Tall Bearded Iris 'Amas': An 1885 Foster Collection

Tall Bearded Iris 'Amas'

Collected by Sir Michael Foster in 1885, Iris 'Amas' represents one of the earliest named tall bearded iris selections—predating organized hybridization programs and originating as a wild-collected or early garden form. Foster, a Cambridge physiology professor and pioneering iris enthusiast, was instrumental in establishing the scientific basis for iris classification and breeding.

Botanical Classification

• Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Iris (EYE-ris)
• Cultivar: 'Amas'
• Type: Tall Bearded Iris (TB) — historic species selection

Sir Michael Foster: The Father of Modern Iris Breeding

Foster (1836–1907) transformed iris cultivation from a hobby into a science. His 1885 collection of 'Amas' (likely from the Amasya region of northern Turkey, a center of Iris diversity) represents the raw genetic material from which modern TB irises were built. Foster's work with species like I. mesopotamica, I. cypriana, and I. pallida created the tetraploid lines that underlie virtually all modern tall bearded irises.

Significance of 'Amas'

As an 1885 collection, 'Amas' is not a hybrid in the modern sense but a selected form of a species or natural hybrid. It likely exhibits the simpler, species-like characteristics: narrower petals, less branching, lighter substance, but potentially intense color, fragrance, and the rugged vigor of wild progenitors. Growing 'Amas' is like growing a piece of the genetic foundation of every modern TB iris.

Cultivation and Historical Value

Culture follows species iris preferences: full sun, very well-drained soil (gritty, alkaline ideal), shallow planting. May be more susceptible to modern garden diseases than selected cultivars. Invaluable for species iris collections, historical gardens, and breeding programs seeking to reintroduce lost genetic diversity. A living link to the origins of the modern tall bearded iris.