Gardening Topic for May 2007
Inspired by Doc. G. Percy Brown, Reblooming Iris Hybridizeg

Provided by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association
www.wmassmastergardeners.org.

By Rebecca Hamel, Master Gardener Intern

Dr. George Percy Brown was a medical doctor who had a passion for irises. Specifically, reblooming irises. Coming home to Barre, MA after college graduation, riding the country roads he came upon a field of irises in bloom. He often said later the sight of that field with pastures beyond and Mt. Wachusett rising blue on the horizon is what inspired him to take up iris gardening. The iris garden happened to be the summer home of Grace Sturtevant of Wellesley Hills, one of the founders of the American Iris Society.

When I first began researching Dr. Brown, I did not appreciate the degree of commitment that was necessary when hybridizing reblooming irises. By definition, reblooming irises bloom more than once during the growing season. They produce a second bloom stalk on rhizomes that have been produced in the spring, and “rebloom” in the late summer, early fall. Due to their prolific nature rebloomers require additional water, sun, and nutrients. In New England, rebloomers must be cold hardy and resistant to frost damage. Hybridizing and growing reblooming irises is not for the faint hearted, especially in the colder climates.

Many early iris hybridizers gave up on developing reblooming irises. Not Dr. Brown. He picked up where other hybridizers left off. His rebloomers were “characterized by vigor, dependability, disease resistance, floriferousness, and compound branching…Unfortunately, they are frequently marked by dirty hafts, poor substance, snaky stalks, narrow parts, and muddy colors…Brown’s introductions total 78 and remain today the most dependable rebloomers available for severe climates.”

Faint praise, indeed, but I am not offended by it. Dr. Brown took on the challenge of hybridizing reblooming irises for the New England climate in 1929 and joined the AIS in 1930. In 1971, he was rewarded for his efforts. He was awarded “The Hybridizer Medal” from the AIS for his outstanding plant breeding accomplishments. More than 25 years after his passing he continues to be mentioned in articles related to reblooming irises and his work with them.

As recently as 1997 he was mentioned in an article, which listed 28 “stud irises” for hybridization. Of the 28 mentioned, he introduced 6. These being Autumn Elf (1935), Autumn Twilight (1945, 1971), October Shadows ( 1950), Green Dragon (1955), and Autumn Snowdrift ( 1955). His efforts laid the groundwork for other reblooming hybridizers to come.

Dr. Brown was a native of Barre where I live. His iris garden was called the “Everblooming Garden”. Six of his introductions originated here. These were Autumn Elf (1935) August Waves (1939),September Sparkler ( 1943), Autumn Twilight (1945, 1971), and October Shadows (1950).

One of the better known among irisarians is Autumn Twilight. It is described as a tall bearded, 33”, selfs - brownish yellow, falls - light yellow and lavender blend. Doc Percy used this particular iris more than 20 times in his hybridizations. He first introduced it in 1945 through his in-garden sales at his Barre home, although it was not registered until 1971. It can still be purchased on-line.

He also had iris fields in Westport, MA where he had a second home. The weather was warmer and growing season longer there. This was where he developed the remainder of his introductions. A complete listing of Dr. Browns introductions can be found in the March 1971 Reblooming Iris Reporter, edited by Edwin Rundlett. Dr. Brown died December, 1971. He was remembered to me by Lloyd Zurbrigg as hybridizer who focused on “growth factors and rebloom”, he was a “little austere, but kindly and friendly, and a good conversationalist.” In honor of Dr. Brown, I am working on an “Everblooming Garden” of my own. I was able to locate 15 of his introductions on-line. I put them in the ground last summer and am anxiously awaiting the blossoms this spring. My hope is to inspire others to plant his reblooming irises and his spirit alive.

Warburton, Bee, (1986) 2nd Printing, THE WORLD OF IRISES, Wichita, Kansas, The American Iris Society, pp 139-140

Clarence Mahan, Historic Remontant Irises,
( http://www.worldiris.com/public_html/ROOTS_Articles/Historic_Remontants.html 

Mike Lowe, Autumn Twilight (G.Percy Brown ‘45)
( http://www.worldiris.com/public_htm/ROOTS_Articles/Autumn_Twilight.html )

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Provided by the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association
www.wmassmastergardeners.org