MY FAVORITE IRISES FOR THE BEGINNER’S GARDEN 
in a crimson spathc. Snow Queen, a dainty ivory-white, and Blue King, 
a fine blue sort, were found in Japan by Mr. Peter Barr. Orientalis 
superba lias un¬ 
usually handsome 
foliage, often reach¬ 
ing the full length 
of the flower-stems 
which terminate in 
large violet-blue 
flowers. 
Included with the 
beardless Irises are 
the Spuria and 
Gigantea species, 
which are tall 
growers, often 
reaching a height 
of from 4 to 5 feet. 
The flowers are 
beautiful in form, 
strongly resembling 
o r c h i d s or the 
giant-flowered 
Spanish Iris. The 
foliage is erect, 
sword-like, and 
highly ornamental. 
Both species delight 
in a rich, moist soil. 
Spuria includes 
several varieties 
whose blooms range 
through pure white, 
porcelain - blue, to 
deep violet. Iris 
a urea (species) Iris sibirica 
comes from the 
Himalaya Mountains; the deep golden yellow flowers are produced freely 
in June and early July. Ochroleuca, or Gold-Banded Iris, has large white 
flowers with an orange-yellow blotch at base of the falls. 
Among the Beardless Irises we find many that are interesting not 
only because of their habits and beauty of colors, but because of the 
quaint traditions that cluster around them. The variety I. tectorum, is 
commonly known as the “roof Iris” of Japan, where it is growm on 
the thatched roofs of the cottages. An ancient tradition says that once 
upon a time a woman went to a Shinto priest to inquire how' she 
could give a blue tint to her hair. The priest told her to 'get the 
color of a flow'er which grew neither in heaven nor on earth. She 
tried the Iris flower from her cottage roof and attained the desired 
result. 
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