■(TB) 'Wabash'

1936, Williamson

'Wabash'. (Mary Williamson, R. 1936) TB, Midseason bloom, Color Class W3D (White and Dark Bicolor). ('Dorothy Dietz' X 'Cantabile'). Honorable Mention 1937; Award of Merit 1938; American Dykes Medal 1940. Longfield 1936.

1939 Checklist citations: H.M., A.I.S. 1937; Bull. A.I.S. 66:88 Sept. 1937; A.M. A.I.S. 1938; Bull. A.I.S. 71:37 Oct. 1938.

Note: The variety 'Bright Hour' has been known to be grown and passed around under the name 'Wabash' - the true 'Wabash' has purple based foliage (PBF), 'Bright Hour' does not.

See below:

• * References

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References:

(1938) From Cooley's Gardens catalog for 1938: "A new iris so far in advance of others of similar color combination that they are simply not in the race. With clean white standards and bright purple falls, it might have been called 'Elk's Temple', so well does it call to mind the colors of that well known fraternal organization. The flowers are large and are borne on well branched stalks reaching almost forty inches in height."
(1939) WABASH (Williamson). Medium sized perfect shaped flowers domed, glistening white standards and flaring wavey blue violet falls with white edging. A most striking Amoena-best out. Belsley, Ray J., Varietal Comments. Bulletin of the American Iris Society 74 (July 1939): 15.
(1939) WABASH (Williamson). Here is one of the finest irises ever raised, even better than Cantabile and easily the best amoena in commerce. Standards snow white, of perfect form. Falls deep violet with clear white edge. A larger flower than Cantabile and a more branching stem-36". G. L. Pilkington, "Iris Notes", Bulletin of the American Iris Society 74 (July 1939): 32.
(1942) Judged by the standing it has attained, WABASH will long remain an iris favorite. It has come rightly by its place of prominence. Its tone of pure and lovely white edging as it fascinatingly meets the deep blue of its petals makes one tremble in the presence of so much striking beauty in a flower. Cappeller, E. B., Hollywood, California (1942). Our Members Write, Charm in an Iris, American Iris Society Bulletin 88 (January 1943), 68-69.
(1943) As an amoena I would get WABASH(5), the most outstanding in its class. It still belongs on my list of best iris regardless of price, and deserves the Dykes Medal it won. Wills, Jesse, (1943). Older Iris I would Buy Again, American Iris Society Bulletin, 89 (April 1943), 13.
(1953) "The variety Wabash is a good example of top-branching, but the habit has rarely been held against it for two reasons; first, the proportions of the plant are such as to help disguise the poor branching; and, second, there is as yet no widely grown substitute for Wabash. There are better amoenas, to be sure, but it will be several years before they are as widely grown, and as widely known". [What Makes a Tall Bearded Iris Good or Bad. The Handbook for Judges, The American Iris Society, Second Installment, July 1953. Reprinted in A.I.S. Bulletin 130 (July 1953): 81.

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Culture

Quick Summary of Cultural Directions

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-- LaurieFrazer - 2010-01-17

• The second image is probably 'Bright Hour'. Note the very round falls. 'Wabash' has falls that are somewhat square, as in the other images. -- JoeSpears - 22 Feb 2011