dark lavender flowers attracted the attention of every visitor. 
Practically all the tall Bearded Iris grow well in California, 
but those of the variegata section least so. I find that these 
yellows and browns are best planted away from afternoon sun 
and given more water than other Bearded Irises. The wild 
parent came from colder and wetter Austria. Cultural 
directions for the Bearded Irises are simple. Divide and plant 
any time between June and January, but the earlier after 
flowering the better for next year's bloom. Water after planting 
and imtil well established. Further irrigation is not essential 
but I find growth more vigorous when occasional good late 
summer and early autumn soakings are given. To flower, all 
Irises require a good deal of sunshine; if you have only shade 
grow something else. 
The wonderful Irises of the Oncocyclus and Begelia sections 
and the crosses between them are not content anywhere away 
from home, but still thrive far better here than in any other 
part of America, for we alone have the absolutely dry summers 
to which they are accustomed. Susiana is often seen flourishing 
on a well drained bed of soil not lacking in lime, and good 
clumps of Korolkoivi are occasionally found. They are, however, 
rather difficult to buy now, and our hope must lie in the more 
vigorous hybrids between them and the tall Bearded 
Irises. Sir Michael Foster's Dilkush, Lady Lilford and Parvar 
are good doers and the colors are rich if rather sombre. I\Ir. 
Mohr has just flowered a wonderfully beautiful Gatesii Parisiana 
cross (to be called Juhilio) which is also growing 'well. His 
porolhowi Germanica hybrid named Carmelo is easy to grow^ in 
California and will therefore soon be available. 
Eminently satisfactory in California are the Irises of the 
spuria section. Though supposed to be water-loving, and in 
fact appreciating lots of water before and while flowering, fine 
clumps of Ochroleuca (white with yellow blotch), Moiispur 
(blue), Monnieri and Aurea (yellows) are generally grown 
without any summer water. The best planting time in California 
is with the first autumn rains when growth begins ; do not divide 
them oftener than necessary and only at this time of year. 
Their tall stiff leaves and airy flowers are distinct and attractive 
in the back rows of a border and they are prized for cutting. 
All are hardy and should be more grown in the east. 
It is hardly wise to extol the virtues of even the commoner 
bulbous Irises, for the stocks available in America are still small 
and expensive. Spanish and Dutch Irises, grown in California, 
are however now being offered by some seedsmen. From ex- 
tensive experience before the quarantine I can recommend theiu 
as easy to grow in any well-drained soil and an attractive featufc 
of the garden in April and ]\Iay. I used to interplant Daffodils 
with them for succession of effects. The Dutch Irises fii-e 
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