Hybridizer Melissa Schiller

Kapunda, South Australia, Australia

On the birth of my second child my Nana gifted me four iris rhizomes. I had no idea what they were as the technology wasn't as prevalent as it is today. I couldn't google what they were. Talking from her experience in life she told me 'gardening is good for the soul'. Nana explained how to plant the rhizomes and how to care for them. Nana also said that once I see these beauties bloom there will be no going back, it is a virus. We are talking virtually 30 years ago as my son would be 30 in early March but he died in an accident in 2021, I was completely hooked once the varieties bloomed for the first time.

It did not take me long to get a collection of 350 varieties growing. I would open my garden in spring time to the public for viewing and sell iris from my garden to fund my addiction by purchasing new varieties to add to my collection. I was an avid collector of Barry Blyth iris and the newer varieties from USA. We moved house to accomodate the need for our growing family and iris addiction, maybe car addiction also. The iris came with the move. This is when I started dabbling in hybridizing. A couple years went by and out of the blue Bailey came and grabbed the tweezers from me. Smokin Heights was born.

Barry and Lesley invited us to Tempo Two and this is where we met Thomas Johnson and Kirk Hansen. We have been priviledged to have had wonderful mentors, friends, gratitude and guidance along the way. The iris have taken us on a journey and we are here for the ride!

Goals for the future in my hybridizing are a black TB with pink beards. Aril Bred varieties with unusual attributes, and anything unique that pops up along the way!

Registrations/Introductions:

Arilbred: 'Bastet', 'Cleopatra's Veil', 'Heket', 'Sekhmet', 'Tiye', 'Tutankahn'

Standard Dwarf Bearded: 'Kind Eyes'

Tall Bearded: 'Always In Command', 'Bad Desire', 'Bad Obsession', 'Blood Magic', 'Blown A Fuse', 'Bold Style', 'Brave The Storm', 'Brazilliant', 'Butterface', 'Comic Relief', 'Dark Alibi', 'Deva Summer', 'Girls Got Flair', 'Grand Vintage', 'Handsome Rebel', 'Kissed By Fire', 'Lady Of Luxury', 'Love Is On Fire', 'My Kinda Party', 'Noble Steed', 'Nordic Lover', 'No Risk No Return', 'Perilous Love', 'Primrose Gypsy', 'Safe In My Heart', 'Seclusion', 'See You In Heaven', 'Sense of Class', 'She Talks To Angels', 'Shoot For The Stars', 'Soul Fire', 'Steel Prince', 'Vodka Sunrise', 'Zofonic Dancer',

-- BobPries - 2012-05-18