"An Iris Lover’t Catalog?’ 
35 
Looking Ahead 
And a review of the latest Iris Creations. 
What does the future hold in store for us in new developments 
in Iris—what new creations will come forth to beguile our fancy and 
irresistably tempt us to include them in our gardens? Let us consider 
some of the possibilities; many perhaps cannot be visualized for quite 
some time—others, judging from the remarkable progress made by 
hybridizers the past few years, may be expected soon—at least we 
hope so. 
Color is one feature of primary importance, and most Iris can 
stand improvement in this respect—pure tones being the ideal objec¬ 
tive. Think, for example, of the possibilities in blue Iris—you may say 
that we already have many charming blues, but do we have a type like 
the For-get-me-not blue, Cobalt or real sky blue. It is safe to say 
that as yet the ideal or perfect blue is still to be developed. While this 
may never be attained, efforts to approximate the ideal type of blue will 
at least raise our standards of perfection. 
Some of the newer varieties on test here in our gardens I have 
seen but once so wish to observe them further for proper evaluation— 
others, very new and untried here as yet, will be reviewed and classified 
upon future performance. Shining Waters is a new variety that looks 
very promising—a very clear, light, wax-like, soft blue; its wax-like 
texture being most worthy—a quality feature in which we may still 
expect remarkable improvement. Another new arrival of soft blue 
tone is Blue Triumph. I have a (Mr. Hans) Sass seedling which has 
the most beautiful enamel-like texture I have ever noticed in an Iris, 
a really extraordinary substance. This seedling—a soft silvery blue of 
unusual color tone, is large and conic with rounded falls. I also have 
on trial here three seedlings from another breeder that look very blue 
and promising. I am most anxious to test them against our high 
elects, already listed. Evelyn Benson has this same feature of wax-like 
texture; other Iris noted for their remarkable texture are Anne Marie 
Cayeiix, a most beautiful blend, and Wotan, a rich deep type. 
Then we have another type of blue—the medium blue toned Iris; 
Sierra Blue is another extra fine Iris from Prof. Essig’s garden; it is 
well branched, a fine rich medium blue, uniformly colored. We wish 
to see how this and Shining Waters, both California productions, per¬ 
form away from their home. Eleanor Blue is a very broad and heavy 
substanced blue, softer than Missouri, with pleasing gold beard. 
Deep, rich colors can be most striking and full of character. The 
aim here is to get a free growing type with clear colors and branched 
stem. In these deep colors some of the velvety types are certainly 
most handsome. 
The Black Douglas is a rich deep pansy violet, very rich and ex¬ 
tremely free blooming. Brunhilde was a most promising Iris as I noted 
it, a self of Blackamoor coloring with good stems and a deep color 
which does not fade at all. The form, coming from the Dominion 
race, is excellent. Sir Knight was surprisingly large for so rich a 
flower. Usually large size is associated with diminished color intensity; 
the flower is rounded, has conical stands and the falls are rich and very 
blue. Col. Nicholls has given us several of this coloring which I have 
not, as yet, observed in bloom. They are: Black Warrior, Creole 
Belle, and Jolly Roger. 
These briefly are the new varieties of blues from the lightest to 
the darkest tones which we expect to observe again and place in our 
classifications this coming year. 
Our pink Iris give us a most charming section of coloring. They 
are not true pink, yet when you stop to consider, which flowers actually 
do have true pink colorings? Upon close examination you will prob¬ 
ably find many flowers are not true pink, but lean rather to the mauve 
side. The tones of pink we enjoy are derived from mauve and orchid 
sources. They are entrancing, delicate, and dainty. In pink Iris we 
