Jim Ennenga grows an iris which he obtained when the call went out to acquire cultivars for the Sass Memorial Garden.. It, of course, was sent in good faith as:

BERTHA GERSDORFF. TB-MLa-Y9L (Sass-J. N.); R., 1941; (Y Plicata X Y Plicata). Maple Road Garden 1942.

rather than...

BERTHA GERSDORFF. TB-MLa-B9D (Gersdorf. N.); R., 1935; (Gargantue X Tenebrae).

 

There MIGHT be in circulation, the iris named for Charles Gersdorff's wife, Bertha. Mr. Gersdorff probably registered more iris than any other individual between the early 30s and WWII. When it became apparent that his iris would not be placed on the market he destroyed almost all his registrations.

 

Would he have plowed under the iris named for his wife? I suspect that he would have done just that, without favor or fear.

 

Bio data from the Golden Anniversary BAIS: 1970. GERSDORFF, CHARLES E. F. (d. 1968). The first Registrar of AIS, holding that office almost from the beginning of the Society until 1950. He set an example of firmness and thoroughness in the early days when it was hard to get all growers to comply with the rules. Was of invaluable assistance in preparing 1929 and 1939 Check Lists. His was a truly dedicated service, and AIS owes to him a deep debt of gratitude. DSM 1944.

 Photo by Jim Ennenga