I have to confess that I think of 'Lady in Purple' as a dominatrix (since when co-planted with 'Sharp Dressed Man' she pretty much dominated (er, swamped) him, and he had to be rescued.

That led to thoughts of "If I ever hybridize a purple iris that has XYZ....I might want to name her 'Dominatrix'.

I'm conflicted about some names. As Poly said they might sound bad, but not extremely so; or have some questionable meaning, but also have a personal meaning. Or maybe I'm just not sure what they mean! ha!

"Dark Passion" is one of my favorite irises, but I'm not sure of the meaning. I know the words have a recent negative connection, but was registered in 1998.


"Redrum" Interesting old movie and a pretty iris.


A beautiful iris I'd like to get. "Secret Romance" maybe means different things to different people. I tend to think of it as something like "puppy love"---what do others think?

Last year I bought this one at an iris sale. Thought it was funny and well named, but I could see others not liking it.

'Only the Shadow Knows' is a line from 'The Shadow', a radio program from the 1940s & one of my favorites as a kid so gives me a giggle. He was a crime fighter.

Has anyone mentioined the pear named Butt ?

I love how the card just says "Butt" with smaller text below

Polymerous said: I have to confess that I think of 'Lady in Purple' as a dominatrix (since when co-planted with 'Sharp Dressed Man' she pretty much dominated (er, swamped) him, and he had to be rescued.

That led to thoughts of "If I ever hybridize a purple iris that has XYZ....I might want to name her 'Dominatrix'.

Wench, serving wench, Horny Lorri, Street Walker, Slavegirl, Gigolette, and Fire in the hole will be happy to share the space with your Dominatrix.

Maybe that flower bed can be called the red district!

Please don't ban me

Laure, I see nothing wrong with 'Secret Romance'.

Lyn, 'Dominatrix' sniffs disdainfully at your motley crew.

I know the radio show too. In the case of that name, it's not that I find it negative, just that it doesn't seem to fit the actual iris.

irisarian said: 'Only the Shadow Knows' is a line from 'The Shadow', a radio program from the 1940s & one of my favorites as a kid so gives me a giggle. He was a crime fighter.

irisarian said: 'Only the Shadow Knows' is a line from 'The Shadow', a radio program from the 1940s & one of my favorites as a kid so gives me a giggle. He was a crime fighter.

Yes, Lucy! I used to listen to that as well!

LynNY said: I know the radio show too. In the case of that name, it's not that I find it negative, just that it doesn't seem to fit the actual iris.

Lyn ~ I have to agree with you. I guess they feel that they are running out of creative names.

sedumzz said: Has anyone mentioined the pear named Butt ?

• Pear (Pyrus 'Butt')
• Uploaded by kniphofia

I love how the card just says "Butt" with smaller text below

This variety originated in Somerset UK before 1886. So I don't think the name has anything to do with backsides! People in the UK don't call their "ass" butt. This pear is used in making perry wine, and the word "butt" has medieval origins, it was used as a measure of liquid, so connected to the wooden barrels or butts used to store wine etc. As in Shakespeare's "butt of malmsey" in Richard III.

Ooh interesting

I have fond memories as a child, before our parents bought a TV, of sitting on the floor in front of the radio, listening to The Great Gildersleeves, Fibber McGee and Molly, The Shadow, and Gunsmoke. The sound effects were terrific!

I love food, and I guess I find "dessert" iris names very delicious, as well as descriptive. This I really think does influence people, because the names are usually as mouth -watering as the iris. A few yummy examples very well-named:

Strawberry Shake:


Blueberry Parfait


Cherries and Cream


Chocolatte


Lemon Cheesecake

I enjoy food names, too, and "nature" names. Also it is interesting to hear the back story for some names---in honor of a special person or place.

'Jordan's Joy' was named by an iris enthusiast in memory of their friends' little boy who died in an accident.
https://www.spokesman.com/stor...

Daisy ~ Don't forget "The Lone Ranger" "Amos and Andy", "The Sons of the Pioneers". "The Life of Riley", "Arthur Godfrey". "The Fred Allen Show", "The Jack Benny Show"...'The Adventures of Superman"..."Dragnet", "Sam Spade", "I Love Lucy"

Oh, yes Evelyn. And weren't they great?

There should be a 'Flash Gordon' in there!

You guys are clever and funny. I enjoyed all the comments. I think i am incredibly boring by the looks of things. But I would like any Iris named after some of those shows.
Some of which are not PC now.
Gunsmoke would be a good name for something like cow patty
I can see a I Love Lucy ect. Great names on those shows.

I would totally grow Cow patty Love the blooms and it was mentioned quite a few times when I first discovered NGA. And Trumped is quite pretty. Names though do really have an impact, there are a number I very much dislike but say Baboon Bottom doesn't bother me it's just cartoonish and memorable I believe that the hybridizer had a whole series with goofy animal related names.
Then there are inspiringly beautiful names like; Haunted heart, Thornbird, Dancing with dragons, Ghost Train, Immortality, Gilded Cloud and yes Winter sky. Those types of names inspire my imagination and my love for the pants themselves.
I can also say I don't mind Jurassic Park or Starship Enterprise 😜 either.