1931, Mohr-Mitchell
'Alta California' (William Mohr- Sydney B. Mitchell, R. 1931). TB. Midseason bloom. . Color Class S6D. Bicolor blend of 'Caterina' shape and habit; Standards mustard yellow; Falls olive buff flecked vinaceous. 4 ft. haft conspicious, closly dotted and veined. beard yellow-orange. ('Alcazar' x 'Esplendido') X ( 'Shekinah' x 'Argentina'). Salbach 1931, Berry 1937; Orpington 1938; Katkamier 1939: Honorable Mention AIS 1936; Bulletin AIS 63: 62 Oct 1936.
See below:
From Carl Salbach catalog, 1931: ALTA CALIFORNIA (Mohr-Mitchell). The aristocrat of yellow iris, holding its large beautiful golden yellow flowers four feet above the ground. The stems are superbly branched, the standards clear yellow, the Falls deep yellow, faintly bronzed, with brown markings on the haft. So firm is the texture that neither the sun nor ithe rain mar the shapely blossoms. As it contains only 1/8 mesopotamica it should be perfectly hardy. Everyone who has seen this lovely yellow agrees that this is the greatest advance in thiis color to date, and we venture to predict that it will be used as much in the breeding for future yellows as was Dominion for the dark flowers. 48". $35.00 |
Alta California: Bicolor, blend S6D Mohr-Mitchell 1931.Brief: Of Caterina shape and habit; S. mustard ;yellow; F. olive buff flushed vinaceous; 4 ft. Details S. domed; notched; F. drooping; haft conspicuous, closely dotted and veined; beard yellow orange. Color of Endymion, a deeper Gilead. [R. S. Sturtevant, "Descriptions of Varieties, Part VI", A.I.S. Bulletin 5_ (October 1934): 26.] |
ALTA CALIFORNIA (Mitchell). First of the big, tall yellows, Alta California is still one of the best. Tallest of all the yellows, and a variety which has been recognized as outstanding wherever grown. Striking for mass planting, and excellent in every way. Color bright bronzy yellow, form of. bloom perfect, and branching habit ideal. H.M., A.I.S. Mid-season. 48" __ 25c; 3 for 50c---Carl Salbach 1940 Catalog |
So tall and superbly branched an iris as Alta California, first of the series of yellows for which Prof. Mitchell gained such fame, still has great value in landscaping; its substance and sparkling color are still good. Lila McCombs, Calif., "A Critical Evaluation of Older Iris", A.I.S. Bulletin 110 (July 1948): 54. |
Alta California: (Mitchell) 1. One of the best yellows to date for garden value. (Calif.) 2. The shape of the flower is not perfect and the veining at the haft is a mild defect, but it is a very effective yellow and a great addition to any garden. (Colo.) 3. The brown veining sometimes noticeable in the haft is almost entirely absent in this locality. (Pasadena.) [1934 Comments by Accredited Judges, American Iris Society Bulletin 55(February 1935), 79.] |
See also 'Alta Californica' on the HIPS website |
Catalog References: Longfield 1939 |
'Alt. California' in Gardeners' Chronicles 99: page 392, 13 June 1936.
Distribution: Salbach 1939
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Interested in Tall Bearded Iris? Please visit the: Tall Bearded Iris Society website.
Interested in Historic Irises ? Please visit the: Historic Iris Society website.
-- BetsyHiggins - 2010-09-13
I | Attachment | Action | Size | Date | Who | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JPG | Alta_California.JPG | manage | 49 K | 30 Jan 2011 - 18:51 | IrisP | |
jpg | Alta_California.jpg | manage | 231 K | 31 Oct 2016 - 17:05 | BobPries | From Carl Salbach 1940 catalog |
jpg | Alta_CaliforniaHIPS.jpg | manage | 14 K | 31 Oct 2016 - 17:06 | BobPries | From Mike Lowe's original HIPS website |
jpg | alta-california-jb.jpg | manage | 32 K | 14 Feb 2013 - 20:12 | Main.Harloiris | photo courtesy Mike Unser |
jpg | alta-california1-08.jpg | manage | 55 K | 10 Apr 2016 - 05:08 | Main.mikeu | Photo by Mike Unser |
jpg | alta-california1-12.jpg | manage | 64 K | 10 Apr 2016 - 05:08 | Main.mikeu | Photo by Mike Unser |
JPG | altacalifornia01.JPG | manage | 578 K | 27 Apr 2018 - 00:09 | Main.TLaurin | Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection. |
JPG | altacalifornia02.JPG | manage | 612 K | 27 Apr 2018 - 00:11 | Main.TLaurin | Photo by Nancy McDonald-The Pickle Barrel Collection. |