Historic Irises have been cultivated for 30 years
or more and have proven over time to be the most
reliable and hearty irises of all.
| SAN FRANCISCO |
|
|
| WINNER OF FIRST DYKES MEDAL in 1927 |
Since 1927, the Dykes Memorial Medal
(named for the British Botanist Wm.
R. Dykes - author of
The Genus Iris) has been conferred upon the ONE iris considered
to
be the best in North America for that year. San Francisco (above)
was the first winner of this award.
| CIRCUS STRIPES |
|
|
| Introduced in 1975 |
These are photos of some historics
grown in
His Iris Garden.
| DAUNTLESS |
|
|
| Dykes Memorial Medalist 1929 |
| I. FLORENTINA |
|
|
| Collected and described during 1st Century AD |
Modern tall bearded irises are descendants of the ancient lavender, white and yellow
naturally occurring iris clones. These were collected in North Africa,
the
Middle East and the Mediterranean region centuries ago
and
have been grown and preserved by gardeners ever since.
I.
Florentina (above) was collected and described in the writings of Dioscorides
the Greek Botanist
and Physician during the 1st Century AD. It was probably a source
of the large
quantities of "orris root" - used as a medicine (laxative) and cosmetically for centuries.
| SWERTI, 1612 |
|
|
| NATURALLY OCCURRING HYBRID |
SWERTI, is a naturally occurring hybrid. It was collected
and cultivated by a man named "Swerti" in the year 1612.
This 400 + year old iris is actually a Tall Bearded Iris. The stems
are about 32 inches high and it offers an interesting bloom size
contrast amid the larger newer cultivars.
| I. ALBICANS |
|
|
| OLDEST KNOWN HISTORIC IRIS |
I. albicans (Collected by Lange, 1860) is a naturally occurring hybrid
sometimes known as the Yemmen Iris in older texts. This early blooming clear white self with slender and smooth petals is
thought to be one of the oldest irises in the world.
Paintings from 1400 BC on the walls of Egyptian tombs depict a white
iris similar to I.Albicans. The plant is hearty and prolific, offering an ancient contrast in any garden.
| I. Pallida Variegata |
|
|
| The Zebra Iris introduced in 1896 |
| SIERRA BLUE, Introduced in 1932 |
|
|
| DYKES MEDALIST 1935 |
| SWAN BALLET Introduced in 1953 |
|
|
| Dykes Medalist 1959 |
| SAMBUCINA |
|
|
| Collected by Linnaeus around 1759 |
| BUTTERFLY WINGS, 1945 "Arilbred" |
|
|
| Honorable Mention 1947 |
