Hi all,

I am looking for a tough-as-nails, vigorous, ultra hardy white iris that is also very fragrant. Something like a white version of Iris pallida. Does such a thing exist? If it doesn't exist, what is the closest I could come to meeting all of these ideals?

Using the ATP "Iris Database" I came up with 21 possibilities. I searched for the following attributes:

White
Self
Pronounced Fragrance.

First: Click on the "Iris Database" on the Iris Forum's main page. (It is on the right side of the page towards the top). Then hit the "Search by Characteristics" on the top left of the search page. Then fill out what characteristics you want to search for.

Change the list by taking out "pronounced" and add "sweet".

When I first started reading your criteria I thought you must be trying to describe "Immortality" for some reason. But then I got to the "white version of I. pallida" part and decided probably not. Anyway, I'm not sure that any of my irises are as vigorous, and not many are more fragrant. It can be really pretty, but whites aren't my favorites, so I have a hard time getting thrilled about it. And it's sort of lacking in the substance dept.

Another thing to think about. The early hybridizers (1930s thru 1980s) were not too keen on fragrance so there is very little notation on it as to historical whites. Some may have it, but it is not noted in their descriptions submitted to the AIS when the iris was registered. That makes it a bit more difficult.

'Scented wonder' is really fragrant. but of course it isn't white.

Species Iris (Iris albicans)

cemetery iris

Good one, Frilly

I just noticed a Texas company called Antique Rose is offering the antique Cemetery Iris for sale if anyone is interested. I'm considering it, myself.

Teresa ~ Should you get that iris, please let us know how it turns out...and pictures, if possible.

I'm not sure I'd want a "Cemetery Iris" in MY garden, regardless of fragrance. Just saying.

I prefer more modern and ruffled irises, anyway. The one below is described as having pronounced sweet fragrance, plus it is a rebloomer. (I have it, I don't recall the fragrance, it has only bloomed once thus far but it hasn't rebloomed, which is probably due to bad culture.)

i have the one that marilyn/poly has, and it's as tough as nails, very substantial, and blooms and reblooms in my zone. huge stalks, outgrew it's pot (large nursery pot 15-20 gal?) the first year. the first year, when the nutrients were ideal, the stem was 1 1/2" in diameter. i am very pleased with this iris.

i am experimenting (at the moment) with a piece, to see if will grow where others will not. so far it hasn't died, but it may need more water?

Thanks for that report, Daphne. I'm about to dig and replace EMPIRE STRIKES BACK with COZY COTTON, and I was hoping to get some rebloom on it if I moved it to a sunnier spot (with consistent irrigation ).

Daphne and Marilyn ~ I may have to try Cozy Cotton. I have "gobs" of Immortality, which has never rebloomed for me. Right now they are in a separate bed, and getting more water. If I don't get any results...they may on next years' giveaway list. It rebloomed in other areas...maybe just not mine.

Fwiw, MY "Immortality" has also never rebloomed. I think I read somewhere once that there was an imposter going around, so I am increasingly suspecting that maybe that is what we have.

The database says the real IMMORTALITY is only 30", which is a little short for me (for a TB). EMMA'S LAUGHTER is 33" and has proven itself to be a rebloomer here (I have another rhizome sending up a stalk), so I guess the supposed IMMORTALITY gets added to the purge list. (The currently annoying candelabra stalk on EMMA started out with another branch which bloomed and displayed beautifully, so I am hoping that this new stalk coming up will also give me some good blooms.) Bonus points for being (slightly, sweetly) fragrant...

... though I suppose I must point out that EMMA'S LAUGHTER hints at being a bicolor as it has some pale charteuse in the center of the falls. (I personally don't care (until something better comes along ), but if you insist on the purest white, that might make a difference to you.)

vs Database images

EMMA'S LAUGHTER in my garden, morning sun and late afternoon/early evening shade:

Marilyn ~ Gosh...all these years...an imposter? Oh no! They grew, multiplied but since I divided them , now none of them bloomed this year. They are taking up valuable room. Maybe I'll get a fall bloom...

Immortality reblooms here, sometimes.

consider

it starts out light blue and fades to white so fast I consider it white
and it's kinda like pallida, extremely fragrant, tough as nails
here growing on the mountainside in sagebrush


It's prolific in the garden in growth and bloom. Early, and fragile. It's sad when it gets shredded in hail storms but there are many buds poised to fill in. I love it!
Be happy to send you some

For those who are having problems with Immortality, I had the same problem. Actually, it did not bloom that well in the spring, but was multiplying like crazy. I mentioned it to a member at our local iris society. She said it can be particular, if it likes its spot, it is indestructable. I moved mine from the back yard to the front, and it rebloomed that very fall and has never failed to rebloom since. Funny thing is, I left a rhizome in the back yard and it started reblooming then. I think I have a fake Immortality too though. I was given it years ago, looks just like Immortality but has never rebloomed. I "think" I gave it all away, but you know how iris can be. Likely to pop back up in a year or 2.

Dirt ~ Thank you for reminding me to experiment with planting irises outside of the fenced garden.

I am going to have to do it sooner or later anyway as the irises I now have will have to go, "somewhere"!

I figure that I will start off in the fall...and spraying with deer repellent on a regular basis. Maybe eventually they won't be interested...or, I will continue to spray.

Do you have deer where you live?

Oh yes we have deer! Thankfully they mostly stay in the vast wild spaces that they still have plenty of!
Lots of deer in that spot with the feral iris pictured--they tromp it regularly but have plenty of better stuff to eat.

Didn't Rob have deer traipsing through his iris garden? But I don't seem to recall him complaining that they ate the irises; his complaints were all about the wild turkeys and gophers.