I have been told there is an iris that was named for Sam Davis a confederate soldier form TN.

Can you please confirm and if so send a picture please

Hi there carltondenise, and a big to ATP.

We do have an entry in our database, but no information of photos. Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Sam Davis')

Let's see if we can get @irisloverdee and @PollyK, our two iris experts, to help us find more information for that iris.

I know that Dee is on a tour right now, and I haven't seen Polly on here in a while, think she may be having surgery, may be @KentPfeiffer can help. You might try the Iris Society to look for information, or the Historic Iris Society. There is no data on this data base other then the name, so it does exist. Also you might want to post your question on the Iris forum, as there are several people on there who might have information about it. Good luck!

If you go to the Iris Encyclopedia you will find it listed. The information indicates it is a red TB from the l930's. Regrettably there is no picture.

It also does not show up in the Historic Iris databases of sellers or known gardens and is not in their gallery either.

As Paul said, Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Sam Davis') is a Tall Bearded Iris introduced by Thomas Washington in 1934. The color class R7M indicates it was a "red or pink toned self" which probably means it was a burgundy(ish) bitone since there weren't any truly red or pink bearded iris at the time, precious few selfs either.

Hard to say if it still exists. You might try contacting Jean Richter ([email protected]). She's the chairperson for the committee on cultivar preservation in the Historic Iris Preservation Society.

A description of it on the AIS site states its color as 'A glowing red flower of good form, with domed standard, and semi-flaring falls of firm texture.' Probably a rust or burgundy that glowed in the sun. Sounds interesting. I wish we had a photo or several.

Wow, you guys are good.

Yes you are good, I am on the board of a historic site for Sam Davis and we had a garden club that did historic sites work on the site in the 1930's. We have iris that have not really bloomed in a while and some of them might be this iris. I would like to find out more specifics. How do I do that? I am going to archives and get the records for the is garden club, I have located them. Maybe there will be pictures or some more help.

Denise Carlton
[email protected]

How exciting that you may have a historic iris that has disappeared from the trade.. I'd bet you could even find some folks to grow and test them.. and help Id them... Keep us posted on what you learn.

Thank you to everyone who responded and shared. I did make contact with a few of your sources and found out some more information, regarding the awards and catalogs.

We will be trying to encourage our many different areas of iris to bloom this spring. And one longtime member believes he saw this iris bloom and has narrowed down the location, very few left in that area. He thought he had a picture when it bloomed a good while back and is looking for the picture. We are keeping out fingers crossed.

Hi Denise. and on your search!!

Good news on the iris. Looking forward to progress postings.

I hope you find it!!!

Dear Carltondenise,
I too am trying to locate the Sam Davis Iris for the Sam Davis Memorial Museum in PUlaski, TN. Have you had any luck in locating one there at the Sam Davis Home? Been able to at least find a color picture of it?
Thanks,
John Lancaster