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Spuria
Hybridizer, Barry Blyth
submitted
by Darol Jurn
taken from Spuria News (Winter, 2007)
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This issue focuses on
Spuria hybridizer Barry Blyth (son of C.J. Blyth), of Australia, a world class
hybridizer with a half century of introductions.
Barry and his partner Lesley are the owners of Tempo Two, a commercial
Iris farm located at Pearcedale, Victoria Australia.
The nursery is not limited to Iris, but also includes a wide variety of
other plants such as Daylilies and Dahlia. Their
son also works at the nursery.
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Born
in 1941 in Victoria, Australia, Barry is a fourth generation nurseryman and
plant breeder (grandfather and great grandfather were well know breeders of
numerous perennial and alpine plants in the early part of the century).
Horticulture has been in the family since the 1890’s where they started
in the United Kingdom. Needless to
say, Barry has horticulture in his blood, or “sap” as the Australians put
it.
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Tempo Two Flower Display |
Barry
received the Diploma of Horticulture, 1960, from Burnley Horticultural College,
followed by two years practical experience working in nurseries in England,
where the family originated in Christchurch in 1896.
He has been involved with hybridizing Bearded Iris for at least 43 years
and on a smaller scale, Spurias for at least 28 years.
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As with his Tall Bearded, Barry sells and ships Spuria throughout the
world (except New Zealand, which has challenging import laws).
For those Spuria members who reside in the United States, the shipping
season from Australia ranges from February (for warm states) to April (for
colder states).
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Tempo Two maintains
an Iris inventory with the latest introductions from top world hybridizers as
well as their own introductions.
During
the bloom season, their barn contains a fresh display of irises and outside, pot
of iris and hemerocallis.
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Tempo Two Barn |
To
date, Barry has introduced 27 Spuria cultivars.
One would wonder why none of his Spurias have received an AIS award.
For Barry Blyth to win an AIS award, the Spuria must first be introduced
in the United States. For his
Spuria, no US grower or individual has introduced any of his cultivars on his
behalf.
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| Bay of Silk (2003) |
Bronzing (1989) |
Chestnut Chime
(1989) |
Barry is not so much
interested in an award as he is contributing to the species.
His Spuria introductions have received strong interest from Australia and
international customers. All
introductions may not be for a couple of years, after Barry retires from the
commercial business when he can commit more time to hybridizing.
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| Dream Caster (2003) |
Gold Mania (1989) |
Lavender Parade
(1993) |
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Barry Blyth’s Spuria introductions include:
Art
And Soul (1998), Barleycorn (2003), Bay of Silk (2003), Brazen Pirate (2003),
Bronzing (1989), Chestnut Chime (1989), Cinnamon Moon (2003), Coolangatta
(1993), Dream Caster (2003), Elves Gold (1993), Fly So High (2001), Goblin’s
Song (1993), Gold Mania (1989), Henna Rush (1993), Lavender Parade (1993), Lemon
Lea (1973), Leprechaun’s Kiss (1993), Mahogany Lord (1993), Myths and Dreams
(1999), Noble Roman (1993), Pixie Time (1993), Poet’s Love (2003), Prussian
Magic (1993), Theatregoer (2003), Twilight Dragon (2001), Twilight Mode (1993),
Wild at Heart (1999) and many others not listed here.
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Contact Information:
Barry Blyth
PO Box 1109, Pearcedale
Victoria 3912, Australia
barryblyth@bigpond.com
phone: (03) 5978 6980
facsimile: (03) 5978 6235
ABN: 72 794 488 049
Website:
http://tempotwo.com.au/
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| Noble Roman (1993) |
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Prussian Magic
(1993) |
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