The Dean Iris Gardens, Moneta, California 
3 
INTRODUCTION 
IS 
|UR object in issuing a larger and more complete catalogue of our Irises 
this season than heretofore is an attempt to better acquaint more peo¬ 
ple on this Coast with this interesting genus of plants. That the 
interest in the Iris is growing was proven by the splendid amateur display 
at the Pasadena Flower Show this past Spring. We believe when people 
realize—not only what a great variety of color and form is found among the 
Irises, but that by making proper selection, they can have Irises practically 
all of the year—then they will receive the appreciation they deserve, and be 
among the most popular of flowers. 
We have been cultivating the Iris for over twenty years, first becoming 
interested in them through a publication of B. A. Elliott Co., of Pittsburgh, 
published in 1892, and entitled, “A Few Flowers Worthy of General Culture.” 
We were surprised to learn of such a variety as there was even at that time, 
and quite a number of the names listed are familiar, and several of the hybrids 
have not been much improved upon. There is a long list of Japanese Iris, 
something like twenty-five of the Germanica type, three or four I. Sibirica, 
and a few “miscellaneous.” Prices on some were considerably higher than 
now, and yet for those days, not excessive. 
Flowers that are worthy subjects of the brush of the artist and the pen 
of the poet are surely worthy of cultivation in any garden. 
There are some 150 species, found in all parts of the North Temperate 
Zone, and there are few places perhaps as well adapted to the whole genus 
as in our favored climate of the Pacific Coast. While we have been cultivat¬ 
ing the Iris for some twenty years, during the past five years we have devoted 
much time to the study of the whole genus, collecting and trying out different 
species and varieties. We believe with our experience, we are better perpared 
to advise what species and varieties to plant than those not familiar with 
our climate and conditions. 
The florists tell us they cannot handle them as a cut flower, because they 
are so delicate, and cannot handle them in the bud because people will not 
buy what they cannot see in bloom, and they do not have time to educate 
the people, they say. If the stems are cut just as the first buds begin to 
open and are placed in water, the buds will all open, the flowers being broken 
off as they wither, others opening to take their place. In this way you have a 
bouquet for a week and perhaps longer. 
Some time we hope the people will create a demand upon the florists for 
Irises. They have long been called “The Poor Man’s Orchid”-—if they but 
cost more to cultivate, and the price was excessive, no doubt the demand for 
them would come quickly. If we cannot have the beautiful hothouse Orchids, 
let us not despise the next best thing—the Iris. 
