The Dean Iris Gardens , Moneta, California 
15 
APOGON SECTION 
BEARDLESS IRISES 
m 
| HIS is a very interesting section, and contains some very beauti¬ 
ful species and varieties. Some of these are as easy of culture 
as those in the bearded section, while some require more moisture 
and different treatment. Many are excellent for planting around lily 
ponds, in tubs, etc., particularly the taller growing varieties. Anywhere 
where the roots receive plenty of moisture during the growing and bloom¬ 
ing period. Like nearly all of the genus, when the plants are estab¬ 
lished they can be allowed to dry out for a time during the summer 
months-in fact, most of them are the better for it-which is an ex¬ 
cellent feature, as it is a time when our gardening enthusiasm wanes. 
Some in this section do remarkably well with no more moisture than 
our bearded Irises receive. 
Mr. Dykes, in his recent monograph of The Genus Iris, divides this 
section into fifteen groups, and we have followed his grouping, omitting 
such as are not in cultivation. 
SIBIRICA GROUP 
These require a rich, moist soil, and pref¬ 
erably partial shade. 
Bulleyana. Also another new introduction 
from China. Pale blue. 
I. Bulleyana and I. Forrestii produce flow¬ 
ering stems a foot to fifteen inches long, the 
others two feet and more, and I. Delavayi the 
tallest of all -over four feet. 
Chrysographes. Another recent introduction 
from China. Purple. 
Delavayi. A handsome blue-violet, blotched 
with white. 
Forrestii. A recent introduction from China. 
Yellow. 
Sibirica Alba. White. Distinct from above. 
Sibirica Blue King. Very choice. Beautiful 
blue. 
Sibirica Orientalis. Very beautiful. Violet. 
Sibirica Snow Queen. Lovely pure white with 
yellow blotch. 
Wilsonii. New introduction from China. Pale 
yellow. 
CALIFORNIA GROUP 
Contained in this group are I. Douglasiana, 
I. Tenuis, I. Tenax, I. Bracteata, I. Purdyii, 
I. Macrosiphon, I. Hartwegii and others. 
They are natives of California, two or three 
extending north into Oregon and Washing¬ 
ton. Some have very short stems, although 
many produce stems twelve to fifteen inches 
long when established and properly cared 
for. In most of these the color varies from 
cream to pale yellow through lavender, lilac, 
purple, etc. They are most delicate and 
beautiful, but unfortunately difficult to es¬ 
tablish. We hope to work up stock so they 
can be handled in a satisfactory manner to 
our customers, as it is disappointing to buy 
plants only to lose them. 
UNGUICULARIS GROUP 
These usually appear in catalogues under 
the name I. Stylosa. They are most valuable 
for this Coast climate. The long grassy foli¬ 
age is evergreen and resembles that of many 
of our California group. They would be a 
pretty Iris for any season, but blooming as 
they do for such a long time in the fall and 
winter months when flowers are not so abun¬ 
dant makes them doubly valuable. There 
are several varieties of lilac and blue, also 
white. They are known as: 
Stylosa. Lilac blue. 
Stylosa Alba. A white form. 
Stylosa Marginata. Lilac-blue, falls margined 
white. 
Stylosa Speciosa. Lilac-purple. 
They all grow about a foot high and the 
flowers have a delightful odor. 
