36 
"An Iris Laver’s Catalog" 
Looking Ahead 
(Continued from page 35) 
hope for improvement in color towards the ideal pure tone pink, sub- 
stanced blooms that do not fade, and of the newer varieties in this 
color grouping, size more approachable to its sisters of other colors. 
We think highly of Ballet Girl, soft and dainty with most dis¬ 
tinctive flaring falls. Two soft types with medium sized flowers are 
Fairy Princess and the more blended Shell Fink. Pink Jewell bears 
promise of being a good massing type. The first variety mentioned 
looks promising and decidedly the leader here. 
In darker tones we have Coralie, a coral pink type of nice size, 
and with medium stems; some people encounter difficulty starting it, 
perhaps the very dry weather has been affecting it; when well grown it 
is indeed most stunning. Sandia with heavy substanced bloom holds 
promise, also China Rose with rich falls, light stands, a chaste beard 
and lacquer like finish on the falls. Caballero along the lines of Rose 
Dominion is to bloom for the first time for us this year. We like Rose 
Dominion very much; it will be a hard Iris to displace. Avondale is 
a rosy strawberry color with warm golden heart and haft. The color 
is novel, a really worthy Iris. 
The deep glossy purple Iris tones are rich, and the lustre on some 
of these subjects most interesting. Dark Knight is a handsome Iris, 
rich velvety auricular purple with gold beard; the falls are darker, 
having a rich mahogany purple overlay, a self in effect; the stem is 
tall but rather bunched. Itasca, although not the most distinctive 
Iris, is a most worthy rich garnet, with medium sized bloom on a 
plant of medium stature. Prof. S. B. Mitchell, a deep ruby claret, a 
rounded type of flower, is a much more brilliant Monterey type. 
In the Blend class much progress has been made in giving us many 
new and delightful color creations for our Iris rainbow. It is said that 
he or she who succumbs to the wiles of the blend class enlarges the 
scope of his field of enjoyment 200 per cent—be that as it may—there 
is no question but what this type is finding wide popularity. While 
the combination of various blended colors can be, and in many cases 
are, most pleasing, we cannot feel justified in condoning the tendency 
to excuse some repellant colors by calling them "Art shades”; nor can 
we sanction a muddy blend by saying "it is different.” Frankly, we 
consider muddy blends an imposition on the public; if you have never 
accompanied artists through the Iris garden, try it some time, and 
note their reactions in this respect—they will be a revelation. 
The addition of some varieties in the tan color group, deserve 
special mention. Dr. Ayres Byzantium, with a large bold flower of 
fine substance in tones of tan and brown with a blue finish on the fall; 
and that bright new golden tan, Tint O’Tan, a most novel color in 
Iris. Trails End, also worthy of mention, and a deeper Mary Geddes 
type with more red on the falls; Summer Tan, a dainty, soft, tan- 
lavender and copper-lavender blend; a distinctive little Iris gem, not 
tall nor large, but we would not want it so for there is a definite place 
in our gardens for the smaller and more charming types. A garden 
full of large subjects only, would make a monotonous and grotesque 
picture indeed. 
Rounded types of blooms are really very attractive, usually having 
nice broad hafts and giving a pleasing contrast to the various other 
forms of Iris. Such form has Sunol, a pleasing blend of sulphur and 
buff stands; these two colors with a blue flush on the falls give a strik¬ 
ing blend. Eros, a pink blend, is well spoken of by those who have seen 
it. We await its bloom here with great interest. 
Some Iris colors are brilliant, jubilant, jaunty fellows, bright and 
well liked. In one spot one can see a flame colored one, in another 
a rich deep maroon bronze. Junaluska is a warm tone of rose with 
golden haft and heart. It is a very fine new Iris. Neon is a bright 
colored, rich, brighter tawny Bruno (much more brilliant), a gold 
