132 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Culture 
When to 
Plant 
Clumps 
Mass 
Effect 
cate if they are not subjected to the rays of the sun all day and 
hold their color better. 
The correct way to plant Iris has caused much discussion, and 
many articles have been written on the 
subject. Possibly a different method is 
required in each part of the country. In 
the Southwest we find that the ground 
should be carefully prepared by taking 
off the topsoil, then spading deep, mixing 
a good fertilizer well into this lower soil 
to nourish the long feeder-roots and in- 
how To n7* an Xf*'* duce them to grow deeply downward 
that the plant may withstand the rigors of the winds the more 
easily. Next surround the rhizomes with the topsoil, taking care 
that no fertilizer touches them, for it may cause the dreaded 
root-rot. 
The experience of growers in this section has been that only 
the strongest plants can survive if planted after the ground is 
thoroughly heated, yet should it become necessary to plant them 
during July and August, cover the rhizomes with one or two 
inches of soil, provided no water stands around them and they 
keep quite dry. When cool weather comes, remove this covering 
of dirt to prevent rotting during the rainy season. 
Planted in June they will become established before the very 
hot weather, but a small amount of soil should be kept over them 
during the Summer. Plants secured near by or subdivided in one’s 
own garden, if the roots are not allowed to become dry, can be 
safely planted in June. 
September seems to be the ideal time for planting if purchased 
from distant growers. Planted at that time the top of the rhizomes 
should be set on the level with the ground. These directions apply 
to single divisions, for clumps of Iris can be transplanted at any 
time during the year if well watered. 
Iris require several years to become established if planted as 
single rhizomes, therefore, to get a mass effect, it is advisable to 
plant several of a kind in a group about six inches apart with the 
