Purple Emperor

[Susie]

Can someone enlighten me as to where in England Iris usually appears first?

[Rogerdodge]

I would ask Neil - but July 4th rings a bell - in Sussex I reckon!!

[Padfield]

It's definitely earlier than that - this was Oxford on June 30th (2006):



Or did you mean June 4th?

Guy

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Susie,
Average date these days is 24th June. This year He will be out by the 18th, and it's worth looking earlier!
Neil

[Michaeljf]

Sigh don't get me started on the Purple Emperor. I'm in enough trouble trying to see all my other favourites early as it is (and I'm going to Bulgaria on the 25th)..

Lovely shot, of course I hear they are thriving again at Bernwood Forest - which is great. I've just got past the chapter in Patrick Barkham's excellent book 'The Butterfly Isles' - I loved his chapter 'The curse of the Purple Emperor'. I'd forgotten what a H.I.M. nut Matthew Oates was. Perfectly understandable, of course!

Michael

p.s. Forecast for this week doesn't look quite so good now

[Susie]

Thanks chaps!

I said where and not when, though. Is surrey earlier than sussex and is anywhere else earlier than that?

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Susie,
Sussex and Surrey are usually neck-and-neck, with each producing winners in recent years, with the odd tie or steward's enquiry - 'each way' bet. Wilts a couple of days later, then Northants a day or two later still (Fermyn 100-1).
Neil

[Susie]

Thanks.

Game on then!

[Jack Harrison]

Neil: This year He will be out by the 18th

I love it. Capital H to reflect the divine status.

Jack