
like the things that have a regal classic proportion and modern 
embellishments. Pictures of that light Schreiner pink self called MY GIRL 
look pretty good to me.

As I said, I like variety. One day last year the mixed-age bed peaked and it 
was fascinating. I told Gerry earlier when we were talking about this that it 
was like an  jewel box with all sorts of interesting precious stones glowing 
in the sun, all sorts of colors, all sorts of shapes. Stately smooth oldies 
in rich tones of amethyst and garnet, giddy newer ones in pink tourmaline and 
citrine, ruffled neglectas in sapphires, variegatas in tones in tones of ruby 
and topaz. Big ones, dinky ones, oblong ones, round ones, stripy ones, furry 
ones, and every form you can imagine, all bringing out out the best in each 
other. This was both beautiful and interesting because the irises really 
stood out as individuals. 

Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com

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