Over the years, Christine Skelmersdale has raised a continuing succession of delightful Pacific Coast irises many of which made their debut at the Chelsea Flower Show. Indeed, along with her eclectic blend of bulbs and other plants they've been a continuing feature of her exhibit. This year another new one is unveiled.
Like its predecessors, ‘Broadleigh Fenella' is named for Christine's nursery, Broadleigh Gardens in Somerset. The nursery specialises not only in Pacific Coast irises but also in dwarf daffodils, indeed the nursery was founded in the 1940s by daffodil breeder Alec Gray, creator of the well known 'Tete a Tete'. Now Christine also lists a wide range of other choice bulbs and woodland plants.
‘Broadleigh Fenella' is particularly striking. With its rich purple darkly veined falls, prettily edged in white, combined with upright standards which fade to cream in the centre it's an ideal stand-out for the front of the border.
"We named our first hybrid in 1972," Christine said, "and our irises have been the central feature of our Chelsea Exhibit since 1973. The first was named after my mother-in law Ann and established a tradition of naming each new introduction after a female member of the family. Over the years a few friends and employees have crept in as well! ‘Broadleigh Fenella' is named for our daughter-in-law."
‘Broadleigh Fenella' is typical of the series in flowering for about six weeks in late spring. A mature plant can produce literally hundreds of flowers and, reaching only 40cm/16in in height, these are ideal front of the border plants in partial shade as long as the soil is not too limey.
You can order plants or ‘Broadleigh Fenella', and of others in the series, at the show or at the Broadleigh Gardens website.