The beauty of Midway Village's Iris Garden is rooted in the vision of local iris enthusiast Dolores Avram, the prime donor of the collection that exceeds 60 different varieties.
Now you can purchase some of the amazing varieties for your own garden!
Thurs. Sept. 11 - 4:30 - 6:00pm
Cost: $15 per pot with 2-4 rhizomes per pot (the number depends on the size of the rhizome)
Varieties:
SANS SOUCI
Van Houtte, 1854
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED
AGE: BEFORE 1900
FALL COLOR: BROWN/RUST
STANDARD COLOR: YELLOW
PATTERN: VARIEGATA
BEARD COLOR: ORANGE/DEEP YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: VAN HOUTTE
Sans Souci is commonly confused with the iris Honorabile, but is distinguishable from Honorabile due to the veining on Sans Souci’s falls. The color intensity of the flower varies from year to year depending on weather conditions. The falls are a deep veined mahogany which contrasts nicely with the golden petals. A vigorous grower, it produces many small flowers. It is also sometimes referred to as Rebecca or Brilliant.
QUAKER LADY
Farr, 1909
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED
AGE: BEFORE 1900 - 1919
FALL COLOR: LAVENDAR
STANDARD COLOR: FAWN/BRONZE
PATTERN: BICOLOR
BEARD COLOR: ORANGE/DEEP YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: FARR
BLOOM SEASON: LATE
The colors of the flowers of Quaker Lady are reminiscent of a Quaker woman’s dress. Late bloomer. Vigorous growth with numerous blooms, multiplies quickly. Created by Bertrand Farr, a Pennsylvania nurseryman who strived to make iris one of the signature plants in early 20th century American gardens. One of the best loved American iris of all time.
HONORABILE
Lemon, 1840
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: MINIATURE TALL BEARDED
AGE: PRE 1900
FALL COLOR: RED/MAROON
STANDARD COLOR: YELLOW
PATTERN: VARIEGATA
BEARD COLOR: YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: LEMON
BLOOM SEASON: MIDSEASON
Honorabile was grown along with the variety Sans Souchi, by Seraphin Mottet, one of the top two or three iris breeders in the world at the time. Mottet noted the distinguishing characteristic between Honorabile and Sans Souchi is that the falls on Honorabile are not veined. Honorabile was carried across the American prairies by pioneers, and is found in many old gardens, cemeteries and abandoned homesites. It is a vigorous grower with many blooms.
I PALLIDA DALMATICA
Lamarck, pre 1900
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED
AGE: BEFORE 1900
FALL COLOR: DEEP LAVENDER
STANDARD COLOR: LAVENDRR
PATTERN: SELF
BEARD COLOR: LEMON/LT YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: LAMARCK
BLOOM SEASON: MID TO LATE
I Pallida is one of the original species iris from which today’s bearded iris are descended. It is good for mass planting as well as for cut flowers. In Italy, I Pallida is grown for use in the perfume industry- the fragrance actually comes from the rhizomes which are peeled by hand and then dried for 5-6 years. The plant has tall stems and large lavender/periwinkle flowers with deeper purple falls. The iris is very hardy, is resistant to borers, has strong 3’ stems and excellent foliage.
FLAVESCENS
De Candolle, 1813
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED
AGE: BEFORE 1900
FALL COLOR: YELLOW
STANDARD COLOR: YELLOW
PATTERN: SELF
BEARD COLOR: LEMON/LT YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: DECANDOLLE
Flavescens is an heirloom cultivar of uncertain origin first introduced in 1813 and found in Switzerland, and alpine regions of Austria, France, and northern Italy. Naturalized populations can be found growing along roadsides and in old residential properties and cemeteries throughout the eastern U.S. Nicknames include ‘Lemon Yellow Iris’ and ‘yellow country iris.’ The fragrant blooms are a light lemon-yellow in color, and are held above dense, sword-like foliage on sturdy stalks up to 3' tall.
GRACCHUS
Ware, 1884
IRIS CLASS: BEARDED
BEARDED CLASS: INTERMEDIATE BEARDED
AGE: PRE 1900
FALL COLOR: RED/MAROON
STANDARD COLOR: YELLOW
PATTERN: BICOLOR
BEARD COLOR: LEMON/ LIGHT YELLOW
HYBRIDIZER: WARE
BLOOM SEASON: EARLY
Gracchus was developed in the late nineteenth century during early attempts by Thomas Ware to cross breed in order to develop improved iris varieties. At the time, it was seen as quite a sensation and was honored by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1885. Interestingly, at one time it was on several “Black Lists” of iris that were considered unworthy of further propagation, (including the American Iris Society in 1928), but that is no longer the case!
IRIA LACTEA
Pre 1500
IRIS CLASS: BEARDLESS
BEARDED CLASS: NA
AGE: PRE 1500
FALL COLOR: PALE BLUE TO VIOLET
STANDARD COLOR: WHITE WITH BLUE VEINING
BLOOM SEASON: LATE SPRING
Iria Lactea has been grown since the 14th century, and is so common in China it is simply called “Iris.” It is native to Central Asia, the Himalyas, Mongolia and Korea. Delicate pale blue or violet flowers last 2 to 3 weeks, and the plant has abundant draping linear leaves. The plant is highly adaptable to drought conditions and the rhizomes spread freely.
PLEASE NOTE THE PICTURE ABOVE IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF VARIETIES FOR SALE.
Also check out other Workshops in Rockford.
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