Re: HIST: Williamsburg

Celia Storey wrote:>>Inspired by Anner's eloquent account of the antique
irises at home in Richmond, can anyone give us a similar overview of
cultivars that might be found loitering in colonial Williamsburg or parts
nearby?...Perhaps a scenic tour of Williamsburg mentioning notable stands of
venerable plants would get her noticing them.<<

Living within three miles of Colonial Williamsburg (the restored area), maybe
we can help answer your question. First a little history. Williamsburg was
the Colonial capital of Virginia until the Revolution. With the end of the
Revolution, the capital moved to Richmond, the Federalist period began and
Williamsburg became just another sleepy little town up a creek off the James
River. Therefore, Colonial Williamsburg (CW) lives in the 18th century. In a
movie shown at the information center, "The Story of a Patriot," George Wythe
offers to share some plants coming from Europe with the fictitious leading
lady. They are standing by an iris bed of purple TB's. The bed was in the
center of the back lawn and has since been removed.  

Because the iris has such a very long history, almost every type, except
Japanese, can be found in the restored area. At present the Germanic are in
bloom throughout the area. They are mostly a light purple or deeper lavender
and a clump or two are tucked in corners or next to fences throughout the
area. The flowers are small but they seem to be the only iris throughout
Williamsburg area that consistently survived the line of storms, with hail,
that went through southeast Virginia last Thursday and the heavy rain
Saturday morning. 

There are no "iris beds" in the restored area with one exception that we have
found so far. The lady who lives in one end of the Peyton Randolph house
(main house open to public) has planted a bed of TB's. The colors are muted
so they look like they could belong to a long ago era. There are several
clumps of dusty gold standards, light mauve falls and yellow beards.

In the formal gardens behind the Governor's Palace, these purple/lavender
clumps are formally spaced among other plantings around long grassy areas. In
the center of one end bed is one clump with velvet purple standards and falls
and yellow beards. Very impressive. The pond below the Palace has pseudacorus
in clumps around the shore line.

Dutch iris are blooming in the demonstration garden across from Bruton Parish
Church. The English and Siberians will bloom later.

At the College of William and Mary end of Duke of Gloucester Street (Richmond
Rd. & N. Boundary) there is a lovely small garden (W&M's) that includes iris
in its plantings. Outside of the restored area all types of iris are found.
Most are TB's. The local society (Virginia Peninsula, was Williamsburg) is
trying to educate the public to other iris possibilities.

Celia, if your sister-in-law lives in Williamsburg, James City Co or Bruton
District of York Co she can get a free Good Neighbor pass to CW. We hope this
has helped answer your question. If anyone is interested, we will post other
info as we see it.

Jim and Nelda Pressly, Williamsburg VA
Npressly@aol.com
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