Zurbrigg irises

Since we're discussing rebloomers and I had mentioned the form and color of
RENOWN, I had intended to comment further on some of Lloyd Zurbrigg's other
irises.  In the interim, I received a message off-list from one of our list
subscribers, who felt that my remark about RENOWN disparaged Lloyd's work.  My
exact quote about RENOWN, which had just rebloomed in my garden, was,
"Unfortunately, its color and form are still as unappealing as ever."  I have
responded to the person who wrote to me off-list, but in case anyone else got
that impression, I will just list those of Lloyd's irises which I grow or have
grown:  BABY BLESSED, BROTHER CARL, CLARENCE, EARL OF ESSEX, GRACE THOMAS,
HARVEST OF MEMORIES, I BLESS, I DO, IMMORTALITY, JENNIFER REBECCA, LATEST
STYLE, MOUNTAIN GREENERY, RENOWN, SILVER TRUMPETS, SPIRIT OF MEMPHIS and
VIOLET MIRACLE.  Of these, I have deliberately discarded only one and, as
mentioned, I don't care for RENOWN.  I'd say that a score of 14 out of 16
ain't bad.  Several of the above are also in the pedigrees of a number of my
seedlings and in two of my registered seedlings.  As to Lloyd's work, anyone
acquainted with the world of irises is well aware of Lloyd's pioneering work
in rebloomers and of the numerous beautiful irises that he produced.  And
those of us lucky enough to have been able to spend time with him have warm
remembrances of his generous sharing of hybridizing experience and of our
enjoyment of his wider-ranging knowledge, interests and talents.  His stature
and his accomplishments, I am confident, aren't  going to be diminished by an
individual's comment about how one of his cultivars suits his taste.

Turning to the others of Lloyd's irises that I, particularly, am concerned
with, I would list, first, JENNIFER REBECCA (Grace Thomas X Vanity),
Avonbank,1984.   Don Spoon often used to say that JR was the most beautiful
iris he'd ever seen, rebloomer or no.  It has exceptional beauty and grace, in
my opinion, and I have been working doggedly for 10 years to try to get it to
set seed again.  The first year that it bloomed for me, 1994, I got pods on it
from three different pollen parents.  The hellacious wet, icy winter of 1995
wiped out whole rows of my seedlings, including all of the JR seedlings.  I've
never been able to get another pod, but will continue trying, because its
color, form and branching are just as good now, in my opinion, as they were a
decade ago.

SPIRIT OF MEMPHIS (68-43-RYB: (Miss Illini x Grand Baroque) X Halloween
Party), Avonbank 1977, is in many of my seedlings.  I don't recall its brassy
yellow color coming through, but its distinctive saucy form comes through
again and again.

SILVER TRUMPETS (NN 32-2-3, Baby's Nook sib, X Mesmerizer), Friendship 2003 is
a newcomer in my garden and I am looking forward to certain crosses with it in
the spring.

LADIES' NIGHT (Holy Night X Lady Friend), Friendship 1997.  I have wanted this
red-violet beauty since I first saw it in Lloyd's garden, but circumstances
have intervened to prevent it.  Maybe I'll get lucky.

I'm attaching photos of two of my registered seedlings involving SPIRIT OF
MEMPHIS which are waiting in the wings.  --  Griff

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