THE BULBOUS IRIS AND ITS OUTDOOR CULTURE 

 IN MASSACHUSETTS 



By Frank A. Waugh, Professor of Landscape Architecture 



The genus Iris includes many species. Some of these are so popular and 

 long-known as to fall into the list of "old-fashioned flowers." Others are rare; 

 some indeed are unknown in garden cultivation. 



One group in particular seems to have been sadly overlooked. This is the 

 group of species, hybrids, and varieties commonly called the bulbous irises. 

 Extended experiments with these plants have proved that they have emphatic 

 values for common garden use which have been long and unfortunately missed. 



Popular opinion has it that these varieties — usually designated as Spanish, 

 Dutch, and English — are not hardy in the open garden. This limitation is 

 usually placed against the supposedly cold climate of New England, though it is 

 a curious fact that the bulbous irises are not planted any more extensively in 

 the south than in the north. Small plantings several years ago showed that 

 certain varieties, at least, were eligible for use here. This discovery led to 

 further trials, until about ten years ago when more comprehensive tests were 

 begun. Plantings were increased from year to year until the fall of 1933 when 

 a collection of all known varieties available in the American trade was under- 

 taken. To these a few imported bulbs from Holland were added. 



Now it will be easily remembered that the winter of 1933-34 was a record- 

 breaker for low temperatures. Thousands of apple trees in this state were 

 killed by freezing. The winter of 1934-35 was hardly less severe. Thus the 

 heaviest plantings of iris bulbs came just in time for the severest possible test. 

 And, since this point of winter hardiness is precisely the one at which gardeners 

 and nurserymen have balked, the test was most opportune. 



The results were as emphatic as could be asked. During these two winters, 

 with thousands of bulbs in the college gardens, not one single bulb has been lost 

 by freezing, so far as could be ascertained. Bulbs are sometimes eaten by 

 rodents, they are subject to other accidents; they sometimes give up this life 

 during the summer; but in growing these irises out of doors, over a period of 

 30 years, there has never been a single convincing case of loss from winter 

 freezing. So far as can be determined, iris bulbs are quite as winter-hardy as 

 Darwin tulips or tiger lilies. 



In short, here is a group of extraordinarily beautiful garden flowers generally 

 considered to be unavailable for common use but which it now appears may be 

 freely planted in any Massachusetts garden wherever desired. And since these 

 are possibly the most beautiful of all the irises (the flowers are often compared to 

 the finest orchids) and since there are no other cultural difficulties to be over- 

 come, it all sounds like good news to New England garden lovers. 



Botanical Status 



Considerable confusion has existed with reference to the botanical status 

 of the bulbous irises. A brief statement on this head may be of service to 

 gardeners. 



