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The Dean Iris Gardens, Moneta, California 
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POGONIRIS SECTION 
BEARDED IRISES 
| HIS section is a large one, and deservedly popular because of the wide 
range of color and the ease of culture. They are usually referred to 
as German Irises, although only a few of them come strictly under 
this name. They are also called bearded Irises, because the ridge on the 
outer segment or fall is covered with a beard or hairs. To the casual observer 
the form of all may appear the same, yet there is a wide difference to be 
found among them. In some, the falls spread horizontally, in others they 
dioop, and in some varieties seem to hug the stem closely. In some the 
standards open back, showing the heart of the flower; while in most varieties 
they are upright, some only spreading apart slightly, others drawn closely to¬ 
gether at the top. Sometimes the standards and falls are obicular, and some¬ 
times elongated in shape. The inner segments, or styles, are not often 
described, but they are as pretty, and often much more delicate in coloring 
than either the standards or falls. The blooming period of the section varies. 
Those that bloom early in March and April bloom again usually in May and 
June. Others that bloom later may bloom again in the Fall. Some throw 
stray blooms occasionally out of season, while others never so much as show 
a bud after having made their usual annual display. Most of the dwarf vari¬ 
eties are very free bloomers. None so far as we have observed as yet bloom 
as freely as Crimson King. With a few plants of this variety one need scarcely 
ever be without Irises-at least in this climate. 
For large grounds and country places, there is nothing better for mass¬ 
ing, bordering driveways, or planting in the herbaceous border. For a gor¬ 
geous effect nothing in the genus can excel the taller growing pallidas. On a 
wide border, tall growing varieties can be planted in the background, medium 
height in front of them, graduating down to the dwarfer forms. For smaller 
gardens, where space is limited, it is better to select such varieties as will 
extend over as long a blooming period as possible, or select those of your 
favorite color. For best effect, where planting a quantity, we would not advise 
too great a variety. Where selection is left to us we select to cover as long a 
blooming period as possible and yet give variety in colors. 
They should be planted so as to have good drainage. In the case of a 
single plant, a basin can be made around the plant, or in case of a line, a 
trench may be made, as in this way they can be given much more moisture 
without danger of injuring the rhizomes, and if desired can be kept growing 
most of the year. 
In describing the Irises most catalogue makers describe the flowers by 
giving the color of the three upper petals called “standards” and abbreviated 
“S,” and the three lower petals called “falls” and abbreviated “F.” An Iris 
is difficult to describe, and sometimes the description of two distinct varieties 
are given with little or no difference, and yet there is a great difference in the 
two flowers. For all growers to make their own description would result in 
much confusion, so the same desciptions are usually followed by all. 
