Dreer's Autumn Catalogue, 18^S. 



■^s^. i r 



IRIS. 



(Flowering- Flag:— Fleur-de-Lis.) 

 Hardy spring and summer blooming plants, bearing large, rich and variou 

 flowers. They are of easy culture, and thrive in any good garden soil, re- 

 quiring but little care. No garden should be 

 without some of the varieties, especially as they 

 are valuable for cutting. 



Culture. — The common varieties of Iris are 

 well-known favorites of the border, and the whole 

 family have claims on the attention of amateurs, on 

 account of their excellent faculty of taking care of 

 themselves if properly planted in the first instance. 

 The tuberous or bulbous-rooted kinds do not require 

 a rich soil, but a sandy loam will suit them well, 

 and they thrive in peat. The English and Spanish 

 varieties should be planted out in clumps in front 

 of a shrubbery border, where they may be seen to 

 advantage. The crown of the bulb must not be 

 more than 3 inches below the surface. From Sep- 

 tember to December will answer for planting, and 

 the roots may be taken up when the flowering 

 period is over, or if the space is not wanted they 

 can be allowed to remain for the following season ; 

 but they should not be grown in one spot for more 

 than three years. 



s col 



Iris Susiana. 



IRIS SUSIANA. 



In that wonderful combination of 

 form and coloring of the rare sweet 

 flower we call the Iris (eye of heaven) 

 there is none so peculiarly beautiful 

 as Susiana. It stands out it its own 

 right as the grandest of all species, 

 and without compare. The ground- 

 work of the flower is silvery gray, so 

 mottled and veined and lined with 

 dark chocolate and black as to leave 

 one under the impression that it was 

 only a silver lining showing through. 

 It is hardy with slight protection in 

 winter, blooming early in spring. No 

 description can do it justice. It must 

 be seen to be appreciated. 20 cts. 

 each, $2 per doz. 



ENGLISH IRIS. 



(Anglica.) 

 Large, handsome flowers, with rich 

 purple, blue and lilac colors predomi- 

 nating ; grows 18 to 20 inches high ; 

 perfectly hardy. Mixed varieties. 3 

 for 10 cts., 25 cts. per doz., Si. 50 per 

 100. (See cut.) 



SPANISH IRIS. 



Excellent for pot culture, and are now being grown for cut- 

 flowers. Plant in the open ground in autumn and protect 

 slightly during the winter months. Early in April cover the 

 beds with glass, and flowers will be ready for cutting in May. 



Each 



Mixed. Varieties 



William 1st. Best yellow $0 05 



Mont Blanc. Pure white 5 



English Iris. 



German Iris. 



GERMAN IRIS. 



(Iris Germanica.) 

 Well-known as the " Fleur-de- 

 Lis," the national flower of 

 France. They are perfectly hardy, 

 thrive anywhere, grow and bloom 

 "uxuriantly, particularly if plenti- 

 fully supplied with water, or if 

 — planted in moist situations, as on 

 the banks of ponds, etc. Plants 

 well established produce from 50 

 to 100 spikes of bloom, the flow- 

 ers rivaling in beaut)' the finest 

 Orchids — color ranging through 

 richest yellows, intense purples, 

 delicate blues, soft mauves, beau- 

 tiful claret-reds, whites, prim- 

 roses and bronzes of every imag- 

 inable shade. Twelve choice 

 named beautiful varieties, 20 cts. 

 each, 82 per doz. ; mixed varieties 

 10 cts. each, 81 per doz. Ready in 

 November. (See cut.) 



DZ. 



IOO 



20 



$1 00 



40 



2 00 



40 



2 00 



IRIS PAVONIA. 



(Peacock Iris.) 



An exquisite small variety ; flowers pure white, with a blue 

 triangle on each petal ; 1 foot. 5 cts. each, 50 cts. per doz. 

 (See cut.) 



Japan Iris. 



IRIS KAMEPFERI. 



(Japan Iris.) 



READY IN OCTOBER. 



These beautiful Iris are quite 

 distinct from all others, and 

 form groups of handsome, 

 large flowers, varying in color 

 and richly mottled. They are 

 perfectly hardy, and flower in 

 great profusion in June and 

 July. They thrive best in 

 damp situations, and in dry 

 weather should be freely wa- 

 tered. Mixed varieties, 15 cts. 

 each, by mail 20 cts.; fi.50 

 per doz. 



IRIS FCETIDISSIMA VA- 

 RIEGATA. A splendid 

 decorative plant ; its beauti- 

 ful foliage makes it unri- 

 valed for garden terraces, 

 parks, etc. 20 cts. each, 

 $2 per doz. 



Iris Favonia. 



