In the catalog listings the name of the iris variety is shown first, then in brackets the hybridizer’s name and the year of introduction, followed by the written description of the variety, then height, time of bloom during season, awards received.
Iris component terms
Iris terminology, abbreviations and awards information used in our iris catalogue descriptive listings are explained as follows:
- Standards – the three upright petals on the flower
- Falls – the three lower petals on the flower
- Fan – the grouping of leaves growing from the rhizome
- Beards – thick bushy area found in uppermost area of falls
- Hafts – top part of the falls on either side of the beards
- Increases – reproductive new growth found on the sides of the rhizome
- Lace – serrations or frills on the outer edges of the petals
- Rhizome – thick bulb like underground stem from which grow the leaves and the true roots
- Stalk – stiff stem which holds up the flowers, may have branches also terminating in additional flowers
- Signal – a spot pattern of a different color found on the falls just below the beard
- Ruffles – pronounced waves in the petals
- Substance – thickness of the petals
- Texture – sheen or finish of the petals
Iris color pattern terms
- Amoena – white standards and colored falls
- Bicolor – standards and falls are different colors
- Bitone – standards and falls different shades of same color
- Neglecta – light blue standards and darker colored falls
- Plicata – marked with stipples or dots on lighter background
- Self – standards and falls are same color
- Variegata – yellow standards with typically darker brownish purple red falls
Key to our catalog abbreviations
A combination of codes is used when an iris blooms over an extended period. examples EML, EM, ML etc.
- H = Height in inches
- S = Season of bloom time
- E = Early bloom time
- M = Midseason bloom time
- L = Late bloom time
- VL = Very Late bloomtime
Iris Awards
Iris awards are given annually by the American Iris Society to irises that are judged to be of exceptional qualities. (these will usually have the year of the award shown after them. examples DM90, AM86, etc.)
- HM Honorable Mention
- AM Award of Merit
- DM Dykes Medal
- WM Wister Medal
Hello everyone! We are a society of iris lovers. Growing different kinds of irises – is our all-time favorite hobby. In our blog, you find detailed information about iris flower cultivation and fertilization. We will show you that gardening can be interesting and fun!