PIONEER (1924)

TB-E-B9D (AIS Checklist 1939)

(Pacquita    x  pallida) x (Cordelia    x    Paladin?)

Vigorous and of rapid increase with green erect foliage 24"[60cm]. Flowering stems 36"[90cm], branched, erect, straight 8 flowered. Flowers medium – large, well proportioned stiff. Standards more or less domed 2⅞”x 2 5/8”, rich petunia violet. Falls straight hanging 2x2⅛" deep rich petunia violet with distinct veining on a pale ground at base. Beard white, tipped orange. (RHS Trials Wisley 1928)

Very large flower of finest form. Standards circular, arching, 2"x 2 ¾". Falls smooth, flat hanging, 2⅛" broad. Bright purple self. Standards pansy violet to cotinga purple. Falls cotinga purple to raisin purple. Beard board and dense, deep yellow. 3' [90cm](AJB: 1921/22)

It was worth the long journey [to Morwellham], however, to see Pioneer, a variety descended from Germanica and having some of the earliness of that flower. I should say its colour was somewhere between Gaudichau and Parc de Neuilly. (Progress with the Bearded Iris: John C Wister, President AIS. The Garden Nov 11 1922 vol 85 pages 505-506)