Hybridizers Glenn Corlew, 1925--2010 & S. Alan Corlew

Walnut Creek, California, USA

The Cherry Gardens of Glenn F. Corlew - 2988 Cherry Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

1985 Catalog, 1986 catalog

REGION 14

Glenn F. Corlew grew up in the foothills of eastern Fresno County, an area settled by his grandparents during the early days of California. Several mountains, lakes and canyons in the region bear the names of various branches of his family. Glenn served in the Navy during World War II and later continued his education at Milligan College (near Johnson City, Tennessee) where he received a BA in Business Administration in 1948. It was also at Milligan that he met his wife, the former Nell Slay of Newland, North Carolina. The Corlews had two sons, C. Curtis II and Stewart Alan.

Shortly after graduation from Milligan, Glenn joined the Pacific Gas and Electric Company where he was employed as a Personnel Assistant for the Construction Department. Iris first entered the life of the Corlews in 1953 when Mrs. H. P. Kimzey gave them a small collection for the garden of their new home. Two bee pods formed the following year and therein the career of another hybridizer was launched. The step from bee pods to planned crosses came in 1955. From that time until the introduction of CAROLANDS and SIGNATURE in 1965 a large number of seedlings found their way to the compost pile. Glenn had taken an active interest in Region 14 affairs and is a past president of the Sydney B. Mitchell Iris Society and the Mount Diablo Iris Society.

Glenn was known for his photography and has won many awards for his photos. Like many hybridizers he could not help trying different things and worked in several different groups besides Tall-beardeds. He was also an avid canary breeder. Glenn served the American Iris Society in many ways, but perhaps the most notable was his long term as AIS treasurer. He recieved the Distinguished Service Medal in 2000.

Registrations/Introductions:

Border Bearded: 'Bethany' 1976, 'Change Artist', 'Doll Baby' 1980, 'Folklore' 1974, 'Tecate', 'Thumkin'.

Pacific Coast Native: 'Quintana'.

Spuria: 'Abbondanza', 'Belissinado', 'Flintridge', 'Infini', 'Offering', 'Response', 'Sentra', 'Sierra Chieftain', 'Snow Hawk', 'Social Circle'.

Standard Dwarf: 'La Velita' 1981, 'Trazarra'.

Tall Bearded: 'Acclamation' 1980, 'Affection' 1969, 'Affirmation', 'Amour' 1985, 'Ballet' 1982, 'Birthday Song', 'Blush Of Youth', 'Candelero' 1984, 'Canonero', 'Candy Shop' 1970, 'Carolands' 1965, 'Carondelet' 1972, 'Cherished' 1973, 'Cherry Lane', 'Cherub Choir' 1968, 'Concert' 1975, 'Cornerstone' 1976, 'Corvette', 'County Fair' 1966, 'Crystal Ball' 1978, 'Datebook' 1974, 'Descanso', 'Dream Of Love' 1971, 'El Grandee' 1976, 'Ellamae Fehrer', 'Elsiemae Nicholson', 'En Pointe', 'Filoli' 1982, 'First Blush' 1981, 'Fortune Teller', 'Franciscan Friar' 1968, 'Grand Romance' 1971, 'Guest Star' 1970, 'Infatuation' 1977, Infini', 'Integra', 'Jubilare' 1983, 'Just Desserts', 'Kimzey' 1967, 'Loving Heart' 1978, 'Murmuring Morn' 1970, 'Passionale' 1977, 'Portrait' 1973, 'Pristine' 1978, 'Proclamation' 1971, 'Prominent' 1980, 'Rio Roso' 1966, 'Secret Heart' 1972, 'Serene' 1983, 'Showman' 1983, 'Signature' 1965, 'Silver Skies' 1966, 'Songster' 1975, 'Spellmaker' 1981, 'Stage Door' 1979, 'Storybook' 1980, 'Toujours' 1984, 'Tralee' 1969, 'Triumphant' 1980, 'Victorian', 'Virtuoso' 1970, 'Volare' 1978, 'Watchword', 'Winning Colors', 'Winsome Lass' 1975, 'Wishing Hour' 1967.