Re: TB:Dykes Medal

I grow both Mesmerizer and Clarence.  Both are beautiful; both have their problems in my garden.  Clarence pineappled and threatens to bloom out.  Mesmerizer stalks tend to fall over.  One that had a good pod that I wanted fell over and broke off in a recent wind.  I don't grow Rhonda F. but my opinion after seeing her in other gardens is identical to yours.  I'm glad I'm not a judge yet, so I don't have to vote; but I would guess Clarence too.
Francelle Edwards  Glendale, AZ
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bill Shear 
  To: iris-talk@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 7:44 AM
  Subject: [iris-talk] TB:Dykes Medal


  >(Thinking about the Dykes and the chances for
  >RHONDA FLEMING, CLARENCE,  and MESMERIZER.   Which one really
  >qualifies? Only the Shadow knows).

  Of the mentioned iris, I grow only 'Mesmerizer'.  It is terrific. 
  Not only a unique and beautiful bloom, but vigorous and 
  long-flowering. After the devastating rot of last year, I expected no 
  bloom, but 'Mesmerizer' proceeded to produce several stalks from a 
  3-year clump.  Not only that, but the stalks were produced in series, 
  so that 'Mesmerizer' was one of the first to bloom and is still in 
  bloom at this writing, almost 4 weeks later.  I predict a long future 
  for this variety, which in a few years will be in all the general 
  nursery catalogs and will sell by the tens of thousands.

  I've seen 'Clarence' in several gardens, and it, too, is wonderful, 
  with the added bonus of reliable rebloom.  Now that "Space Age (a 
  corny name I hate--oooh, space age, neato keeno)" iris have won the 
  top prize a couple of times, maybe this year we will recognize a 
  rebloomer.  Like 'Mesmerizer' it is a topnotch commercial variety 
  already making inroads into the nonspecialist market.

  'Rhonda Fleming' was a standout at the OKC convention, but to my mind 
  lacks that special something the other two exhibit.

  All three are deserving as plants--OK, so where's my bet?  On 
  'Clarence.'  Imponderable factors here: Lloyd Zurbrigg is overdue for 
  a medal.  The variety is named after the (justly) popular president 
  of AIS.  Some might feel that a third posthumous Dykes for Monty 
  Byers might just be overdoing it a little.

  By the way, we got an inch of much-needed rain last night.  A chance 
  for more this evening, so it is said, and I hope it is true.  We're 
  working on a 4.5" deficit so far this year.
  -- 

  Bill Shear
  Department of Biology
  Hampden-Sydney College
  Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
  (804)223-6172
  FAX (804)223-6374
  email<wshear@email.hsc.edu>
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  never have earned it"

  --Henry David Thoreau, Journals, 1842.

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