Reticulate Iris - 2016

[PeterT]

Iris "Winowgradowii Alba" this morning.

[ashley]

Beautiful irises Peter and Ian, as indeed are all the others above.

[PeterT]

Thanks Ashley.
 I have just noticed the first flower on Iris winowgradowii its self, opening in one of these pictures. Much earlier than usual and I missed it this morning.

[Lewis Potter]

Can you get seeds of Iris danfordiae? All I can find is the tetraploid clone, I understand that form is sterile.

[PeterT]

I find the diploid form of I danfordiae difficult to grow, I have grown it from seeds to flowering, but I have never managed to get seeds from it.

[ian mcenery]

One of my favorites Ian. Mine came from the Wallises years ago as a tiny bulb
Iris zagrica seedlings with a flower here this morning, from JJA seed.

Mine came from the same source I think in 2011 let's hope it grows a little faster

Nice zagrica Peter mine are a little behind yours

[ian mcenery]

Beautiful irises Peter and Ian, as indeed are all the others above.

Thanks Ashley

I do like reticulatas when they grow outside . I just love the tapestry that all spring bulbs make. Spring is sprung

[Yann]

Iris reticulata var. caucasica x histrioides 'Atilla' by Alan, hybrid 91-DR-2

[johnstephen29]

That's a mouthful of a title Yann for a lovely little iris.

[arilnut]

First iris this year outside in zone 6.
Alan's   Debonair

John B

[Steve Garvie]

Iris hyrcana A dark form obtained from Leonid Bondarenko of Lithuanian Rare Bulbs.

[Tasmanian Taffy]

Love that Iris Hyrcana  Steve absolutely stunning and a beautiful photo as usual

[PeterT]

Iris hyrcana A dark form obtained from Leonid Bondarenko of Lithuanian Rare Bulbs.

Perhaps a mixed lable? This looks like an Iris bakeriana, or hybrid.... perhaps Clairette?

[Steve Garvie]

Perhaps a mixed lable? This looks like an Iris bakeriana, or hybrid.... perhaps Clairette?

Thanks for your suggestion. I haven't mixed labels.
It was bought as "Iris hyrcana Dark" from Leonid Bondarenko, a normally reliable source. Beyond that I have no knowledge of its provenance. For what it's worth the plant seems to be different to the image shown in Leonid's catalogue.
That said I struggle to see the difference between Iris hyrcana and some forms of I. reticulata.

[PeterT]

Iris reticulata is very variable,  and to some extent the variability follows a geographic pattern. I do not understand all the forms, but the hyrcana types, such as the one I showed above, Kuh-e-Abr, and the long cultivated miniature also pictured above have a chalky colour, sometimes veering to purple, (as in Talysh Form),straight sided hafts widening to the point where the fall bends down, and quadrangular leaves. I think that they come from north eastern Iran.
Iris bakeriana has a more spindly flower, -hafts more parallel with an octagonal leaf cross section, though there is supposed to be a hexagonal form and other variation. I think that I bakeriana is found in the south west of Iran. Leonid's site does show a darker form of hyrcana, but it is purple, within the range of Talysh form.