JAPANESE IRIS (Iris Kaempferi) 
The magnificent Iris Kaempferi belongs to the Apogons, and a field of them in bloom is a most gor¬ 
geous sight. Seeing them for the first time, one cannot withhold an exclamation of surprise, and having 
once seen can never forget their striking beauty. The tulips and daffodils, the great Oriental poppies, 
the peonies and the roses have all come and gone; but the Iris procession is still passing in the climax of 
its glory until the dark royal blue and purple of Uji-no-hotaru, the last to go, fades from our sight under 
the blazing August sun. 
The illustration facing page 17 shows my own field of Japanese Iris, grown in ordinary soil, without 
artificial moisture in a dry season. The Rev. Dr. Rice, who spent many years in Japan, tells me that he 
never saw finer blooms or more robust growth. 
Much has been written of the wonderful Irises that exist in the wonderful gardens and temples of 
ancient Japan, so jealously guarded that they have never been permitted to reach the outside world. 
Many years ago a collection of these Irises, said to be a duplicate of those in the garden of the Mikado, 
was brought to this country. At any rate it contained many beautiful varieties that have never been im¬ 
proved upon by later importations. It is to be regretted that some of the varieties in that collection have 
disappeared, and many of the remaining ones are to be found in limited numbers only here and there. 
My collection is the result of many years of careful selection and study. The descriptions given are 
.taken from the blooms in my own fields, and may be relied upon. It is impossible to get these Irises from 
Japan true to name, as the Japanese send us nothing but mixtures. The varieties I offer are all distinct 
kinds, true to the descriptions given. I have retained the Japanese names, and have also numbered the 
collection. In revising my list for this catalog, a few corrections and changes have been found necessary, 
in order that my collection shall agree as far as possible with the original Japanese names and descriptions. 
With but few exceptions this has been accomplished. The numbers remain the same and will be retained 
permanently. In ordering, customers should retain the numbers. 
Time to Plant.—From the latter part of August to the beginning of October has been generally 
considered the best time to plant Japanese Irises. Late plantings should be protected by a light covering of 
straw or leaves applied after the ground is permanently frozen, to prevent the roots from being heaved out 
of the ground by the action of frost. In northern sections late planting had best be deferred until spring. 
In fact, from my own experience in recent years, I have come to the conclusion that spring is the ideal time 
to plant, not only Japanese Irises, but most of the species of Beardless Irises belonging to Group B. 
Culture. —The secret of success is to keep the ground well stirred y never allowing it to bake or become 
hard. Any good mellow clay loam will grow Japanese Irises to perfection, if well enriched. They like plenty 
of moisture during the growing season, but flooding with water is not a necessity, as many suppose; water 
standing over the plants for a great length of time in winter is fatal to them. The natural moisture of the 
ground can be conserved by frequent cultivation, which has the effect of producing a dry dust mulch which 
prevents evaporation and avoids the necessity of artificial irrigation. 
6 YEZO-NISHIKI. Deep purple-maroon, three 
petals; tall. 
9 ONIGA-SHIMA. Six large, deep blue petals, 
with a white halo, radiating into white lines. Very 
handsome. 
12 KOKO-NO-IRO. Six large, royal purple 
petals, with a yellow center, radiating into lines. A 
most brilliant Iris. 
13 SHIRATAKI (White Waterfall). Very tall; sil¬ 
very white; six broad, fluted petals, with a golden 
band in the center. 
17 YOMO-NO-UMI (Boundless Sea).. Deep 
lavender-blue, with a blue halo surrounding the 
yellow blotches, radiating out into feathers; petaloid 
stigmas violet; distinct and beautiful; six petals. 
50 cts. 
21 HO-O-JO (Ho-o-Castle). Yellow blotch, 
surrounded by a dark blue halo, shading to rich 
velvety purple; six large petals. 
22 OSHO-KUN (syn. Blue Danube). Dark 
Tyrian blue; yellow blotches radiating into white; 
six very large petals. This magnificent variety, with 
its wonderful coloring of intensely brilliant, dark, 
pure blue, unapproached by any other variety of 
its color, has been nearly lost to the trade, and 
it is apparently impossible to obtain it in Japan. 
I am able to offer a limited number of the true 
stock. $1. 
23 SCHICHIUKWA. Ruby-crimson, with, a 
white halo radiating white lines; center petals white, 
tipped purple; three petals. 50 cts. 
26 YOSHIMO. Eight petals; pure white, veined 
pale blue, petaloids lavender. 
27 SHIGO-NO-UR AN AM I. Tall; dark blue, 
white halo radiating white lines; six petals. 
29 KAGARABI. White, beautifully traced and 
marbled ultramarine-blue; petaloids blue; six petals. 
Very rich in effect. 
16 
