c ihsL SJtwiA. og. fcvsuuj. ^jojcUcuc. Siqn. 
ShinsL on. (Bloominq. IRIS in. r tjouA. ’fyaJidsm. 
At every season of 
the year, some con¬ 
stellation of the Zo¬ 
diac is dominant in 
the heavens. There 
are twelve of these 
Zodiac constella¬ 
tions through which 
the sun makes his 
annual pilgrimage. 
Together, their 
spheres of influence, 
according to an¬ 
cient astrologic lore, 
encircle the year. 
Whatever group may be dominant, there is a corresponding 
group of Iris that will bloom in your garden. 
When Pisces, the Fishes (February 16th to March 21st) come 
into dominance, I begin to look for the first signs of Iris Reti¬ 
culata. This tiny but hardy Iris braves the snows and frosts of 
March to signal the approach of Spring. 
In the time of Aries, the Ram (March 21 to April 23), the 
lovely little Miniatures appear, colorful as the rainbow, dainty 
as the goddess Iris herself. 
With the dominance of Taurus, the Bull (April 23 to May 24) 
come the Pogocyclus Hybrids closely followed by the Early 
Flowering Aristocrats, forerunners of the magnificent race of 
Tall Bearded Iris. 
Geminii, the Twins (May 24 to June 22) reign during the 
richest period of Iris bloom in the entire year. 
Along with the Tall Bearded Iris come the Siberian Iris, 
distinctive in form and graceful in appearance. The Crested 
Iris also belong to the Geminii period, adding their unique 
flowers to the almost overwhelming display of Iris glory. 
Next comes the period of Cancer, the Crab (June 22 to 
July 22). During the earlier part of this period, the Beardless 
Species and Hybrids bridge the gap between the disappear¬ 
ance of the Tall Bearded varieties and the coming of the 
astonishing Japanese display. The latter part of the period is 
given over to the Japanese Iris which are unrivalled in size and 
have no superiors in brilliance of coloring. 
The period of Leo, the Lion (July 22 to August 22) is one 
without Iris bloom in all too many gardens. This need not be, 
for Iris Dichotoma will bloom for a full four weeks, covering 
practically this entire period. 
Not so many years ago, there was no known way of filling 
the period of Virgo, the Virgin (August 22 to September 24), 
with Iris bloom. Today, it is different. A whole race of lovely 
Autumn-Flowering Iris have been developed that bloom freely 
and persistently, not only through the periods of Virgo, but also 
that of Libra, the Scales (September 24th to October 26th). 
With an open autumn, it may even be possible to cut fall-bloom¬ 
ing Iris during the time of Scorpio, the Scorpion (October 26th 
to November 25th). 
By the time Sagittarius, the Archer (Nov. 25 to Dec. 23) 
draws his bow, old Boreas has arrived, chilling all plant growth 
with his icy breath. Is it possible that we can still have Iris in 
bloom? Yes, in many a Northern garden, the sun riding in 
Saggitarius looks down on Iris Unguicularis blooming through 
the snow in a protected nook or in the slight shelter of a cold 
frame. 
"When the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to 
strengthen" so that Capricornus, the Goat (Dec. 23 to Jan. 19) 
prances to keep warm, and one wonders how Aquarius, the 
Waterman (Jan. 19 to Feb. 16) keeps his jug from freezing. 
Yet even during the ascendancy of these frigid signs, Iris Ungui¬ 
cularis continues to bloom, undaunted by snow and icy winds. 
Wm. Mohr 
See Pogocyclus 
Hybrids) 
