Parade of the Champions 
(The 100 Best Iris for 1916 s ) 
S INCE its inception, one of the leading features of our catalog 
has been our selection of the “Hundred Finest Iris for the Year.’’ 
As we have mentioned in seasons past, this choice is the result 
of testing out many hundreds of varieties in our own garden, of 
visiting each year several of the largest iris plantings in America 
outside of our own, and of an extensive correspondence with lead¬ 
ing fanciers both at home and abroad. While it would be difficult, 
naturally, to eliminate all element of personal taste from such a 
selection, we believe that the respect in which this list is held 
(as evidenced by the large number of appreciative letters we 
receive) is indicative of a high degree of impartiality governing 
our choice. Also it is interesting to observe that despite the 
proverbial variation of tastes, they tend to correspond far more than 
they vary. For instance, can there be very much argument that a 
fine iris should possess a quiet haft (or at least restricted vena¬ 
tion), that it should have closed standards and broad falls, that 
colors should be pure and harmonious, texture lustrous, branching 
and carriage graceful? Probably most of the real variation in 
tastes arises from color preferences, and in this respect any fancier 
can, and will, secure for his garden more iris in the colors he prefers. 
The new and trial varieties listed on the following pages gen¬ 
erally represent iris of high quality as far as beauty goes. Probably 
about a third of them (depending on which ones give a good 
account of themselves as performers in our trial garden for two 
successive seasons) will win a place in our First Hundred. 
Iris prices depend on quantity of stock available as well as on 
the quality of a variety itself. Flower lovers who want the most 
iris value for their money should first secure the lower-priced 
varieties of the First Hundred. At the same time it should not 
be thought that all varieties in the First Hundred are of equal 
value. Many of the newer ones selling from $1.00 to $20.00 each 
are amazingly beautiful and large. As to the varieties in the 
Second Hundred, they, too, have their place. When one considers 
the thousands of iris varieties in commerce today, a variety in 
the Second Hundred even, is still very near the top. 
The following is our selection of the Hundred Finest Iris for 
1936- 
White 
Selfs 
(1A) 
I Crystal Beauty 
I Easter Morn 
Gudrun 
Purissima 
Snowking 
Venus de Milo 
Plicatas 
(IB) 
C Los Angeles 
Sacramento 
San Francisco 
Tarantella 
v Theodolinda 
Amoenas 
(1C) 
r 
Dorothy Dietz 
Marquita 
Shah Jehan 
Light 
Blues 
(2A) 
( Blue Triumph 
El Capitan 
Pacific 
- 1 Paulette 
Sensation 
Shining Waters 
Summer Cloud 
Medium 
Blues 
(2B) 
( Aline 
Blue Monarch 
Cydnus 
Indigo Bunting 
Missouri 
San Diego 
Sierra Blue 
Violets 
(2C) 
r Black Wings 
Blue Velvet 
Meldoric 
Mrs. J. L. Gibson 
Royal Beauty 
<. St. Louis 
Samba-Diouf 
Sir Michael 
Tenaya 
Valor 
Winneshiek 
Blue 
Blends 
(2X) 
/ Evolution 
| K. V. Ayres 
Ningal 
Persia 
Serenite 
Purples 
(4C) 
f Directeur Pinelle 
Itasca 
Legend 
Magenta 
Motif 
Red Dominion 
v Waconda 
“Reds" 
and 
Coppers 
(5A) 
Burning Bronze 
Cheerio 
Dauntless 
) Ethel Peckham 
Grace Sturtevant 
Indian Chief 
Joycette 
v Spokan 
Mauve 
and 
Mauve 
Blends 
(3A) 
Pink 
Blends 
(4X) 
Light 
Pinks 
(4A) 
Medium 
Pinks 
(4B) 
f Anne Marie Cayeux 
Baldwin 
Dolly Madison 
1 Ozone 
Pres. Pilkington 
Violet Crown 
Wm. Mohr 
f Golden Light 
Hollywood 
Midgard 
Noweta 
V Rameses 
f Airy Dream 
| Dog Rose 
J Imperial Blush 
Pink Opal 
Pink Satin 
Trostringer 
Frieda Mohr 
Mary Senni 
Rose Dominion 
V Rose Petal 
Bronze 
Purples 
(5B) 
l 
Depute Nomblot 
JEB Stuart 
Mrs. Valery West 
Shirvan 
Yellow 
Bicolors 
(6A) 
f El Tovar 
Henri Riviere 
King Juba 
Picador 
V Vision 
Yellow 
Blends 
(6X) 
l 
Jean Cayeux 
Mary Geddes 
Sunol 
Tint O’Tan 
Yellow 
Selfs 
(6B) 
r California Gold 
Chromylla 
Eclador 
Happy Days 
Lady Paramount 
Phebus 
14 
