Contraband Girl is registered as an LA.

Contraband Girl is Iris virginica, so no it is not a LA.

The plants started from seeds would be seedlings and not the true Contraband Girl, though similar in appearance.

Randy, has that been corrected in the AIS registry at some point? Are the Wilson's aware of the inconsistency?

Sorry Laurie, I didn't check the registry.

Here is a link that might be useful: Contraband Girl

Thanks! So, it is a variety of Louisiana Iris is what you are telling me? The reference you gave, Randy, says the variety is called Southern Blue Flag. I guess Flag irises are grouped under Louisiana Iris categories. Or, at least this one is.

And, since mine are from seeds, they could look different from the mother plant since it was from a hybrid. So, I could have anything that went into hybridizing the mother plant. Hmmm, I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I should have known it would not be simple. Roses are complicated as that.

No, the matter of Contraband Girl is confusing. LA irises are different from Iris verginica. CG was registered with the AIS as an LA iris back in the 1950's, but the iris currently being marketed under that name is apparently a virginica. So, was CG incorrectly identified as an LA at the time of its registration, or is a virginica imposter now being sold under its name? I don't know the answer to that. However, since you recently acquired your CG, it's a pretty fair bet that yours is a virginica and not an LA.

"Flag" is a common named used regionally to refer to a number of different irises, so it really has no specific or exclusive meaning.

Laurie

Laurie, that is very informative. I am glad it is different because I already have some LA irises growing in my goldfish pond and I really wanted something a little different. The original plant was beside a rose garden and was very tall and magestic looking. I have the tiny babies planted around a angel water fountain.

When I was a child, I loved bearded irises, but I can't grow them in zone 9 NE Florida. We are planning to move back to zone 8 where I have noticed others growing bearded irises. I can't wait.

Thanks again. I know my way around many plants, but the irises, for the most part are new to me. However, I did buy a huge bucket of white with violet centered African Irises today. I have them planted in front of some red rose bushes.

i. virginica grew wild with the Louisianas during the period of collecting, and the person who collected it probably mistook it for a Louisiana and registered it as a Louisiana.

Another point. The virginicas I have grown have always bloomed later than the Louisianas. They have bloomed with the versicolors and have been bred to them, producing a strain of irises people used to call 'robustas' because of their fierce, invasive growth. I got rid of the 'robustas' for that reason. What is the bloom season for Contraband Girl? Does it bloom with the Louisianas or later? A picture would also help.

Walter Moores

I have Contraband Girl, purchased from Iris City Gardens.

As Walter said, it blooms a little later than the Louisianas. It does bloom with my other virginicas. I do feel the one I have is a virginica, not an LA.

It is very tall. Not quite the 6 foot that Plant Delight says, but close. It is the second tallest iris I have. Distinctive due to it's height, but I grow it with lots of water, and fertilizer. It is a huge plant.

I will post a picture when it blooms this year.

I doubt it would come true from seed.

"I doubt it would come true from seed."

Polly, I will have to post a picture if I get them to maturity. Currently, the tallest baby I have is slightly more than 4 inches tall. I will definitely have to transplant it if it gets 6 feet tall - WOW! I have it circling a cement water fountain that is only 4 feet high.

Irises were my first flowers that I fell in love with. I have gone through many phases: Daylilies, Gingers, Butterfly Plants, Antique Roses etc. Now, I seem drawn back to the irises. They do look stunning planted with roses as their architecture is such a contrast.

Thanks for all your help. I will have to visit you all more frequently and learn more.