Watermelon

Waters, R. 1953 / I. 1954
Iris Class:
Bearded
Bearded Class:
Tall Bearded
Age:
1950-1959
Fall Color:
Mauve/Rose
Standard Color:
Mauve/Rose
Pattern:
Self
Beard Color:
Lemon/Light Yellow
Hybridizer:
Waters
Rarity:
GG eligible - endangered

Full Description

TB 32″ M

From Schreiner’s Iris Lover’s catalog for 1958: “This novelty, Iris which came from a cross of a flamingo pink and Dreamcastle, taxes our powers of description. It has been called the color of a partially ripe watermelon, but I would call it a blended rose of the Mary Randall type, though buffier. The flower is large and has heavy substance. The illustration on page 38 should have a light yellow beard. We like its unique color tone.”

From Cooley’s Gardens catalog for 1958: “A blending greenish light lemon and deep watermelon-pink … a cut watermelon not quite ripe. Extra large, with ruffled petals and very heavy substance.”

From Marble Iris Gardens catalog for 1962: “A novelty Iris that is hard to describe. It is a blend of greenish light lemon and deep watermelon-pink. The petals are ruffled and the substance heavy. The beard is a light yellow. It is an unusual but interesting flower.”

(Dreamcastle X SQ 72), HM 1954, AM 1956.

Note: The ‘SQ 72’ in the parentage is Loomis SQ72, a really famous parent which later was registered as Pike’s Peak Pink. – Phil Edinger