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!

When: Thurs. Sept. 7 - 4:30 - 6:30pm

Cost: $15 per pot with 2-4 rhizomes per pot (the number depends on the size of the rhizome).

Varieties:

CRIMSON KING

IRIS CLASS: BEARDED

BEARDED CLASS: INT BEARDED

AGE: BEFORE 1900

FALL COLOR: PURPLE

STANDARD COLOR: PURPLE

PATTERN: SELF

BEARD COLOR: WHITE

HYBRIDIZER: BARR

Crimson King has an intense deep red purple color with a pleasant fragrance. The blooms are often some of the first of the iris season. It bears black buds that burst into beautiful purple flowers. It has been referred to as the “King of early spring”. Crimson King is a vigorous grower and will rebloom in warmer climates and thus has become very popular in coastal California.

SANS SOUCI

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.

ROSE UNIQUE

IRIS CLASS: BEARDED

BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED

AGE: 1900-1919

FALL COLOR: MAUVE/ROSE

STANDARD COLOR: MAUVE/ROSE

PATTERN: BITONE

BEARD COLOR: LEMON/LIGHT YELLOW

HYBRIDIZER: FARR

Rose Unique was described in the 1920 Wing Seed Company catalog as “the nearest approach to a pink iris.” It has a unique rose purple coloring and produces a good mass of color early in the season. When Rose Unique was first introduced, there was controversy - some loved the pink color, while others refused to sell it!

QUAKER LADY

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

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

IRIS CLASS: BEARDED

BEARDED CLASS: TALL BEARDED

AGE: BEFORE 1900

FALL COLOR: DEEP LAVENDER

STANDARD COLOR: LAVENDER

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.