Happy Days

Sidney Mitchell, 1934
Iris Class:
Bearded
Bearded Class:
Tall Bearded
Age:
1930-1939
Fall Color:
Yellow
Standard Color:
Yellow
Pattern:
Self
Beard Color:
Lemon/Light Yellow
Hybridizer:
Mitchell SB
Rarity:
GG eligible - endangered

Full Description

TB 40″ EM Y4M

From the Salbach Iris Catalog for 1935: “A real triumph in yellow breeding which bids fair, in time, to become the most popular iris in the United States. An immense clear yellow most easily described as a yellow ‘El Capitan,’ although in established plantings the bloom will be slightly larger than those of the latter.

Perfectly branched, with each stalk carrying seven or eight massive blooms. Color, clear Pinard yellow, with the falls being a shade deeper than the standards, and the beard an attractive orange yellow. Unusual glistening finish.

Although deriving in size from its Dykes parentage, the use of a clear yellow seedling as the other parent has eliminated and tendency toward flecking and fading.

Blooms measure 7.25″ from top to bottom, and 3.25″ across the falls. Height 40″. Flowers through the season. We venture to predict that Happy Days will remain sensationally outstanding as long as the remarkable Frieda Mohr. Due to the heavy sale, we advise ordering early.”

From Cooley’s Gardens catalog for 1942: “A giant of a flower, smooth light yellow in color. Inclined to lush growth and in severe climates should be afforded some protection, but it amply rewards this extra care. For years it has commanded a rather high price but we can now supply it at a figure any gardener can afford.”

(Sdlg. 9331 X W. R. Dykes), HM 1935, AM 1937

Comment: “A huge flower that will bloom continuously early to late in the season. At Presby it has no protection and does just fine, alongside its famous parent W. R. DYKES.” – Laetitia, NJ

Provenance: Image 1,2 by L Munro from Presby Iris Gardens, circa 2007.