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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Cultivar: Wabash Hybridized by Williamson; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1936
Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) 15-18 in. (38-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color: Purple White/Near White
Bloom Time: Midseason (M)
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Flowers are fragrant Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting: N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Sep 3, 2010, kellydz from Richland, MI (Zone 5b) wrote:
I discovered this beauty growing in a corner bed of my new house. I had no idea what type it was before coming to DG and having several helpful members assist me in identifying my Wabash. Purple-based foliage is the key! I had to divide mine this summer because it was so huge that the middle was beginning to rot. Every division grew well. It also was spot-free when a newer hybrid planted 2 feet away got infected with iris leaf spot. Really beautiful plant.
On Jun 13, 2010, wakingdream from Allentown, PA wrote:
'Wabash' was given to me by a friend. His neighbor was going to throw it away, which is how he got it. It has a striking beauty in my iris patch, makes the eye vibrate. The depth of the purple color of the falls is unmatched. Blossoms seem to last a long time. The capacity to spread is better than most of the other bearded irises I grow.
While researching information, I found that there is another iris closely resembling 'Wabash', but it can be discounted for the lack of the purple shading at the base of the fans.
I hope to never be without this May blooming beauty.
On Jun 13, 2009, straea from Somerville, MA (Zone 6b) wrote:
This is the most amazingly vigorous historic bearded iris I've ever grown. In abandoned gardens in my city, it has taken over entire swaths of ground; some of the clumps are several square feet. In my own garden, it's grown from a very small rhizome to a 2 foot wide clump since I planted it 21 months ago. This spring was its best yet, sending up three bloom stalks loaded with its distinctive flowers. The only down side, to me, is that it's the only historic bearded iris I've yet had to stake in my windy garden, as its bloom stalks are so tall compared to the main clump that they have a tendency to flop to the side if even one flower is open on them. However, it is so beautiful that I am perfectly willing to make this small effort. It's no wonder it is one of the most popular irises of all-time!
Received a piece of rhizome from a friend who said it was "a purple and white iris". Planted it in February and was pleasantly surprised with a tall bloom stalk that year (in partial shade). The flowers have a very pleasing crisp shape that the contrasting colors add too. It makes me smile.
WABASH: 1936, TB, E. B. Williamson: I had some difficulty researching this in the AIS Database as copied and pasted here in quotes and parenthesis: "(AWARD)/1939TB @1936/WILLIAMSON, M/40"/WHT S; BLUE F BORDERED WHT TD1940; A1938C; H1937C" DM 1940)" I feel honored it was named the same as the city of Wabash, Indiana, Wabash County, Indiana and the fabled Wabash River flowing through the state. Strong growth and bloom habits. Great colors!
On Jan 19, 2004, nearindy from McCordsville, IN wrote:
Blooms better in partial shade than most. Small blooms by today's standards and historic, tailored form, but the vibrant colors make it stand out, even among modern cultivars. Recessive amoena, pod and pollen fertile.
Williamson 1936 - historic iris, white self with purple falls - falls have white edging, can grow to over 40"
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, (4 reports) Arbuckle, California Colorado Springs, Colorado Denver, Colorado Gainesville, Georgia Boise City, Idaho Fort Wayne, Indiana Macy, Indiana Cedar Rapids, Iowa Inwood, Iowa Barbourville, Kentucky South China, Maine Halfway, Maryland Brewster, Massachusetts Somerville, Massachusetts Blanchard, Michigan Richland, Michigan Deer River, Minnesota Alton, Missouri Robertsville, Missouri Shepherd, Montana Elba, New York Hulbert, Oklahoma Lawton, Oklahoma Gold Hill, Oregon Allentown, Pennsylvania Pickens, South Carolina Greeneville, Tennessee Middle Valley, Tennessee Readyville, Tennessee Harker Heights, Texas Hampton, Virginia Leesburg, Virginia Alderwood Manor, Washington Seattle, Washington Tacoma, Washington
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