Those Wonderful Catalogues

Many iris catalogues have arrived, and as many of you have been doing, I just
placed some orders.  From Mid America Gardens (from whom I have always
received strong, healthy rhizomes), I just had to have Paul Blacks 1996
introduction TOM JOHNSON.  I have seen this iris in bloom twice, and wrote it
down as one to get each time.  It is dark purple with velvety falls and
(remarkably!) bright orange beards.  A real knockout.  Also, Paul Blacks
RUTH BLACK is another beauty of great distinction.  This one is difficult to
describeorchid violet base of standards blending to buff pink toward edges
which are laced.  Falls have pearl lavender center blending toward orchid
violet all covered with "diamond dust."  A real beauty!  While I was ordering
decided to get some older TBs Ive been wanting:  the lavender and yellow
BRIGHT N BREEZY, the fabulous THORNBIRD which is one of the very best space
agers, the late Joe Gattys gorgeous pink COMING UP ROSES, and two stunners
by , the near white and black TEMPTING FATE by D. Meek, and Barry Blythes
 white and brown CHOCOLATE VANILLA. Mid America Gardens catalogue is
$3.00and I know someone will ask, so Ill give address: 3409 N. Geraldine,
Oklahoma City, OK 73112-2806.

Brad Kasperek is doing some of the most exciting breeding of irises in the
U.S.  (Zebra Gardens, 2511 West 10950 South, South Jordan, UT 84095-8308).
 His work is for variegation both in flowers and in foliage.  He has only
been breeding irises since the late 80s, but has already made a real name in
the world of irises.  His TIGER HONEY which is butterscotch with yellow
streaks on standards and butterscotch and caramel stripes on golden yellow
ground with off-white streaking was a sensation at York.  I wrote in the AIS
Bulletin that every garden should have this striking iris in his gardenif
you dont like it I assure you every kid who comes will love it.  It is fun
and whimsy!  I just had to have Kaspereks sensational 1996 introduction
SPICED TIGER which was on the Christmas cards Brad sent out.  No one is going
to say this is just another tall bearded iris.  It is simply stated
DIFFERENT!  Light  brown sugar standards splashed white and golden at base.
 Mahogany falls streaked white with yellow shoulders over mahogany.  Brown
beards! 

Some people think only newcomers to the world can get excited over new
irises.  Wrong!  When I see irises like those above I still come close to
losing my senses.  Before the Internet I would have had to keep my enthusiasm
bottled upnow I can "let it all hang out."  Or as my wife might say, let
everyone know how nuts I can be.  Warm greetings to all, Clarence Mahan
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