VIOLET CROWN 
White 
tot Sx^uisiteness 
Golden Treasure, pictured on this page, is not a white, 
but an enameled cream with a sparkling overcast of 
gold dust and a golden suffusion at the haft. At once 
rich and exquisite, it will .blend ideally with snowy 
whites and light yellows in performing the vital func¬ 
tion of “lighting up” an iris planting. (The principal 
secret of having a lovely iris garden is, in fact, the 
generous use of light colors, especially whites, creams, 
and yellows. In a setting of the latter, blues look 
brighter and purer, and the Dominion velvetiness of 
reds and purples finds the foil to set off their rich 
effects.) 
One of the first growers in the U. S. to import 
Gudrun , we realized when it first bloomed that it was 
an elegant variety and at once included it in our First 
Hundred. It has been gratifying to observe the gen¬ 
eral acclaim with which Gudrun has been greeted 
more recently as it became better known. Extra large 
blooms of a warm tone of pure white overlaid with 
a bright crystaline sparkle of gold, it is easily one of 
the' loveliest white iris. Its heavy, velvety petals are 
unsurpassed in its class. ... In speaking of white 
iris, we must mention Purissima. Although tender, it 
is one of the purest and finest to date — tall, large, 
snowy, and of a classic flaring form. Though hard to 
grow in cold climates, one year’s successful blooming 
will be adequate recompense for all one’s trouble. 
Similar to Purissima but more flaring and with the 
richest yellow beard is the beautifully named Easter 
Morn. Unfortunately, it too is tender. 
Among the hardy whites is the exquisite Crystal 
Beauty — immaculate, chaste, snow-sculptured into 
the most delicate oval symmetry. The stalwart Snow- 
king may become the standard white of the future. 
Less distinctive, perhaps, than some of the aforemen¬ 
tioned, it combines to a marked degree the best quali¬ 
ties of all: height, size, hardiness, and purity of color. 
Pictured to the left is Violet Crown , a most unusual iris, named by 
Dr. Kirkland from the mists that enshroud the hills around Athens, 
which was known in ancient times as the "City of the Violet 
Crown". While there are many fine blue iris and several excellent 
pinks of recent origin, there are, curiously, very few varieties in 
the intermediate shades of lavender or mauve (excepting of course 
the mauve and yellow blends). In fact, practically the only out¬ 
standing lavender iris that is a pure self-color is Violet Crown. It 
is really a deep tone of lilac with a rich, glistening texture. We 
recommend this iris very strongly not only for its beauty and dis¬ 
tinctiveness but also for its fine height and branching and its free- 
blooming habits. 
8 
