ARCADIA. CALIFORNIA 
3 
CULTURAL NOTES FOR TALL BEARDED IRIS. 
Culture of the Tall Bearded Iris is simplicity itself. The most im¬ 
portant item being- the preparataion of the ground before planting-. As 
Iris plants are usually left undisturbed for a number of years after plant¬ 
ing, it is strongly recommended that the soil be deeply spaded and a liberal 
amount of bonemeal incorporated. Bonemeal is a slow' acting fertilizer; 
its effect will be noticed after the first year and will last for a number of 
years. Drainage should be provided as iris does not like its feet to get 
wet for any length of time. If the garden does not naturally slope, it is 
well to plant the rhizomes on top of mounds or raised beds. If the soil 
is acid, some lime should be worked into the ground. 
When the rhizomes are received, plant them with the roots straight 
down and the rhizome horizontal and cover with an inch of soil. Pack 
the soil well around the roots and keep moist for the first two months, 
after which the plants should be able to take care of themselves with 
ordinary garden treatment. After the first season the rhizomes will lie 
on top of the ground and be exposed to the sun. Do not cover them 
with soil as this is the natural way for them to grow. Plant them at least 
12 inches apart, 18 inches is better, as it will allow space for the plants 
to spread for a number of years. Water well during the growing season if 
the seasonal rains are not adequate, and occasionally during the summer 
months. Cultivation should be shallow so as not to disturb the surface roots. 
If it is found necessary to fertilize, never use manure, as it is liable 
to cause rot. A good grade of commercial fertilizer should be used. 
After flowering, the flower stems should be cut off and the dead 
leaves should be cleaned out twice a year. When the plants get crowded 
and no not bloom well, they should be dug up soon after the blooming 
season, divided, and replanted in prepared ground, preferably in a new lo¬ 
cation. If this is not desirable, the rhizomes in the center of the clumps 
may be dug up and the plant itself thinned out. 
Spraying the plants with lime-sulphur early in the spring will prevent 
the development of leaf spots. This is a fungus disease which does not 
seem to harm the plants in any way except that they look unsightly. 
These notes also apply for intermediates, dwarfs, Pogocyclus, Hybrids. 
ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS. 
S— Standards —The upright petals. F— Falls —The lower petals. Styles —The 
narrow segments in the center that rest over the Falls. Beard —The hairy sec¬ 
tion on the Falls. Bicolor —Standards of one shade and the Falls another. 
Blend —A suffision of several colors. Plicata —White or light yellow the edges of 
which are dotted or lined with a darker color. Variegata —Yellow standards and 
Durple or reddish brown Falls. Self —The color is same shade throughout. Des¬ 
cription is followed by a list of honors received by the particular variety—H. M. 
—honorable mention. A. M., award of merit, C. M— certificate of merit, S. M.— 
silver medal, A. I. S.—American Iris Society. Dykes Medal is the highest honor 
that can be bestowed on an iris and is awarded each year to only one variety 
in U. S., one variety in England and one in France. 
