*Iris for Trial 
in the Southwest * 
he Southwest is so large and has so many different cli¬ 
matic, soil and moisture conditions that what will succeed 
in one part will not grow in another. But there are many places 
where various species of Iris can undoubtedly be well grown where 
they have not at present been attempted because the interest in 
Iris has not been great, and because it has been simpler merely to 
grow the Bearded Iris and not attempt any of the more unusual 
kinds. 
Bearded Iris like sunshine, heat and dryness and there are many 
situations on high, drained land where they succeed well. A long 
season can be had by having Dwarf Bearded Iris, Intermediate 
Iris, Germanica types and Oncocyclus-hybrids, ending with Tall- 
Bearded Hybrids. The progress that breeders have made in these 
varieties in the last ten or twenty years is astounding. Few gar¬ 
deners who have not visited recent Iris Shows can realize how much 
they are missing by not planting some of the modern kinds. 
There are many Beardless Iris which are worthy of a trial. I 
wish to suggest to adventurous gardeners in the different sec¬ 
tions that they try some of the kinds which I am about to men¬ 
tion. Some of them will undoubtedly succeed in many parts of the 
Southwest. Others may succeed only in a few parts and only 
under special attention. 
The Siberica Section is one of the largest and one of the easiest 
to grow. Many of these undoubtedly will do well if given a situa¬ 
tion where they can have a little extra moisture in the Spring 
months. The best known are the varieties of the species Siberica, 
♦The writer of this article, John C. Wister, is an authority on Iris and other bulbous 
plants. He has written many valuable articles for various publications, and has published 
several books on these subjects. 
Conditions 
Bearded 
Iris in 
Succession 
of Bloom 
Beardless 
Iris 
Suggested 
for Trial 
Sib eric an 
Iris 
141 
