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Photographs are Courtesy of Jim Loveland  Plant Purchasing/Fund Raising Chairperson for Region 18 AIS

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The two garden displays above were a part of Jim Loveland's garden the spring of 1999. His garden was on tour in 1996, but will not be listed for the 2001 tour.  Jim shared there was no greater joy for him than a stroll through his own iris seedlings.  A few of his seedlings are shown below.  Jim is considering introducing Seedling 93Sx2KD6 whose parentage come from SILVERADO X KINGLY DIGNITY.  This seedling is well branched with 8-10 buds which is good for the midwest area.  The bloom is a bit blockier than SILVERADO, taking this trait from KINGLY DIGNITY.  The branching, bud count, and glitter are offered from SILVERADO.  Veining is not presented well in the photograph; and, there is a darker blue wash on the falls similar to KINGLY DIGNITY.  This seedling was a guest in the Perry Dyer's Contemporary Gardens in Blanchard, viewed by visitors at the 1999 AIS National Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and credited by Jim and Jean Morris in the AIS October 1999 Bulletin.

Seedlings 99-7 and 99-6 are also favorites from the Loveland garden.  Seedling 99-6 is an SDB, a cross of SMART x EASY STYLE.  Kasperek's BEWILDERBEAST is Jim's favorite of his splashed irises.  BRUNEAU JASPER by Pinkston was blooming at the 1999 AIS national convention.  CHANGE YOUR WAYS, an absolutely gorgeous iris, is not photogenic.  It is a "must see to appreciate."

The Spring Bloom for Year 2000 has been exciting at the Loveland Garden.  Many of Jim's seedlings are blooming and more ideas are in the planning stages.  At least four of Jim's seedlings were on display at the Destiny Dallas Convention 2000.  Jim won Best Seeding in Show at the Jeffco Iris Show on April 22, 2000, with his Seedling 00-15 Quote x Nis 2-96.  Congratulations Jim.

For the novice:

Pod parent (female) give the seedling growth habits such as branching, hardiness, bud count.  Pollen parent (male) give the flowering or bloom qualities such as substance and color.  Of course this is not always true but does hold true in most cases.  Another bit of wisdom - just because an iris looks "doggie" does not mean it will give "dogs" when used as a parent.

Identification of seedling - although this is extremely important, there are several choices which work well.  Again, to quote, Jim Loveland suggests the following:  "I use 99-1, 99-2, and etc., etc., for that year regardless of the year of cross.  I also have a stud book with all crosses to refer back in case I need too.  I also make that notation in my stud book so there won't be a problem later on ... Dave Niswonger uses this system so if it worked for him I figured it'll work for me.  He starts with the first iris which would be in his case SDB's right on up to the beardless.  I don't know about other but if I see a one year bloom I like I will relocate that seedling as soon as possible to give it more growing room .  I know Dave leaves his in the spot for two bloom seasons.  But I want as much increase as possible if it does turn out to be a nice seedling.  I figure by moving and lining it out the first year I am one year ahead of myself."

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