Wetland Iris Final Trials Report 2009 2011 Trials Office The Royal Horticultural Society Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB 1
RHS Trial of Wetland Iris Introduction to Wetland Iris This trial of Wetland Iris is mainly made up of Iris described as Japanese. This group consists of varieties from the hybrids of I. ensata and I. laevigata which are native to Japan and the oldest forms of Iris documented. Their flowers are distinguished by being quite flat compared with other Iris, with petals in one plane. Colours range from white, red, blue to violet, but with no natural yellow. They grow to 90-100cm in height and are best grown on the edges of water sources rather than in them. Objectives To assess, compare and demonstrate a range of cultivars submitted by individuals, raisers and nurserymen, following preliminary assessment by the Joint Iris Committee. Judging Entries were judged in 2011 by the Iris Sub Committee using a points system assessing the following attributes: Plant 35%, Stem 15%, Flower 30%, Presentation 20% Entries There were 38 entries in the trial, 19 of which were previous AGM winners as a display and point of reference. Cultivation Caliente mustard was sown in the prior trial beds in October 2007, flailed, rotovated and covered in April 2008. During summer 2008 the beds were rebuilt, topped up with Wisley compost and double-chopped manure to increase the organic matter content to improve drainage. The beds were then hand dug. The trial was replanted in early September 2008 from existing or submitted material; new entries in rows, three plants of each, spaced 70cm apart, with 80cm between each entry. The AGM display consists of two plants per cultivar and provides a standard of reference against which to judge the trial entries. Pine duff, locally sourced organic mulch derived from decomposed pine needles, was applied in late February 2009 to help retain moisture. Four drip lines per bed, either side of the plants, have been placed below the mulch to irrigate the trial, preventing the beds from drying out. Water is taken from an acid treated tank; this is lower in ph than the river water used for standard irrigation and is more suited to Wetland Iris cultivation. A top dressing of ammonium sulphate (nitrogen fertiliser) and sulphate of potash (potassium fertiliser) was applied during spring 2011. Each spring, once the main threat of frost has passed, the dead foliage of the previous year was removed. 2
Plants Receiving AGMs During Trial The following are the plants thought to fulfil the Award of Garden Merit criteria during the trial and to be worthy of receiving the award. The criteria which a plant needs to fulfil in order to receive the award are: excellent for ordinary garden use available from nurseries reasonably resistant to pests and diseases of good constitution essentially stable in form and colour reasonably easy to grow Hardiness ratings are as follows: H3 hardy outside in some regions; needs frost-free protection in winter H4 hardy throughout the British Isles Plants Awarded AGM Subject to Availability Iris Crystal Halo AGM (H4) 2011 [Trial No. 27] votes 8-2 Tetraploid with 6 falls; round with slightly pointed ends. Falls deep violet blue with distinct white rim Halo and yellow signal. Flowers are large, well proportioned and foliage is good, vigorous and green. Raiser: W Marx Sender: Mr C Russell Available from: The Iris Garden Trial Index and Senders Details No AGM Name Sender 1 1995 I. ensata'katy Mendez' Dr C McEwen 2 1996 I. ensata'returning Tide' Dr C McEwen 3 1995 I. ensata 'Continuing Pleasure' Dr C McEwen 4 1995 I. ensata 'Flying Tiger' Dr C McEwen 5 1995 I. ensata 'Southern Son' Dr C McEwen 3
6 1996 I. ensata 'Hue and Cry' Mr N S Payne 7 1999 I. ensata 'Caprician Butterfly' Mr N S Payne 8 1999 I. ensata 'Barr Purple East' RHS Wisley 9 1999 I. ensata 'Aldridge Visitor' Mr P E Allery 10 2005 I. ensata 'Frilled Enchantment' Me N S Payne 11 2005 I. ensata 'Alpine Majesty' The Iris Garden 12 1999 I. ensata Kozasa Gawa' RHS Wisley 13 2008 I. ensata 'Sandsation' The Iris Garden 14 2005 I. laevigata 'Regal Surprise' Mrs O Wells 15 2005 I. x robusta 'Dark Aura' Mr S Linnegar 16 20058 I. sibcolor 'Tango Music' ( TT Sibcolor hybrid) Mr C Bartlett 17 2005 I. sibcolor 'Mainestream Tempest' Mr C Bartlett 18 2005 I. sibcolor 'Mainestream Spring' Mr C Bartlett 19 2005 I. sibcolor Sdg SV4 Mr C Bartlett 20 Seuver Fourses' (I. pseudacorus x I. versicolor) Mrs T A Blanco White 21 I. laevigata 'Mysterious Monique' Mrs O Wells 22 Holden's Child' (I. pseudacorus x I. versicolor) Mrs T A Blanco White 23 I. ensata 'Enfane Prodige' Mr S Linnegar 24 I. versata 'Rivulets of Wine' The Iris Garden 25 I. ensata 'Freckled Geisha' The Iris Garden 26 I. ensata 'Hegira' Mr Alun Whitehead 27 I. ensata 'Crystal Halo' The Iris Garden 28 I. ensata Sdg GRAC 22/2000 Mr A Whitehead 29 I. ensata Sdg PWB06 Mr A Whitehead 30 I. ensata 'Bybrook Electric Storm' Kelways 31 I. ensata 'Bybrook Aileen Dadswell' Kelways 32 I. pseudata Sdg HG/TT-1 Dr T Tamberg 33 I. pseudata 'Kinshizen' Mrs O Wells 34 I. pseudata 'Kouryu' Mr S Linnegar 35 'Sunny Red Wine' Ken McLeod 36 I. ensata 'Aindling Libelle' Mrs O Wells 37 Belgium Warrior' Mr A Whitehead 38 Chesley's Choice' Mr A Whitehead 4
Senders A. Whitehouse, Aulden Farm, Aulden, Leominster, Herefordshrie HR6 0JT The Iris Garden, Yard House, Pilsdon, Bridport, DT6 5PA C/o The Trials Office; P. E. Allery, C. Bartlett, Mrs T. A. Blanco White, J. Hewitt, S. Linnegar, Dr C. McEwen (deceased) N. S. Payne, Miss N. K. Scopes, Dr T. Tamberg, Mrs O. Wells Source: Horticultural Trials and Relations, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB E-mail: trials@rhs.org.uk More information about RHS Trials and other colour illustrated reports can be found on the RHS Website: http://www.rhs.org.uk/trials 5