Iris ensata "McKenzie Sunset"

Early / Mid Season Japanese Iris.

Iris ensata
" McKenzie Sunset"

From my early Japanese iris flowers to appear in my garden is another spectacular 6 petal form of Iris ensata " McKenzie Sunset".

The colour is soft and in the garden with fluted and ruffled violet, white area around greenish gold signals with white rays extended outward, white style arms tipped violet. The plant grows well for me with lots of beautiful clean foliage and tall ram rod stems held proudly above the upright arching foliage. It produces an abundance of flowering stems on a well formed clump in late November / early December.

This was created and selected by Lorena Reid and registered by her in 1988 from her seedling D552-5. A116-5: (maroon seedling x white seedling) X Mystic Buddha , introduced by Laurie's Garden 1989.

Judging of Japanese irises is done by garden judging and evaluation of seedlings on the show bench or growing in gardens around the United States and in other countries around the world. The judging is governed by rules and standards of the American Iris Society and The Society for Japanese Irises. Other countries have adopted these rules and standards in their Iris Societies and where needed have made slight changes to allow for the conditions in each country while still applying a very high standards for awards given to Irises. In giving awards to hybridizers a seedling becomes eligible for it first award as a seedling before it is introduced to the commercial sector of the garden industry. This award is called a High Commendation (HC).

Once a seedling is introduced it then become eligible on its second year after its introduction to the commercial garden industry for a Honorable Mention (HM). For year 2 to year 4 it is eligible for the Payne Award (Awarded in the USA). While in other countries around the world, the irises that is introduced in that country is placed in a series of test gardens for evaluation and is eligible for a Dykes Medal if the irises meets outstanding standards set for this award.

McKenzie Sunset was awarded an Honorable Mention (HM) for its plant growth habit and flowering in 1991 after its introduction. It grows to height of 85 to 105 cms (34 to 42 ins) and flowers early to mid season in New Zealand while flowering in the mid season else where in the world.

This beautiful variety looks magic planted up to be enjoyed in the garden near your pond or any rich moist soil.

Remember to give it at least 6 hours of sun light if you can.

Japanese irises are gross feeders so a good balance fertilizer in the early spring and again after flowering around the drip line of foliage will do them proud. Little and often is a good rule of thumb for fertilizers.

Water in where possible to help the plant take up the benefits. Mulch around the plants with barely straw, pine needles or pea straw to retain moisture in soil and prevent weed growth.

Remember that Japanese Irises "Love wet toes and dry ankles" so when you are planting these take this into consideration please.

Available in New Zealand and around the world.

* Acknowledgement: - 2003 Cumulative Check list of the Japanese Irises complied for The Society of Japanese Irises.