BETTER PEONIES—BY GUMM 
19 
IRIS 
Bearded IRISES will grow in almost any location, 
providing that the plants have reasonably good drain¬ 
age. If the soil is inclined to be wet, make the bed 
8 to 10 inches deep, placing a layer of drainage 
material on the bottom, then replacing the top soil. 
Bearded IRISES do not require a rich soil, but suc¬ 
ceed best in full sun. 
The Beardless Irises, like the Japanese, Siberian, 
and so on, grow readily in moist places, and are espe¬ 
cially useful on the bank of a stream, or surrounding 
a pool or large pond. IRISES well deserve the fore¬ 
ground and open view. Their contrasting colors pre¬ 
sent striking displays, they are softly iridescent, mys¬ 
terious as the opal, hardy as the goldenrod, and no 
flower is easier to grow. 
IRISES are adaptable and desirable for borders, 
along walks, drives, pools, streams, beds, foundations, 
terraces, walls, steps, etc. Masses of color are prefer¬ 
able. There should be 10 to 100 plants of a variety in 
a solid group for general display. 
Bearded Irises may safely be planted at any time, 
although July and August are considered the ideal 
months. Many people purchase and transplant Bearded 
Irises, while in bloom, which permits a satisfactory 
color arrangement? 
Beardless Irises are best planted in early spring 
or late July, August, and September. 
Irises are priced for well grown single rhizomes. 
In planting, barely cover the rhizome (the fleshy 
part of the root), but allow the roots to extend deeper 
into the soil to act as anchors until the new roots are 
formed. They may be planted from 10 to 15 inches 
apart, depending upon the effect desired. 
By planting various types, including Dwarfs, 
Early May flowering, Tall Bearded, Siberian, Water 
Irises and Japanese, the blooming season may be pro¬ 
longed from Early May until mid-July. 
