I happened upon this old thread and it brought back so many memories that i couldn't resist resurrecting it.
I had a elderly neighbor ' way back' 50+ years ago who had the old classics, -- Gudrun, Ola Kala, Great Lakes, Snow Flurry, Ramses, War Chief, Amethyst Flame, etc I was just a pre - teen kid who did some spring/summer work for her, and i became entraced with the colors, and different, but subtle fragrances. She shared those early varieties with me in her sweet and loving way.
I remember Charlie Nearpass, my mentor, who encouraged me to grow more cultivars, and shared some of his hybridizing wisdom, and in his irascible, grouchy way, gave me who was justa young kid, at the time, a few bedrock life principles that are still with me today.
He generously shared his Lord Baltimore, Jealous Lover, Spinning Wheel, Cliffs of Dover, Country Music, Homeward Bound, and a few others, with me. I was thrilled to death, and the iris "die was cast".
Although i haven't always had the space and means to enjoy my hobby, its been a lifelong pastime that i still enjoy to this day.
