(1920) Dutch Irises by Reverend Joseph Jacob

The Garden p.112 February 28, 1920

DUTCH IRISES

It is so long since we have had a good hard winter that I am unable to say how hardy these early flowering Irises are. I imagine from their behaviour in my garden that they are about on a par with the Spanish, and that they like a rich, moderately light soil. I first saw them about four or five years ago in M. van Tubergen's garden in Haarlem, where the strain had its birth. They had not at that time any collective name, and Mr. T. Hoog asked me if I could suggest one. " Dutch," I said. " We have Spanish and English, and as these have been made by you in Holland, why not Dutch ? " De Graatf Brothers of Leiden, who were also going to distribute them, concurred, and in the autumn of the same year " Dutch Iris " duly appeared in their lists. Almost all have larger flowers, distinguished by the width and substance of their component parts. Last season Mr. Tubergen very kindly sent me a selection of cut flowers. By universal consent ‘Rembrandt’ was the favourite, closely followed by ‘Judith Lyster’. Both are blues, ‘Rembrandt’ a rich violet blue, ‘Judith Lyster’ a grey blue. Both have exceptionally large falls, with prominent orange blotches. I can strongly advise a trial. If six varieties are wanted, the following will give satisfaction : ® Anton Mauve, pale lilac blue ; (2) Rembrandt, deep blue ; {3) Judith Lyster, grey blue ; (4) Van der Heist, pale yellow ; (5) Jan de Bray, large deep yellow ; and (6) Pieter van Hoog, pearly blue. Joseph Jacob.

There were replies to Rev. Jacobs article in the The Garden p.558, November 15, 1920

For more information on historic Irises visit the Historic Iris Preservation Society at

-- BobPries - 2014-07-03