I like the second one of the three best, like the markings on the falls.

I really didn't want to show you guys my thistle patch, so don't look too closely. This is a sib to 'Primal Shadows' (Davis 2013) and shows the pinkness in the base of the standards. This is a cross of 'Peace and Harmony' (Ghio) X 'Spring Tidings' (Shoop) and somehow came out with better form than either of them. Spring Tidings keeps it from being a great grower but it is a nice flower.

Dennis -- didn't you get your Dundee from me? Mine looks better -- not so dog-eared:



You're right though -- old-fashioned form for sure!!

Marvin -- that's a gorgeous flower. I love the pink hiding inside. And the veins. Beautiful form, as well. And don't worry about the thistles -- weeds are a never-ending battle!!

You didn't answer my question about your avatar..............???

BTW Marvin -- stunning photography on that flower!!

Muddymitts said:Dennis -- didn't you get your Dundee from me? Mine looks better -- not so dog-eared:



You're right though -- old-fashioned form for sure!!

Marvin -- that's a gorgeous flower. I love the pink hiding inside. And the veins. Beautiful form, as well. And don't worry about the thistles -- weeds are a never-ending battle!!

You didn't answer my question about your avatar..............??



We sure have come a long way since then, Mary Ann

AS to the avatar, Mary Ann. Thought you would never ask. It is a little artwork that I did. I used to be a little bit of an artist. Anyway if you click on it and then click again you can see full size that I did a photoshop watercolor or something on it. I like to do that when I have time.

Anyway it is a seedling of mine from about fifteen years ago. N9-081-3B to be exact. The parentage looks like this. ( 'Edith Wolford' X (Shipshape x Skyhooks))

Though it has a space age in the parentage I have never seen a trace of it on it or it's pollen parent.
I still grow it here somewhere.

Marvin, I like thistles (as long as I don't unexpectedly get up close and personal with one). If I had more land, I'd plant some. National flower of Scotland and since my paternal relatives are mostly Scottish... Beautiful bloom.

I love the first blue on page 3 with orange-red? in the beard.

I dropped in today after a long time away, and this thread was a delight. So many beautiful irises. In one of the early batches was one with white ground and reddish lines--a sort of red version of "Circus Circus." That's something I would definitely pay for. The comments are always enlightening, seeing what other people find attractive. I'm almost always struck by how much everyone else seems to love ruffles. I guess it's not surprising, but the strong preference for frilly irises does mean that those of us in the minority who prefer tailored form probably aren't going to get very many--supply and demand. On just a gut level, though, it makes me sick to think that that creamy iris with the striking purple styles was rejected partly for the very reason that I would have snapped it up. And that Mohr-esque blue is stunning. Hmmm . . . . I guess I'll just have to learn how to hybridize my own if I ever want to see such things in person--good luck with that, Brett!

Good to see you back Brett, I was beginning to think you had been in hibernation.

Hi Brett -- welcome back!! Don't go away any more! Which "Mohr-esque blue" are you referring to?

Well Marvin? You have impressed me again!! An artist in two venues. The seedling is breathtaking, and your artwork wonderful. I have come to the conclusion that what you need is an apprentice -- someone who would work for free to help you expand your seedling project, in exchange for accessing your knowledge on hybridizing. That would be a win-win situation for everyone.

Thanks for the good comments Brett. I have lots more but I am down right now with the worst cold I have had in many years. Just kinda layin' around.

Marvin -- I've got the same thing. It's been hanging on for two weeks. I'm SO tired of it. And tired. Caught me by surprise -- I never get sick.

I hope you get better soon.

I hope you all get better soon and get your energy back before spring days!!!

Hope you guys had flu shots.

Thanks, Tom & Mary Ann, it's great to be reminded what a nice crowd this is. Sorry to hear that folks are sick. Like Mary Ann, I rarely get very sick, but this year's cold got me good. I'm still not 100%, and it started on Christmas Eve.

By "Mohr-esque blue" I meant the tailored one that Marvin said he wished he had kept--the one Mary Ann said reminded her of Dundee. It reminded me of some of the historic arilbreds (which I think were at the time sometimes called Mohr irises), especially William Mohr. Do you know whether that one had any aril genes, Marvin?

HI Brett, I am sure there was no aril in that one. I can probably find the parentage if I really tried.

I have only had one aril over the years and it died a slow and painful death down on the west end of the house. Where I thought it might like the dry and hot conditions. I do admire them and would like to grow one or two if I knew some that were friendly to the Midwest.

Quarterbreds are the most friendly ones.

Good to know, Lucy. I'm putting in several this year, but I'm not sue what % they are. I guess I should look it up so I know! I figured that with my sandy soil, and super drainage, they would do at least, OK....Arlyn