■ (TB) 'Alta California'

1931, Mohr-Mitchell

'Alta California' (William Mohr and Sydney B. Mitchell, R. 1931). TB. Midseason bloom. Color Class S6D. Bicolor blend of 'Caterina' shape and habit; Standards mustard yellow; Falls olive buff flecked vinaceous. 4 ft. Haft conspicuous, closely dotted and veined. beard yellow-orange. ('Alcazar' x 'Esplendido') X ( 'Shekinah' x 'Argentina'). Honorable Mention 1936.

Nursery listings from 1939 CL: Salbach 1931, Berry 1937; Orpington 1938; Katkamier 1939; Longfield 1939.

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See below:

• * References
• * Synonyms
• * Siblings
• * Hybrids
• * Cultivation

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References

ALTA CALIFORNIA (Mohr-Mitchell). The aristocrat of yellow iris, holding its large beautiful golden yellow flowers four feet above the ground. The stems are superbly branched, the standards clear yellow, the Falls deep yellow, faintly bronzed, with brown markings on the haft. So firm is the texture that neither the sun nor the rain mar the shapely blossoms. As it contains only 1/8 mesopotamica it should be perfectly hardy. Everyone who has seen this lovely yellow agrees that this is the greatest advance in this color to date, and we venture to predict that it will be used as much in the breeding for future yellows as was Dominion for the dark flowers. 48". $35.00. (Salbach, 1931).
Alta California: Bicolor, blend S6D Mohr-Mitchell 1931.Brief: Of Caterina shape and habit; S. mustard yellow; F. olive buff flushed vinaceous; 4 ft. Details S. domed; notched; F. drooping; haft conspicuous, closely dotted and veined; beard yellow orange. Color of Endymion, a deeper Gilead. (Sturtevant, 1934, p. 26).
See also 'Alta Californica' on the HIPS website
ALTA CALIFORNIA (Mitchell). First of the big, tall yellows, Alta California is still one of the best. Tallest of all the yellows, and a variety which has been recognized as outstanding wherever grown. Striking for mass planting, and excellent in every way. Color bright bronzy yellow, form of. bloom perfect, and branching habit ideal. H.M., A.I.S. Mid-season. 48" __ 25c; 3 for 50c. (Salbach, 1940).
So tall and superbly branched an iris as Alta California, first of the series of yellows for which Prof. Mitchell gained such fame, still has great value in landscaping; its substance and sparkling color are still good. (McCombs, 1948, p. 54).
Alta California: (Mitchell) 1.) One of the best yellows to date for garden value. 2.) The shape of the flower is not perfect and the veining at the haft is a mild defect, but it is a very effective yellow and a great addition to any garden. 3.) The brown veining sometimes noticeable in the haft is almost entirely absent in this locality. (A.I.S., 1935, p. 79).
American Iris Society. (1936). Awards of the American Iris Society for 1936. Bulletin of the American Iris Society, 63(October 1936), 62.
Catalog References: Longfield 1939
Sturtevant, R. (1934). Descriptions of varieties: Part VI, Bulletin of the American Iris Society, 53(October 1934), 24-39.
---Carl Salbach 1940 Catalog
McCombs, L. (1948) A critical evaluation of older iris. Bulletin of the American Iris Society, 110(July 1948)
American Iris Society. (1935). 1934 comments by accredited judges. Bulletin of the American Iris Society, 55(February 1935), 79.

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Culture

Quick Summary of Cultural Directions

BobPries - 21 Apr 2019

Synonyms

'Alt. California' in Gardeners' Chronicles 99: page 392, 13 June 1936.

Distribution and Cultivation

Distribution: Salbach 1939

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Interested in Tall Bearded Iris? Please visit the: Tall Bearded Iris Society website.

Interested in Historic Irises ? Please visit the: Historic Iris Society website.

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-- BetsyHiggins - 2010-09-13

• Purple based foliage -- DavidPotembski - 08 May 2013