Hybridizer Bailey Schiller

Kapunda, South Australia, Australia

Bailey began hybridising irises in 2009 after watching his mother, Melissa Schiller, at work in the garden and decided to have a go himself. What started as curiosity quickly turned into obsession, and he was well and truly hooked.

In 2013 Bailey was invited by Barry Blyth to hybridise at Tempo Two, an opportunity that proved formative in shaping both his approach and ambitions. He returned each spring until Tempo Two closed in early 2017, and Barry continues to be a generous mentor to him this day.

His primary focus as a hybridiser is novelties. He is particularly drawn to flat form blooms, variegated foliage, and broken colour, and is motivated by the challenge of pushing these traits forward in ways that feel both fresh and horticulturally sound. He enjoys exploring the edges of what irises can be, while still selecting for plants that perform well in the garden. Alongside this, he has an ongoing interest in developing dwarf bearded irises that perform reliably in warmer climates, with an emphasis on vigor, adaptability, and garden value.

His introductions are made through Smokin Heights, where his seedlings are grown on and assessed under real garden conditions.

Registrations/introductions:

Arilbred: 'Qetesh'

Border Bearded: 'Vela'

Standard Dwarf Bearded: 'Enchanting Pixie', 'Off With The Fairies', 'Rather Snazzy',

Tall-Bearded: 'Atomic Sunset', 'Beginning Of A Fairytale', 'Blond Response', 'Butter Caramel Pecan Pie', 'Chasing Chaos', 'Cosmic Rush', 'Disruptor', 'Dreaming Easy', 'Empress Syrinx', 'Equally Wild', 'Exonerate', 'Fake A Smile', 'Fancy Like', 'Flash Warning', 'Flat Earth Theory', 'Flirtatious Femme', 'Fly Into The Sun', 'Go Loco', 'Haunts My Soul', 'Heart Lines', 'Into The Cosmos', 'Lunacy', 'Magic Madness', 'May Be Fate', 'Mid North Star', 'Ocean Flare', 'Padam Padam', 'Paint The Stars', 'Queen Conch', 'Ribboned Light', 'Sandsear Storm', 'She Be Magic', 'Shock Alert', 'Strawberry Champagne', 'Three Times A Charm', 'Waves On the Coast', 'Tracey-Lee', 'Ultimate Affection', 'Weaver Of Dreams',

-- BobPries - 2012-05-18