28 
Maple Valley Iris Gardens 
IRIS CULTURE 
Irises are easy to grow but a few simple rules should be followed. They require 
good drainage and a reasonable amount of sunshine and cultivation. They are not 
very particular as to soil, but do especially well in a light sandy loam. They do not 
require rich soil or much water. They do .well among other perennials if they do not 
become crowded, as they must have sun and air. 
Iris should be planted when the side shoots have fully matured, which is usually 
a month .to six weeks after blooming season. They should be set in well prepared 
soil with .feeding roots well spread and rhizomes just barely beneath the surface of 
the ground. In cool, wet climates the rhizome may be set ‘like a duck on the water,’ 
but in the middle west and south they do much better covered. 
They should have time to become fully established before freezing weather. 
Good bloom the following spring may be expected from well matured plants which 
make a reasonable growth in the fall. New set plants should have a light covering 
the first winter. We find excelsior makes an excellent protection for iris. Most 
leaves pack too closely and prevent a circulation of air, but light straw or hay may 
be used. Just enough covering to shade the soil and prevent alternate thawing and 
freezing is sufficient. Light airy coverings may be left on later in the spring, thus 
minimizing late frost injury. 
LETTERS 
From Michigan—“Just returned from a vacation and found your box of roots. 
Very fine roots and thank you very much for the extras.” 
From Nebraska—“And again I am more than pleased with the iris shipment. 
The plants are beautiful and you .are most generous.” 
From Italy—“Your irises arrived yesterday.” (Two months after shipment.) “I 
had practically given up all .hope of them, feeling sure they were under a pile of 
parcels on the New York docks, when the war broke out, .and that if they ever did 
come they would be quite dead. But on the contrary they are all in good shape—very 
dry. but that is so much better than being damp and rotted. They were good roots and 
were packed carefully.” 
From New York—“Your catalog is one of the best this year. I like especially the 
full information such as origin .and rating. 1 .have cut out so many of your descriptions 
and pasted them on my card file that the catalog looks like a Swiss cheese. If you 
have an extra copy I would greatly appreciate receiving one.” 
From Texas—“Thank you for the lovely box of iris that arrived in fine shape 
several days ago, .and .for your generous overcount in filling my order.” 
From Illinois—“I am sending to you for a root of Matula as both it and your 
s.tock has been highly recommended to me. Please let me know what kind of a root 
you can send as I have not been getting good sized roots of new varieties the last few 
years.” Later—“I received the iris yesterday—they came in fine condition and you 
sure send out nice stock. Some growers send out plants that should have been 
grown another year by themselves ins.tead of by the customer. You will hear from 
me again. Many thanks for the root of Princess Marygold, it was good of you to 
favor me with it.” 
From Illinois—“Please send me your catalog—I may not be .able to spend any 
money this year but 1 want to drool over jt. 'ihe iris you sent last year came through 
beautifully and bloomed well, many sending up two bloom stalks. I have never had 
such fine roots and I appreciate them.” 
From Canada—^“The Iris rhizomes came in splendid condition and are all growing 
well. May I thank you more particularly for your generous extras—this means so 
much to a Sco.tsman. And I appreciate your good service.” 
From Iowa—“The plants you sent were all very fine, and I wish to thank you for 
the nice extra root—The Bishop—perhaps it was a bit too liberal on your part but 1 
will surely be ordering from you again.” 
