A Favorite Cross

I would like to share with you my most rewarding and favorite cross over the past 38 years involving Japanese irises, Iris ensata, ‘Night Angel’ (Aitken 1996) X ‘Frosted Intrigue’ (Bauer/Coble 1997).

‘Night Angel’ the pod parent
‘Frosted Intrigue’ the pollen parent

Looking to the background of the two parents you will find many different patterns, selves, rims, sanded, blazed, veined, and rays.

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Flower Forms of Japanese Iris

The iris family Japanese iris, Iris ensata has the most diverse flower forms of any other iris. This diversity has been achieved under the watchful eye of hybridizers in Japan over several hundred years of selective breeding, working with mutations within a single species.

Areas in Japan that bred Japanese iris with different flower forms

Secrecy of breeding stock within the different groups in Japan and the regional taste of perfecting what the perfect flower form should be, gave rise to distinct forms. Continue reading Flower Forms of Japanese Iris

Colors, Patterns of Japanese Iris

ColorsThere are only three colors found with Japanese iris red white and blue.

Japanese iris, Iris ensata besides the varied flower forms has some of the most diverse patterns that blend colors in the iris world.  This being said when there are only three colors at this time available to Iris ensata.  White or Alba, Red-violet, and Blue-violet, however these violet colors come in a full range of pale pastels to dark almost black in tone. Continue reading Colors, Patterns of Japanese Iris

Growing Japanese Iris

Transplanting

Growing Japanese iris, Iris ensata into magnificent clumps, demands moist acidic soils enriched with compost, and frequent division. Many of the iris family like to be lifted and divided every few years. Iris ensata’s growth habit demands to be lifted and divided every three to four years.  I personally recommend doing this every two to three years.  The crown of Iris ensata has a vertical growth habit instead of horizontal, like most other kinds of iris. Continue reading Growing Japanese Iris