4 
FAIRMOUNT GARDENS 
MELITZA (Nesmith 1940) M. Charming and ethereal, this sal- 
mony flesh self is unique and absolutely a new break in color har¬ 
mony. The standards are delicate ivory pink, highly domed and 
arched. The falls have the same exquisite coloring, flushed below 
the beard with the luscious shade we find in the heart of a sun 
ripened cantaloupe. The beard is intense pinkish tangerine, so vivid 
that the whole flower seems infused with this brilliant unusual 
color. The flowers are medium in size, of very firm substance, 
lasting for three days or more, and are nicely placed on tall widely 
branched stalks. Long blooming season. Pronounced by all that 
saw it last year as being extremely lovely and most outstanding in 
combination of color. 40 in. 
MERINGUE (K. Smith 1940) M. The name first selected for this 
iris was Cream Puff and it is very descriptive of the rounded form 
and coloring, but as this was not available the name Meringue was 
chosen. The arched and half domed standards are fluted at the 
edge. The falls are wide, ruffled and very flaring, with slight vena¬ 
tions of brownish apricot at the haft. Beard clear yellow. A 
freely flowering yellow Intermediate with strong substance, good 
branching, and great garden value. 28 in. $10.00 
MOON MIST (Washington 1940) M. L. A clear primrose yellow 
self with such firm texture that the flower seems like a piece of 
smooth lustrous satin. The broad firmly domed standards are a 
clean even yellow and the semi-flaring falls are wide and smoothly 
finished with a slightly deeper flush of yellow near the strong prim¬ 
rose beard. The clarity of the flower is unmarred by any other 
color or venations, and the symmetry of form as well as the perfect 
carriage gives this iris a most prominent place among the new yel¬ 
lows. Ten to twelve flowers on four branched stalks. 38 in. $ 20.00 
NOCTURNAL (Grant 1940) L. The darkest velvety red Inter¬ 
mediate that I have seen. The standards are very deep red and 
nicely closed. The flaring falls are so darkly flushed that they seem 
almost black, and the almost brown beard adds to the dense red 
black effect. A late freely flowering variety with honey locust 
fragrance. 20 in. * 
NORTH STAR (Washington 1940) M. L. A flaring blue white self 
with such firm sparkling substance that the whole flower seems dusted 
with glistening frost crystals. The finely domed_ standards are 
strong and firm, the broad falls arch and flare in perfect pro¬ 
portion to form a particularly well balanced flower. Beard P al <- 
yellow tipped white. The splendid four way branched stalk and 
very weather resistant qualities of this cool white iris make it a 
very important addition to this class. 38 in. $ 15.00 
NUTBROWN MAID (Nesmith 1940) L. Deep copper, lambent 
brown and burnished rose are the resplendent colors of this late 
flowering blend. The amber brown standards are broad and highly 
domed. The semi-flaring falls are deep copper blended with cameo 
brown and enlivened by a flush of glowing rose. The beard and 
styles are yellow heavily tipped with brown, completing this bril¬ 
liant medley of colors. ' The wide petaled flowers are darker and 
more richly colored than Copper Lustre with the added advantages 
of firm substance, excellent form, and good branching habit’ 
with deep yellows for stunning effect. 37 in. $ZO.UU 
PHANTOM (Tobie 1940) M. A winsome plicata dotted and pen¬ 
ciled with rose on a creamy white background. The standards are 
nicely closed and the falls rounded in form. Tall with good branch¬ 
ing this dainty iris gives a very pink effect. 44 in. $ 5.00 
PIECES OF EIGHT (Lewis 1940) M. Tall and stately, this 
yellow iris has the fresh clean coloring of clear June butter. The 
standards are arched and conic, the falls semi-flaring with a creamy 
halo surrounding the bright yellow beard. A smoothly finished 
flower of great garden value. The flowers are medium to large in 
size and of graceful rounded form evenly placed on well highly 
branched stalks. 45 in. $20.00 
PINK RUFFLES (K. Smith 1940) M. The exquisite coloring and 
form of this charming pink Intermediate give it especial distinction 
in this class of irises. A self with broad fluted standards, well 
arched and semi-domed. The falls are flaring and very ruffled with 
a slightly lighter area each side of the full medium yellow beard. 
Deeper pink venations at the haft add to the very pink effect of the 
flower. When the blooms first open they are a clear tourmaline pink 
changing to a slightly lighter tone the next day, but still keeping their 
very firm substance and ruffled flaring form. Lovely for flower 
arrangement. The Award of Highly Commended was given to this 
iris by the American Iris Society when it was exhibited in the seed¬ 
ling class at the New York World’s Fair in late May 1939. 27 in. 
$10.00 
SOUTHERN GEM (Washington 1940) L. Amazingly rich and 
lustrous, this sister seedling of Copper Crystal is larger and deeper 
in brown red and copper tones. The copper standards are roundly 
domed and large. The brown red falls are very flaring with the 
velvety richness that reminds one of the thick soft pile found on old 
Genoese velvet. The deep orange beard gives added brilliancy to 
this well branched late flowering variety. Strong heavy substance 
and good branching. 36 in. $ 15.00 
SHINING SUN (Nesmith 1940) L. Brilliant as the shining sun 
in early morning, this smoothly finished flower is very late bloom¬ 
ing and adds greatly to the extension of the iris pageant in the 
garden. The standards are clear cadmium or buttercup yellow, 
domed and firmly held. The arched and half flaring falls are the 
same color set off by a deep yellow beard. A glowing yellow self, 
larger and later flowering than Golden Bear and especially useful 
in the garden on account of the tall widely branched stalks, clear 
color and great weather resistance. 40 in. $10.00 
STELLA POLARIS (K. Smith 1939) M. A magnificent large cool 
white with great superiority of form and substance and almost per¬ 
fect branching. The standards are cupped and very broad. The wide 
falls are semi-flaring with a pale gold flush in the throat and very 
slight gold reticulations at the haft. Beard yellow. When the 
flower first opens it seems overlaid with the silvery blue iridescence 
of sparkling ice. This soon changes to pure cool white and the 
flowers remain in perfect condition for three days or more. Des¬ 
cribed by an eminent English judge as “By far the finest white I 
have seen; an absolute stunner”. We introduced this iris in 1939 
too late for inclusion in the catalogue, therefore we are listing it 
with the 1940 Introductions. The flowers are firm and rounded in 
form, exceptionally large in size (5 in. by 6 in.) and the sturdy 
stalks are four way branched. H. M., A. I. S. 1939. R. 90. 42 in. 
$ 25.00 
SUNDANCE (Nesmith 1940) L. A new departure in the arrange¬ 
ment of color that is very difficult to portray. It is a festive flower 
that radiates gold and flame throughout the day. The broad stand¬ 
ards are deep golden tan (raw Sienna) highly and roundly domed. 
The rounded flaring falls are the same shade of golden tan with a 
bright reddish mahogany (madder brown) zone on the upper part 
extending over two thirds of the surface, leaving a very wide border 
of gold surrounding the brilliant red area. Styles deep yellow, and 
strong chrome yellow beard. The flowers are well formed with 
very heavy substance and are carried on four branched stalks. The 
strong vibrant colors suggested Sundance as a fitting name for this 
stunning and unusual iris. 40 in. $20.00 
SYLVAN GOLD (Washington 1940) M. L. A deep ivory and 
cream white bicolor with classic flaring form and splendid texture. 
The glistening ivory standards are large and firmly domed. The broad 
nicely flaring falls are lighter giving a white effect, the throat 
flushed with the deeper ivory of the standards. The very full 
clear yellow beard brings out the smooth perfection of the flower. 
The wide petaled blooms have the strength and substance of heavy 
parchment and are carried on widely branched stalks. 39 in. $ 15.00 
THE DARB (Grant 1940) M. Marvelously glowing and lustrous, 
this iris is impossible to picture in mere words, it must be seen to 
fully appreciate the beauty of the subtle color harmony. The broad 
domed standards are rich golden buff suffused with gleaming orchid 
tints. The very wide, arched falls are (according to Ridgway, chianti 
antique ruby) coppery burnished maroon very broadly margined 
with the same golden buff of the standards. The richness of color¬ 
ing and texture is enhanced by the heavy velvety finish on the falls. 
The deep orange beard and erect golden styles give a torch like glow 
to the heart of the flower. A distinctive iris of most attractive 
coloring, firm substance and excellent branching. 38 in. $ 15.00 
TREASURE TROVE (Sturtevant 1940) L. A charming Table 
Iris in Naranja coloring, but with a different arrangement of the 
colors throughout the standards and falls. Styles and beard rich 
orange. Floriferous, vigorous, and with good substance, this late 
flowering variety is lovely for flower arrangement or border planting. 
A gem in color harmony. 26 in. $ 5.00 
TYRIAN BEAUTY (Gage 1940) M. Mr. Gage has the great 
ability of creating irises of new and unusual colors and Tyrian 
Beauty is one of the best examples from his hands and I appreciate 
the privilege of assisting in its introduction. The general effect is a 
