■(AB) 'Esther, The Queen'

1967, Hunt

'Esther, The Queen' OGB (Eugene Hunt, R. 1967). Seedling ORB 64-1. AB, 36" (91 cm). Early to midseason bloom. Standards wisteria blue, deeper veins, blended willow green at base, brown at claw; Falls willow green, blended erythrite red; dotting by black beard on black maroon spot, paling to brown as it blends to willow green. Sundt 5631D: ('Ardrun' x 'Ib-Mac') X 'Kalifa Gulnare'. Tell's Iris Garden, 1968. High Commendation 1967; Honorable Mention 1969; Judges Choice 1969; White Medal 1971

Note: Streaking is very variable--from almost no streaks to heavily streaked, flower to flower on same plant and year to year depending on soil, growing conditions and weather.

See below: * * References

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References

From AIS Bulletin #189 April 1968 Introducing ESTHER THE QUEEN (Eugene Hunt). E-M. 30". (Sundt 5631: ARDRUN x IBMAC) X KALIFA GULNARE. The blendings of color are impossible to describe. Standards bluish green, with falls blended soft willow green to amber. Has a large signal spot of brownish maroon under a darker onco-like blackish beard, giving a very striking appearance. Aril breeders have been high in their praise of this lovely flower. Passes on the strong signal spot to its offspring. One branch with usually three long-lasting blooms per stalk. Excellent grower; fast of increase. See page 63, January 1968 AIS Bulletin. ORB 64-1. HC '67. Net $25.00 Tell's Iris Garden.
From AIS Bulletin #188 January 1968 referred to above - Comment by Steve Varner: ESTHER THE QUEEN (Eugene Hunt). Sundt's 5631: sib to ARDMINAC (ARDUM x IB-MAC) X KALIFA GULNARE). Exotic as the beauty namesake that charmed the king of ancient Persia. She has bluish green. standards and her falls are willow-green with a spot of brownish maroon which serves as a base for her blackish beard. Really great. The seedling number was ORB 64-1.
ESTHER THE QUEEN (Hunt '68). The only arilbred I will list, even though I have a dozen other "favorites." This will strike the fancy of anyone, and is in fact an easy grower. A good parent, both ways, too. [Tell Muhlestein, “Twenty-five Irises That Have Performed Well for Me,” The Bulletin of the American Iris Society, No. 199 (October 1970):49.]

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-- AnitaMoran - 2010-01-08