Iris 'Frequent Flyer' (White Tall Bearded Iris) - An upright growing tall Bearded Iris (defined as those irises with branching stalks with a height of at least 70 cm with many ruffled and lacey flowers) with vigorous large clumps of handsome gray-green basal leaves and stout branched stems to nearly 3 feet tall bearing large flowers with white ruffled petals, pale lemon colored beards and a faint but clean fragrance.
Plant in full sun to light shade. Water and fertilize regularly to occasionally. This is one of the most popular of the tall Bearded Iris for the garden and it’s a good reason as it is a reblooming one that blooms early and in fact can continue to bloom in our coastal mediterranean climate into early winter. A great plant for the garden and for cut flowers; according to our friends at Greenwood Nursery, the cut stems of 'Frequent Flyer' have even "flown" on a Rose Parade float!
Iris 'Frequent Flyer' was bred by Richard Ellis Gibson (1916-1997) of Stockton, California, who released it into the trade in 1994. It is the result of crossing Iris 'Eternal Bliss' with Iris 'White Reprise'. Gibson was President of the Reblooming Iris Society from 1975-1977 and besides 'Frequent Flyer' he was also responsible for producing several other cultivars, including 'Destry Rides Again', 'Early Snowbird' and 'Spyglass Hill'. We have grown Iris 'Frequent Flyer' continually since first getting it in 2001 from John Schoustra of Greenwood Nursery in Somis, California and we thank John for introducing this great iris to us.
The information about Iris 'Frequent Flyer' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |