Iris orientalis - sources?

>From: Amy Rupp <amyr@magic.mpd.tandem.com>
>Subject: spurias and aril-breds?
>Sender: iris-l@rt66.com
>Date: Fri, 13 Sep 1996 15:46:48 -0600 (MDT)
>
> Our droughty summer and having to water with our very alkaline
> irrigation water had me wondering   <snip>

The mention of summer dry, alkaline soils, reminds me of one of the
reasons I just subscribed to this group.  Here in the Mediterranean
climate zones of California, summer dormant bulbs, tolerant of high
PH, are quite appropriate.  I've been growing a form of Iris
orientalis for a while now, slightly different from those found in
vacant lots and abandon gardens, either with egg-yolk yellow or
white with a yellow mark flowers.  These plants grow without any
assistance, and often thrive regardless of the owners preference
(many locals distain anything they do not actually plant
themselves!).  Many people, seeing these plants on dumpsites and
waste areas, think of them as weeds.  I find them to be a beautiful,
tall (3-5ft), robust iris that is well adapted to our climate.

Anyway, the form I have, from the front of an old victorian house in
our neighborhood, has yellow flowers, heavily overlain with a
network of brownish veins, creating a very interesting effect.
There are other forms (hopefully) still in this garden, but the
owner has been a little less than helpful in my efforts to save them
(they are gradually being eliminated due to some 'redevelopment'
this current owner is doing to the garden).  I know one had a clean
white flower, with a yellow mark, than was also randomly splashed
with an inky blue!  Quite wonderful!

So, my question is, are there others who grow this species?  Are
there forms available somewhere?  I one saw some flowers at a
florist which looked remarkably like this species, in a range of
interesting shades, but was unable to extract any real information
from the florist or her supplier!  I saved some seed in the past,
and send it to Dan Hinkley (Heronswood Nursery, Kington WA) who was
listing this species in his catalog.  Hopefully, someday he might
find he has a few interesting forms, but as yet they have now
flowered for him.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 H O R T U L U S  A P T U S - 'a small garden suited to its purpose'
 Sean A. O'Hara
 710 Jean Street, Oakland, CA  94610-1459        sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 (510) 987-0577
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