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Irises
mizbel66

Iris information - Old breed?

17 years ago

Hello!

i have a question about some old iris breeds. My husbands great grandmother was passionate about irises, and spent many hours in her garden cross breeding and pollinating. I have been told that she created a few of her own, one of which was named 'Princess Myril' after her daughter. (Myril (hubby's granny)is now in her 80's and remembers her mother getting up at dawn to pollinate her irises before the bees did it!) Her last name was Jensen i think.

Unfortunately, no one in the family has any of the great granny created irises, and I would love to find out more about them and acquire some if possible. I've done some searching on the web but have found no reference to them.

If anyone has any information, I would love to hear from you. I'd be so thrilled if I could find some of them. I'd love to keep them going and give them to all the great-great grandchildren. What a fabulous thing to pass down to future generations!

With thanks,

Bel

Comments (8)

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I did find the iris Princess Myril on the AIS iris registry, introduced in 1955. (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 38" (97 cm), E. Color Class-VR1, Deep-pink self, orchid influence. Fuchsia x Dolly Varden.

    It sounds very pretty! Maybe one of the forum members who raises historics will be able to help you locate some. It sure would be nice to hand down. Good luck!

    Shadow

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Also, copied this from the Iris Register. Not sure which ones are hers, but these were listed under Jensen. Hope this helps you find something.

    ALL ETERNITY (Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 60-1. TB, , . Color Class-Wl,
    BELVI CLOUD (K. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. JR13-2. TB, 31" (79 cm), E-M & RE.
    BELVI QUEEN (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. DR 12-13. TB, 43" (109 cm), E & RE.
    BOUNCY BLONDE (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. BR35-8. BB, 27" (69 cm), E & RE.
    CANDLELIGHT AND WINE (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. GMGOR-2-85-J. AB (OGB-), 14" (35 cm), E.
    CAPTAIN KATZ (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. EB1-6. SDB, 11" (28 cm), M.
    CENTAUR'S SONG (Elm Jensen, R. 2007). Sdlg. KSMWR1. AR (OGB), 36" (91 cm), M.
    CHILDSONG (E. Jensen, R. 1983). Sdlg. 40/GA-2. AB (OGB-), 19" (48 cm), M.
    CHIRON (Elm Jensen, R. 2007). Sdlg. MMVER 1. AR (RH), 26" (66 cm), M.
    DAWN OF FALL (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR 43-13. TB, 30" (76 cm), EM & RE.
    DUSKY SUNSET (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR42-5. TB, 31" (97 cm), E & RE.
    EMPEROR MOON (E. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. GWCM-1-J-86. AB (OGB-), 38" (97 cm), M.
    ENIGMATIC ELF (Elm Jensen, R. 2007). Sdlg. MFVxOGB-1. AB (OGB), 16" (41 cm), ML.
    ETHEL HOPE (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 38" (97 cm), LM. Color Class-W4RV,
    FORMAL DRESS (S. Jensen, R. 1969). Sdlg. J-4-68. TB, 30" (76 cm), M. Color Class-W1W,
    GAIL (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 36" (91 cm), M. Color Class-O1D,
    GUINEVERE (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. ANDPP-85-1J. AR (RC), 24" (61 cm), M.
    HERE I AM (A. Houck by E. Jensen, R. 1985). Sdlg. AH28-C. AR (RH), 26" (66 cm), EM.
    KAZAKHSTAN (E. Jensen, R. 1989). Sdlg. Telstolpum-J-2. AB (RB+), 14" (36 cm), E.
    KING SOLOMON'S MINES (Elm Jensen, R. 2003). Sdlg. SxMM-2J. AB (OGB), 30" (76 cm), ML.
    LILAC STITCHERY (K. Jensen, R. 1989). Sdlg. ER4-8. TB, 33" (84 cm), E & RE.
    LOVE CAME BY (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. CTMC1-J. AB (OGB), 36" (91 cm), E.
    MASTER NEIL (Muhlestein, introducer, originator Mrs. Ray Jensen, R. 1952). EC, 32" (81 cm), EM. Color Class-Y2,
    MERLIN'S MAGIC (E. Jensen, R. 1985). Sdlg. TDAH28C-1. AR (RH), 26" (66 cm), ML.
    MERLIN'S MANTLE (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. BBTD1-84-J. AR (RH), 27" (69 cm), M.
    MOMENTS LATER (E. Jensen, R. 1989). Sdlg. Sto-Sto-pum. AB (RB+), 16" (41 cm), E.
    MOUNTAIN MORNING (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. CTRF-1-J. AB (OGB), 29" (74 cm), E.
    MUSIC LADY (K. Jensen, R. 1977). Sdlg. JR3-1. SDB, 14" (36 cm), E.
    MY ALANA (Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 58-95. TB, , . Color Class-W1,
    MY FUNNY VALENTINE (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. Hooljor2-J. AB (OB), 12" (30 cm), EM.
    NEON VIOLET (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR42-11. TB, 29 1/2" (75 cm), E & RE.
    PEPPER LANE (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. ER 26-13. TB, 37" (94 cm), E & RE.
    PIED BEAUTY (A. Samuelson by E. Jensen, R. 1983). Sdlg. VRAS2. AB (OGB), 34" (86 cm), M-L.
    PRINCESS MYRIL (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 38" (97 cm), E. Color Class-VR1,
    RAINY DAY WOMAN (E. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. LSH-1-85-J. AB (OGB-), 28" (71 cm), M.
    ROCKET MAN (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. GMChag1-J. AB (OGB-), 20" (51 cm), EM.
    ROJEN'S SAGA (Virginia Ross by Elm Jensen, R. 1985). Sdlg. PPTH7S-1. AR (RC), 22" (56 cm), M.
    STELLA MARIE (K. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. LR49-10. TB, 35" (89 cm), M.
    STOLEN MOMENTS (E. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. S/SYP-2-86-J. AB (RB+), 16" (41 cm), VE.
    STONEHENGE (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. HBJSL-1-85J. AR (RH), 22" (56 cm), M.
    SUMMER CHARM (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR43-5. TB, 32" (81 cm), E & RE.
    SUNFLIGHT (E. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. JGGA-2-J-85. AB (RB-), 22" (56 cm), EM.
    TIEN SHAN (Elm Jensen, R. 2004). Sdlg. PALCB-1-J. AB (OGB), 32" (81 cm), M.
    TONGA MOON (Mrs. R. Jensen, R. 1966). Sdlg. 4-64. TB, 30" (76 cm), M-L. Color Class-Y4Wcm,
    TORCH SINGER (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. SOCDi-1-J. AB (RB-), 19" (48 cm), M.
    VISION QUEST (E. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. EQGr-1-J-86. AB (OGB), 30" (76 cm), M.
    WANDERING MINSTREL (E. Jensen, R. 1986). Sdlg. GMCHAG-1-J. AB (OGB-), 17" (43 cm), EM.
    WHITE FIRE (Mrs. R. Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 58-98. TB, , . Color Class-Wl,

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  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Many thanks Shadow, for this information! How exciting!! I see quite a few of them on the list that she created with family connections.

    Do you have any idea where I could find any of these?

    Again, thank you,

    Bel

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Sorry, but I don't. The only way I can think of is to Google them. Hopefully, someone else will be able to give you better information. There are a lot of members on this forum that are really interested in historic irises and would be able to give you resources. There is a Historic Iris Preservation Society Most of my irises are the newer ones. Here is a link to their web site. Good Luck!

    Shadow

    Here is a link that might be useful: Historic Iris Preservation Society

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Hi Bel,

    As Shadow suggested, HIPS would be my best advice for a place to start, but I also wanted to point something out. I don't know your family history, so you could very well be related, but all of the varieties listed under E./Elm Jensen are from a Washington hybridizer and they're arils or arilbreds.

    Elm's work is something very different from the standard Tall Bearded iris and I would say it's safe to assume they aren't what your husband's grandmother was involved with.

    I could be wrong and I don't know about the other Jensens listed, but I'd say you could whittle the list down to this (if not remove more):

    ALL ETERNITY (Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 60-1. TB, , . Color Class-Wl,
    BELVI CLOUD (K. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. JR13-2. TB, 31" (79 cm), E-M & RE.
    BELVI QUEEN (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. DR 12-13. TB, 43" (109 cm), E & RE.
    BOUNCY BLONDE (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. BR35-8. BB, 27" (69 cm), E & RE.
    CAPTAIN KATZ (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. EB1-6. SDB, 11" (28 cm), M.
    DAWN OF FALL (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR 43-13. TB, 30" (76 cm), EM & RE.
    DUSKY SUNSET (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR42-5. TB, 31" (97 cm), E & RE.
    ETHEL HOPE (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 38" (97 cm), LM. Color Class-W4RV,
    FORMAL DRESS (S. Jensen, R. 1969). Sdlg. J-4-68. TB, 30" (76 cm), M. Color Class-W1W,
    GAIL (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 36" (91 cm), M. Color Class-O1D,
    LILAC STITCHERY (K. Jensen, R. 1989). Sdlg. ER4-8. TB, 33" (84 cm), E & RE.
    MASTER NEIL (Muhlestein, introducer, originator Mrs. Ray Jensen, R. 1952). EC, 32" (81 cm), EM. Color Class-Y2,
    MUSIC LADY (K. Jensen, R. 1977). Sdlg. JR3-1. SDB, 14" (36 cm), E.
    MY ALANA (Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 58-95. TB, , . Color Class-W1,
    NEON VIOLET (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR42-11. TB, 29 1/2" (75 cm), E & RE.
    PEPPER LANE (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. ER 26-13. TB, 37" (94 cm), E & RE.
    PRINCESS MYRIL (Jensen, R. 1955). TB, 38" (97 cm), E. Color Class-VR1,
    STELLA MARIE (K. Jensen, R. 1988). Sdlg. LR49-10. TB, 35" (89 cm), M.
    SUMMER CHARM (C. Jensen, R. 1975). Sdlg. GR43-5. TB, 32" (81 cm), E & RE.
    TONGA MOON (Mrs. R. Jensen, R. 1966). Sdlg. 4-64. TB, 30" (76 cm), M-L. Color Class-Y4Wcm,
    WHITE FIRE (Mrs. R. Jensen, R. 1960). Sdlg. 58-98. TB, , . Color Class-Wl,

    When I look over that list again, the name Muhlestein (introduced 'Master Neil' for Mrs. Ray Jensen) seems familiar. Someone here might be able to tell you why that name rings a bell and that could lead you closer to finding your iris.

    I just found this page (from a person trying to collect the Muhlestein introductions) in a search and you might even consider contacting the originator of the post (iriscrazy2@yahoo.com) to see what they've found. People don't usually introduce an iris for a complete stranger, so finding one's path could result in finding both.

    I hope this helps and good luck!

    Brock

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Thank you, Shadow and Brock for your advice and information.

    Mrs. Ray Jensen is the great grandmother. Neil, Gail and Myril were her children and Alana was her first grandchild. How fabulously cool to have a flower named for you!

    Can you tell me what "introducing" means?

    Tell Muhlestein was a well known hybridizer from Utah in the 50's and 60's. I wonder if great granny knew him, she was from Utah too.

    I'll contact those sites and addresses to see what I can find.

    Again, thank you both.

    Bel

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I just looked through the HIPS Master List for historic iris in commerce and these are the only ones on the list hybridized under the name "Jensen":

    BELVI QUEEN
    DAWN OF FALL
    MUSIC LADY
    NEON VIOLET
    PEPPER LANE
    SUMMER CHARM

    For any of the others you'd have to find them in either a historic display garden or in a personal garden. It is possible that if you post a message on the forums at HIPS someone may point you to a gardener growing them privately.

    It costs just $10/year to join & have access to the forums. Well worth the cost.

  • 17 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Introducing = offering to the public.

    Sometimes, it's easier for a small scale hybridizer to have a commercial grower, a generally more experienced irisarian, or more business minded person take on the responsibility of promoting and distributing their iris seedling (by catalog, website, printed advertisements). By registering an iris and then offering it to the public in these ways, what was once a seedling becomes an official iris introduction.

    It sounds like the varieties you're looking for might not be widely grown, so you might also consider contacting AIS members from Region 12 (Utah is it's own region). Here are the contacts AIS offers: http://irises.org/ais612.htm.

    I hope you're able to learn more of your family's iris heritage.

    Brock

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