First, I am a HIPS member, Historical Iris Preservation Society. In the 2006 HIPS sale I obtained this plant as a bonus. No info came wit...Read Moreh it but it survived my Maine winter and is doing well, two fans on it so far. It is not registered but produced many registered plants being one of the first pinks.
Another HIPS member living in Washington is growing this same iris which is doing nicely. He has kindly obtained the needed info on it by getting the info from the ID Chairman of HIPS and shared this with the rest of us HIPS members.
Quote:
"...it's a later production than SQ72, which supposedly is just a cross of Purissima x Seashell(which is possible, as I got a t-pink sdlg. from that cross)The letter designations represented cross years, so V would have been two years later than S.
...[also]...a description in the 1951 Orpinton Nurseries catalogue, under Recent Introductions from America": Loomis V20. This American Iris, though never named by Dr. Loomis, is now quite famous in this country. It is a delicate sea-shell pink with an apricot tinge and a reddish-tangerine beard. Very free-flowering and an extremely vigorous grower, it makes a sensational clump in the mass. 3ft. Selected for Trial at Wisley, 1948. 17/6(To put this price in perspective, their highest-priced American origination that year was Good News and 63/ followed by Helen McGregor at 60/)"
Another HIPS member from New Zealand has this bit of info to contribute.
Quote: "If I was a betting man I would say Loomis V20 was pink it was used in 50's by many hybridiser's in England mainly Kelways
KENTISH CORDELIA, MAGIC HILLS, MY BUDDIE,OLIVE MURRELL,ELEGANCE,POWDER PINK,ROISTAR,RUTH MERRY,TUDOR KING, and in the sixties, ANNE MICHELLE,JUBILEE GEM,KAREN MADDOC,RUTH MERRY, ROSBANK, SWEET SEVENTEEN, and in the 70's WENHASTON CHARM
Loomis had another seedling as well SQ-72 which was used by other hybridisers and was later introduced as PIKE'S PEAK PINK(P. Loomis Hamblen, R. 1977). Sdlg. SQ72. TB 36"(91cm) M Light pink self; tangerine beard. Unknown parentage, but probably Purissima x Sea Shell., Bedford Gardens 1954.
I think the amusing story about Loomis comes from the Region 20 1974 bulletin Eula Sheilds tells us"Doctor Loomis exhibited some of his early at the Chicago World Fair in 1933-34. Horticultural Experts are reported saying the color was not possible in nature, that he must have used a dye material in the soil,"
He was the foremost pioneer in Pink irises"
The Id Chairman basically backed this up with the first thing I quoted.
I think being one of the first pinks that it is worth saving so it is listed in the HIPS database for that purpose. Might get registered later like others have before, might not. HIPS goes by year of introduction not by registration to consider what is a historic. Thirty years from intro year would be considered a historic.
Many thanks to those getting this info for me. No PBF showing on the fans. My peak bloom season is not until June 9th or 10th for TB's so if it blooms will take a pic.
First, I am a HIPS member, Historical Iris Preservation Society. In the 2006 HIPS sale I obtained this plant as a bonus. No info came wit...Read More