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■(TB) 'China Maid'

1936, Milliken

'China Maid' (Carl S. Milliken, R. 1936) TB. Midseason bloom. Color Class S9M. Strong fragrance. ('Mauna Loa' X 'Dauntless'). Milliken Iris Gardens 1936. Honorable Mention 1938; Award of Merit 1939.

Additional nursery listings: Milliken 1937; Schreiner 1941; Cooley 1952;

See below:
Courtesy of Mike Lowe from original HIPS websitePhoto by Sandy Gessner Eggertson-Merlebleu Iris Garden-Manitoba,CanadaPhoto by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris GardenPhoto by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris GardenPhoto scanned from the 1949 Schreiners catalogue by Terry LaurinPhoto by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.Photo by Kate Brewitt at the 2019 AIS National Convention-CaliforniaTaken at the AIS 2009 Convention in Kansas CityPhoto by The Iris FanPhoto by David Potembski, Presby 2016

References:

Citations: A.I.S. Bulletin 71:37(Oct. 1938).
From Milliken Iris Gardens catalog, 1937: CHINA MAID (Milliken) It is always difficult to paint a satisfactory word picture of a beautiful iris, but when it comes to describing China Maid, the task becomes nearly impossible. Words simply fail to convey an adequate impression of the beauty this flower possesses with its intriguing blend of pink, golden bronze and soft lilac-- and color is only one of the beauties of this splendid iris. The large, well-proportioned flowers of sturdy substance and smooth even texture are carried on tall graceful stems and make a picture in the garden that brings forth unbounded praise. Try China Maid with some of the light blues, such as Shining Waters or Pale Moonlight. You will be thrilled with the beauty of this combination. $15.00.
'China Maid' (Milliken, 1936) Each 75c; 3 for $2.00. Gigantic pink blend, with copper and gold tones smoothly blended into a harmonious whole. The effect is a luscious pink. A rampant grower, producing stalks that reach 4 feet, with a myriad of delightfully formed big flowers. HM AIS, 1938; AM 1939. [Cooley's Iris catalog 1952, p.10]
Schreiner's Catalog 1941: Morocco Rose, Angelus and China Maid we consider the outstanding set of newer, finer pinks. 'China Maid' is a large mallow pink self broad in all its parts. This subtly colored flower is an intriguing medley of pink, golden-bronze and soft lilac. During certain weather conditions its substance is not equal to the others and in northern sections it is probably tender.
Wayman, 1943: China Maid—40 in. Best of pink tones. Gorgeous. $1.00.
CHINA MAID (Milliken, 1936): Much overrated; presents a washed-out appearance; falls long and rather narrow; standards uniformly colored; falls lighter and with light field; much venation on haft; beard thin. [Elias Nelson, (Washington), “Varietal Comments 1946”, The Bulletin of the American Iris Society, No. 105 (April 1947): 97.]
I was disappointed when I first saw 'China Maid'. The catalogs had me primed for the ultimate in irises and I felt terribly let down at its lack of substance and its tendency to fade out quickly in the sunshine. I have since moved it to a cooler location, in companionship with Shining Waters; during its second season it sent up four tall bloomstalks. But the immense blossoms still mushroom in our sunshine and wind. [Lila McCombs, Calif., "A Critical Evaluation of Older Iris", A.I.S. Bulletin 110 (July 1948):54.
The first thing I saw [in the E. A. Emory Garden] that literally took my breath away was—you could never guess. The flowers were huge, radiantly pink, beautifully grown. Yes, it was China Maid, but so lovely I exclaimed, "What is that beautiful thing?" That iris is like a chameleon. Sometimes it looks ratty, sometimes beautiful. [Reynolds, Mrs. Leo F., Tennessee (1949). Coming Events Cast Their Shadows, American Iris Society Bulletin 116(January 1950), 28.]

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-- JanLauritzen - 2010-10-23
I Attachment Action Size Date Who Comment
ChinaMaid01.JPGJPG ChinaMaid01.JPG manage 55 K 22 Nov 2014 - 03:16 TerryLaurin Photo by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris Garden
ChinaMaid02.JPGJPG ChinaMaid02.JPG manage 84 K 13 Aug 2021 - 18:41 TerryLaurin Photo by Mary Hess-Bluebird Haven Iris Garden
ChinaMaidIF.jpgjpg ChinaMaidIF.jpg manage 68 K 25 Jan 2012 - 14:43 BetsyHiggins Photo by The Iris Fan
ChinaMaid_by_JanLauritzen.jpgjpg ChinaMaid_by_JanLauritzen.jpg manage 67 K 23 Oct 2010 - 07:21 Main.janlauritzen Taken at the AIS 2009 Convention in Kansas City
China_Maid_hist.jpgjpg China_Maid_hist.jpg manage 16 K 12 Nov 2010 - 23:51 BobPries Courtesy of Mike Lowe from original HIPS website
IMG_7731.jpgjpg IMG_7731.jpg manage 360 K 21 Dec 2018 - 15:19 DavidPotembski Photo by David Potembski, Presby 2016
chinamaid01.jpgjpg chinamaid01.jpg manage 80 K 14 Jul 2014 - 18:27 TerryLaurin Photo by Sandy Gessner Eggertson-Merlebleu Iris Garden-Manitoba,Canada
chinamaid09.JPGJPG chinamaid09.JPG manage 402 K 13 Oct 2020 - 03:02 TerryLaurin Photo scanned from the 1949 Schreiners catalogue by Terry Laurin
chinamaid1.JPGJPG chinamaid1.JPG manage 513 K 05 May 2018 - 03:27 TerryLaurin Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.
chinamaid2.JPGJPG chinamaid2.JPG manage 105 K 10 Jun 2020 - 03:06 TerryLaurin Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.
chinamaid3.JPGJPG chinamaid3.JPG manage 184 K 10 Jun 2020 - 03:12 TerryLaurin Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection.
chinamaid4.JPGJPG chinamaid4.JPG manage 112 K 01 Jul 2019 - 02:08 TerryLaurin Photo by Kate Brewitt at the 2019 AIS National Convention-California
Topic revision: r30 - 05 Nov 2022, Harloiris
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