258 
The Garden Magazine, June, 1921 
IRIS BULLEYANA 
A recently introduced species of 
the sibirica group, similar in form 
to orientalis though in color and 
marking quite different 
IRIS SPURIA 
This variety, known in the trade 
as Iris gueldenstaedtiana, finds 
favorable conditions of growth 
in California. Not a large flower 
(specimen shown on right is about 
two-thirds natural size) it is never- 
theless a most interesting type 
well and for a long time, and is 
quite striking massed by itself. Those 
interested in raising seedlings will 
find it a good parent. 
Lady Foster has unusually large, 
finely finished flowers of similar color- 
ing. With me it is a strong, erect 
grower with a beautifully branched 
habit, giving a pannicle rather than 
a spike of flowers. Should 1 be con- 
demned to the awful fate of being 
allowed to grow only a dozen Irises, 
1 would choose this to be one of 
them. 
Kashmir IVbite in growth and size 
rather resembles Denis’ Ricardi hy- 
brids. In California it is far finer than 
any other white, taller, more branch- 
ing, and of better texture. Until 
stock can be grown many will have 
to try Kashmiriana (syn. Miss IVill- 
mott) as a substitute. It is a similar 
seedling, not as tall or as pure a 
white. With me it has been a good bloomer. 
T WO groups of Iris which should be more grown in Cali- 
fornia, as conditions are so favorable, are the Stylosas and 
Spurias. Ins stylosa (syn. unguicularis) is distinctly a winter- 
blooming species. Planted preferably in late summer, a clump 
when established will give dozens of its beautiful, beardless 
flowers. It begins in October if it is watered or we get early 
rains and will continue to bloom until well into the new year. 
There are several varieties, the best perhaps being the lilac-blue 
type, though the white form, with its golden blotch, somewhat 
like Morea irioides, is very nice. Speciosa blooms much later 
than the type, and is consequently less valuable. The long 
perianth tube, often six to twelve inches, acts as a substitute for 
a stem, and 1. stylosa may therefore be used for cutting at a 
season when blue flowers are very rare. Culture is simple for 
they thrive under the same conditions as the tall Bearded Iris. 
If their long, grassy foliage is cut back 
to the ground in July, nice clean growth 
will follow, improving their appear- 
ance in the garden and giving the 
flowers a much better chance to be 
seen. They are interestingly used in 
quantity as a driveway border, a posi- 
tion for which their graceful, droop- 
ing foliage well fits them. 
Books and articles about Iris often 
emphasize the love of water of the 
Spuria group, yet around San Fran- 
cisco Bay I have seen huge clumps of 
Orientalis gigantea (syn. ochroleuca) 
with dozens of tall flower stems and 
never a drop of water all summer. 
This is the tallest of the section and 
its white flowers with deep yellow 
blotch are quite effective in the gar- 
den and equally so cut, with their four 
or five foot stems. 
Other less common but perhaps 
more attractive ones are Monneiri, 
a large lemon-yellow flower; Aurea, deep golden yellow 
in a wider, shorter bloom with waved margins, and Mon- 
spur, with attractive blue flowers of narrow, graceful shape. 
None of these are as vigorous as orientalis, and, as they increase 
rather slowly, they are not as readily obtainable. They enjoy 
rich soil and heavy waterings when growing in spring and should 
be left alone as they bloom well only when established. Un- 
like most Iris, which move best perhaps just after blooming, 
these apparently experience least shock if transplanted with the 
first autumn rains. 
Bulbous Irises and those of the oncocyclus and regelia types 
certainly find in California a climate closer to their native one 
than when they are grown farther east, but as a result of Quar- 
antine 37 only a few Spanish Iris are now offered in American 
catalogues. Apparently for the present we shall have to do 
without the rarer Bulbous Irises and the wonders of the on- 
cocyclus and regelia groups. 
IRIS MONSPUR 
Not as vigorous as orientalis but an 
attractive blue flower of graceful shape 
B. Y. Morrison, Photo. 
A. A. Ruark, Photo. 
