14 
The Dean Iris Cardens, Moneta, California 
DWARF BEARDED IRISES 
These lovely Dwarf Irises do not seem to 
be appreciated on this Coast as yet. They 
do well with camparatively little moisture, 
and are suitable for edging borders, or beds 
of other plants; useful for the rockery, also 
for filling in bare spaces in the border where 
a low growing covering is desired. An ex¬ 
cellent feature is that most varieties are 
evergreen, and bloom very freely. The flow¬ 
ers are as large as many of the taller grow¬ 
ing varieties. They vary in height from 4 
inches to a foot, depending partly upon the 
amount of moisture. 
We can furnish the Balceng hybrids* 
among the tallest growing. They come in 
white, flaked blue, purple and sea-green; 
and primrose, suffused green. Some curious 
and unusual markings. We can furnish sev¬ 
eral shades of violet-blue, deep blue, etc. Or¬ 
ange Queen, a beautiful clear yellow, has 
proved very satisfactory. Another hand¬ 
some yellow is Reichenbachiana, not so com¬ 
mon as Orange Queen. For white, The Bride 
is an excellent one. 
A very satisfactory and free flowering va¬ 
riety is Lutescens Statellae, pale primrose in 
color. 
EVANSIA SECTION 
This small group of rhizomatus Irises are 
called “Crested Irises,” for in place of the 
beard on the falls there is a crest. 
Japonica (fimbriata) is probably better 
known in this locality than any of the oth¬ 
ers. It has pretty blue flowers with golden 
crest. It requires a rich, moist soil and 
partial shade. It has beautiful evergreen 
foliage, and blooms early. 
Tectorum. One of the most beautiful in this 
section. To bloom well it needs to be di¬ 
vided often, and as the foliage is so thin, 
should have some protection from the sun, 
otherwise the plants become unsightly. An 
abundance of water in flowering time is 
necessary. Like the others in this group 
that we have cultivated, with the excep¬ 
tion of Japonica, the foliage dies down in 
the winter. 
Tectorum Alba. A beautiful white flowered 
form of above. 
Milesi. Purplish-lilac flowers. The tallest of 
the group. 
There are several smaller forms, including 
our native I. Cristata. They are very pretty 
and interesting, but we would not recommend 
them except to those making large collec¬ 
tions, as others will give greater satisfaction 
where one can have but a few. 
