■(TB) 'Pretender'

1951, Cook

'Pretender' (Paul Cook, R. 1951) Seedling# 7746. TB, 35" (89 cm). Midseason bloom. Color Code Y4, Yellow amber and prune-purple bicolor. Cook seedling# 1339 X Cook seedling# 5042. Longfield 1951. Honorable Mention 1952; Judges' Choice 1953; Award of Merit 1955.

Additional photos and information may be found on the Historical Iris Preservation Society (HIPS) Web page: 'Pretender'.

This iris was added to the Guardian Gardens (GG) Program protected list in 2015. It is currently being grown throughout the country by its members in order to protect it from becoming extinct. More information can be found by visiting the program page.

See below:

• * References

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References:

Introductory catalog description from Longfield Iris Farm, 1951.
From Longfield Iris Farms catalog, 1956: PRETENDER (Cook 1951). H.M. 1952; A.M. 1955. The first of the "blue failed variegatas." The modified variegata coloring is both distinct and pleasing. S. are soft medium yellow, without suffusion of other color; F. are solid velvety purple with narrow margin of lighter color. Those who find the yellow and red of the usual variegata too harsh to use in the general Iris planting will like the more harmonious colors of this new bicolor. 35 inches. $10.00.
Historic Iris Preservation Society gallery link.
From Walter Marx Gardens catalog 1962: PRETENDER (Cook 1951) Each .7S; 3 for 2.00. Definitely a new and unique color pattern has been introduced with this bold "first." Soft creamy yellow standards and blue purple falls give us a unique and novel color combination that is absolutely different and a variety to excite the iris hybridizer. 36 inches. HM 1952.
Pretender is the result of several generations of intensive breeding by Paul Cook to develop an iris with lemon yellow standards and purple falls. Reports are that it is a pleasing iris of this distinctive combination of colors. Galyon, F. (1952). “Dark horses” of irisdom. Bulletin of the American Iris Society, 126, 22.

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Culture

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

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-- RolandDejoux - 2010-03-25