Candy Lilies
James Waddick (Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:52:39 PST)

Dear Friends,
I have noticed that Candy Lilies (Pardancanda x norrissii)
have undergone a transition in the last few years.

When they were first introduced as hybrids of Belemcanda
chinensis x Pardanthopsis dichotoma they were quite a fad. I grew a
variety of colors and forms. Colors ranged from purple to red,
orange, yellow, white and bicolors. Flower form was more regular like
Belemcanda to more Iris-like Pardanthopisis with all kinds of mix and
match possibilities.

Now that both parents are reclassified as Iris (Iris
domestica x Iris dichotomoa) and the hybrid is now known as Iris x
norrissii, it seems the variety and availability of seeds has dropped
drastically.

As one of the co-chairs of the SIGNA (Species Iris Group of
North America) Seed Exchange, we have had NO Candy Lily seeds donated
in the past couple of years*. A quick Google search of seed lists a
small handful of sources. Judging from Google pix, the range of
colors is also reduced.

I wonder what gives. Any ideas about what has happened to
this garden plant?

And more importantly anyone have seed of a good mix of colors
and forms to share? I haven't grown it for years and unfortunately
the plants do seem to be fairly short lived. I'd love to get a patch
started again if for no other reason than produce some seed for the
seed exchange.

Perplexed at this situation. best Jim W.

* Even donations of both parents have had ups and downs. And
there's no pix on the PBS wiki !
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +