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Special Plants Nursery (Chippenham, England)

Our third day was a busy one as we left our first hotel in Bath and traveled to Wells. There were several stops along the way, the first being Special Plants Nursery in Chippenham, England. It was a warm day. The nursery is owned by former Oregonian Derry Watkins, who moved to England decades ago when she married an Englishman. She is a plant collector and has traveled all over the world, her favorite place being South Africa.  That is Derry in the above photos talking to our group. The house and garden are located on a steep hill with idyllic countryside surrounding it. She says the garden was designed by her architect husband and she has filled it with her favorite plants, mostly tender perennials that she has collected from her plant-hunting expeditions. Most of the beds are terraced and many plants are grown in gravel. The garden is also enhanced with some striking ornaments - Lower island beds proceed downhill - A bog garden - At the bottom of the property is a woodland walk....
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Can you identify this iris?


A friend has an iris that was at her home when she moved there 20 years ago. I thought it looked like "Beverly Sills" but I'm not an iris expert.

If any iris aficionados out there can offer some suggestions, it will be greatly appreciated!

Clarification: This iris isn't blooming now (or at least I don't think it is). I will have to ask and see. I think the photo is from the spring time.
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  1. Roses and LilacsSeptember 21, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    Hi Phillip, if it's a reblooming iris it may be Pink Attraction. There are a few pink ones with with orange beards. PA has very short stems.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2009 at 10:23 AM

    I'm not an iris expert either but this one looks good enough to eat.

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  3. Chloe mSeptember 21, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    If I don't know can I just make up a name? How about Cascading Candy? Sorry, I don't know. But it is pretty!
    good luck finding out.
    Rosey

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  4. Lisa at GreenbowSeptember 21, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    All I can tell you is that it is a beauty.

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  5. FrancesSeptember 21, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    Hi Phillip, it's certainly a beauty. I believe Beverly Sills is a little smaller and more peachy pink than that one. Marnie's Pink Attraction sounds likely, there aren't many reblooming ones so that limits the choices. I would like to add that I have seen Champagne Elegance listed as a rebloomer and I have many of those and they have never ever rebloomed. False advertising!
    Frances

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  6. Mr. McGregor's DaughterSeptember 21, 2009 at 12:28 PM

    There are so many Bearded Iris cultivars, it's like trying to identify a Daylily. It does look like 'Beverly Sills,' but if it's blooming now, it's probably not.

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  7. CarolSeptember 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM

    Yet another non expert here Phillip... are you saying this is in bloom now? or are you dividing it? Is it too late to be moving Iris?? Not for you all down south but up here... I think I still have time. Sorry to answer a question with another question! Lovely Iris! Carol

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  8. F CameronSeptember 21, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    I have no clue, but it's a beauty!

    Cameron

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  9. Mary Delle LeBeauSeptember 21, 2009 at 4:31 PM

    I've no idea, but it's a delicate beauty.

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  10. sweetbaySeptember 21, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    What a beauty! I love the color.

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  11. UnknownSeptember 22, 2009 at 3:58 AM

    It looks like Beverly Sills to me, as well, particularly since you said it is not blooming now. Whichever cultivar it is, if I were you, I'd be taking a cutting!

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  12. Monica the Garden FaerieSeptember 22, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    Yes, that is a pale pink iris! HA HA! Sorry.

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  13. Hamilton HouseSeptember 24, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    Hey Phillip, I think I can identify that iris, but you might have to send it to me here in Baltimore so I can be sure :)

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