Re: HYB: fragrance?

>How important is fragrance in winning awards for hybridizing?  It seems
>things such as color and size and vigor are very important, but I have
>yet to hear any mention of fragrances in the month or so that I've been
>on here.  What are some of the more famous cultivars for their unique
>aroma??
>
>Dennis Kramb; dkramb@tso.cin.ix.net
>Cincinnati, Ohio USA; USDA Zone 6; AIS Region 6
>Member of AIS, ASI, HIPS, RBIS, SIGNA, & Miami Valley Iris Society
>Primary Interests: Hybridizing Arilbreds, Raising Native Ohio Species Irises
Dear Dennis: I doubt that many irises have won awards based on their
fragrance. In the earlier years hybridizers were asked to describe the
fragrance of their introductions. A lot of disagreements on the subject
lead to the space for fragrance being dropped on the registration form. The
late Louise Smith of Williamsburg, VA started several robins on fragrance,
of which I was a member, and at her prodding, the space for fragrance on
the registration forms was reinstated.
  Oddly, there are a few people who do not want fragrance in an iris. There
are also varieties that would be better without the fragrance they  have.
For example, CAPITOLA, an arilbred, has the aroma of skunk! Many pinks have
a very musky smell. There is also the fact that some pests, like the
spotted cucumber beetle, are attracted to the fragrant irises, more than to
those without scent. This apllies, of course, only to the rebloomers.
   Some of my introductions are considered to have good fragrance:
IMMORTALITY, white,  JENNIFER REBECCA, rose-pink, SUGAR BLUES, blue.
Rebloomers in general seem to have more fragrance than the once-blooming
sorts.  Lloyd Zurbrigg in
Durham, NC
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