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■(TB) 'Blue Surprise'

1957, Austin

'Blue Surprise' (Lloyd Austin, R. 1956). Seedling# 22A. TB, 36" (91 cm). Early midseason to late midseason bloom. Color Class B1L, Light bright blue self, flash of white around cream beard. Rainbow Hybridizing Garden 1957.

See below:
BlueSurprise01.jpgbluesurprise1.JPGBlueSurpriseBHI.jpgBlueSurpriseBHI1.JPGrsz 1bluesurprise-jb.jpgrsz 1bluesurprise-jbBH.jpg
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References:

From Rainbow Hybridizing Gardens catalog 1963: BLUE SURPRISE (Austin '57) ++ EM-M L-36". BLUE SURPRISE surprises everyone. First for its heavy tendency to re-bloom in mid & late fall , & to send forth at that time, as well as in spring, a generous supply of the largest, finest flowers of any of our blue re-bloomers. Frequently a 3-season Iris; often blooms in March or early April as well as usual time in May; starts its wondrous 2nd or 3d bloom in early Oct. or early Nov., depending on climate & care, frequently continuing right on into Dec. Every visitor marveled at abundance of bloom, size & beauty of flowers, bright light blue color, extraordinary substance, & most of all, at its ever-evident enticing fragrance. Most fragrant variety in our entire garden! A bouquet of BLUE SURPRISE will quickly perfume an entire room. Then, too, this takes the weather, & whatever the weather man has to offer. Demonstrated weather-resisting qualities when it came thru a severe hail storm with flying colors; nearly every other variety was riddled to shreds. In adverse weather one realizes quickly, one good Iris is worth a dozen poor ones. Beautifully ruffled, as in my color photograph. Sets seed when crossed with Autumns & newer fertile Oncobreds. Breeders everywhere want this, some for certain of its good qualities, some for others. Blue Surprise is the one Iris I would recommend most highly to plant beside your garden seat, or at whatever point you can best enjoy & rejoice in its enticing fragrance. As rhizomes increase, surround your garden seat with Blue Surprise; then see how frequently you come to this most delightful & most fragrant spot in your entire garden. (Berkeley Blue X Chivalry). Regularly $6.00; on $10 order $5.40; on $25 order $4.80; 3 for $13.70.
 

Culture

Quick Summary of Cultural Directions

FURTHER CULTURAL INFORMATION SortSorted ascending
Exposure Prefers full sun for optimal performance, may still bloom in half-day shade
Fertilizer Prefers rich conditions on relatively inorganic soils.
Hardiness Zones 4-8 for most varieties, Some cultivars tolerate colder, others tolerate warmer zones (please comment in comment box with your location if this cultivar grows well in zone 3, 4, 9, or 10.)
PH Prefers Neutral to basic solis 6.1 to 8.5, quite toleranr of more extreme conditions
Water: Prefers well drained good garden soil, Tolerant of dry conditions in established plants, Intolerant of swampy conditions.

BobPries - 21 Apr 2019

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Your Observations Are Valued. Please make note of bud count, branching, purple based foliage and bloom time, etc. Because these are affected by climate, note date, year and geographic location and write these and other comments in the comment box below.

 

-- BetsyHiggins - 2010-10-17
I Attachment Action Size Date Who Comment
BlueSurprise01.jpgjpg BlueSurprise01.jpg manage 47 K 19 Dec 2015 - 13:47 Main.TLaurin Photo by Argyle Acres Iris Gardens
BlueSurpriseBHI.jpgjpg BlueSurpriseBHI.jpg manage 79 K 14 Apr 2012 - 19:01 Main.Betsy881 Photo by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris Garden
BlueSurpriseBHI1.JPGJPG BlueSurpriseBHI1.JPG manage 80 K 11 Aug 2021 - 19:33 Main.TLaurin Photo by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris Garden
bluesurprise1.JPGJPG bluesurprise1.JPG manage 91 K 13 Apr 2020 - 20:52 Main.TLaurin Photo scanned from the 1960 Rainbow Hybridizing Gardens catalog by Terry Laurin
rsz_1bluesurprise-jb.jpgjpg rsz_1bluesurprise-jb.jpg manage 71 K 09 Dec 2012 - 13:39 Main.Harloiris Photo by John Black
rsz_1bluesurprise-jbBH.jpgjpg rsz_1bluesurprise-jbBH.jpg manage 93 K 01 Mar 2019 - 21:17 Main.Betsy881 Detail of Black photo
Topic revision: r17 - 18 Sep 2021, Harloiris
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