The Dean Iris Cardens, Moneta, California 
5 
IRIS CATERINA 
]HE late Sir Michael Foster, of England, devoted many years to the 
study of the Iris, collecting from all parts of the world—wherever they 
are to be found—and also produced a large number of hybrids. Had 
he been trying to produce an Iris among his hybrids, particularly adapted to 
our climate, he could not have done better than when he gave us Caterina. 
It is a queen among Irises—beautiful for any climate. 
We quote from two of the leading Iris growers of England regarding 
this Iris. “A lovely hybrid raised by the late Sir Michael Foster, from I. 
Cypriana and I. Pallida; the flowers are of great size and borne on long, stout 
branching stems, standards light clear blue, falls soft lilac-blue, delicately 
fragrant, 4J/2 feet. Award of Merit R.H.S.” 
“A very pretty hybrid, one of the very best of the late Sir Michael Fos¬ 
ter’s pets; a cross between Cypriana X Pallida, having large, conspicuous 
pale mauve flowers, with a brownish marking at base and a very conspicuous 
yellow beard. A.M., R.H.S.” 
The foliage being persistant throughout the year, the plant is ornamental 
at all times, with its broad leaves some two feet tall. The growth of the plant 
being checked a part of the year in colder climates, no doubt the blooming 
period is not as long as it is with us. It comes into bloom here about the first 
of April, and with proper care remains in bloom for two months and more. 
Our own stock, although divided last year, has not been without bloom for 
three months and is still making new flowering stems at this writing. 
The flowers are borne on branching stems, some four feet tall; most of 
the stems produce from fifteen to twenty blossoms, often five flowers being 
open on a stem at a time. The flowers measure 5 Yl inches from top of stan¬ 
dards to bottom of falls. The plants do not throw up a quantity of flowering 
stems simultaneously, as many Irises of this class do, but instead seem to court 
our attention and admiration, by modestly extending their blooming period 
over such a long season. 
The color plate is a good representation of this beautiful Iris. We can 
confidently recommend it to those who have room for but a few plants and 
want something choice, and also that will give increased pleasure from year 
to year, as well as to those with more ample space, and who can perhaps 
afford to plant more liberally of it. Our stock is guaranteed true to name. 
The price at which this Iris is held, both in Europe and by the growers 
in the Eastern States who list it, proves that its worth is appreciated. The 
grower from whom we secured our stock in England writes us that this plant 
is getting very scarce, and many forms are being sold, both in England and 
elsewhere, as Caterina. For this reason, and the fact that the stock does not 
multiply as rapidly as that of some of the more common bearded varieties, 
the price will not be much reduced for some time to come. 
