MILLIKEN 
The same climate and growing conditions that have made 
California internationally famous as the producer of over 90% 
of the nation’s supply of flower seeds, also produce in our iris 
fields rhizomes of such outstanding quality that we are sure 
you will say that you have never seen any finer. 
In order to produce rhizomes of the very finest quality, we 
make it a practice to replant our growing field each year. This 
gives each plant an opportunity to develop to its maximum size 
and vigor and also accounts for the unusually large number of 
side shoots already developed on the plants which we ship. A 
rhizome properly grown in this manner is easily worth two or 
three small, poorly nourished rhizomes, dug from a crowded 
three- or four-year old clump. 
We are often asked if our irises are hardy in colder climates. 
Hardiness is inherent in the variety and does not depend upon 
where it is grown. There are a few irises which, because of 
their early spring growth, are suited only for the milder cli- 
mates of California and the South. All varieties are perfectly 
hardy and will survive the most severe climates. 
The iris blooming season in Southern California is earlier 
than in any other section of the country. This means that our 
rhizomes have a longer period in which to develop after the 
flowering season, which is another reason for their husky size 
and vigor. 
SHIPPING TIME: Bearded irises can be shipped any time 
after June Ist to suit your convenience. 
POSTAGE: We prepay postage anywhere on orders amount- 
ing to $3.00 and over, except permanent labels, which are sent 
prepaid according to rate schedule on page 15. On orders of 
less than $3.00 add 50 cents to cover postage and packing. 
TERMS: Cash with order. Remit by personal check, express, 
or postal money order. 
PLANTING DIRECTIONS will accompany each shipment. 
PLANTING AND CULTURAL 
SUGGESTIONS 
BEARDED IRISES are one of the easiest of all perennials to 
grow and give much satisfaction with the minimum of care, 
for they can be entirely neglected and still thrive in the gar- 
den. However, to obtain the best results the following cultural 
hints should be observed. 
Select a sunny, well-drained location for planting. Irises 
will grow in semi-shade but will bloom more freely if they have 
sun at least half the day. Where the soil is heavy and the drain- 
age poor, it is best to plant on ridges, for the one thing 
bearded irises cannot survive is water standing around them. 
Provide excellent drainage even if it is necessary to add sand 
or gravel to the soil. 
If your garden is new, probably no fertilizer will be neces- 
sary, but where the soil is poor some commercial fertilizer, 
such as Vigoro, should be used. Be careful in using manure. 
It should never be used in heavy soils and if used at all, it 
must be well-rotted and extreme care must be exercised to 
see that the manure does not come into actual contact with 
the rhizomes because it is likely to cause rot. Feeding once in 
the fall and once or twice in the spring should be adequate. 
To give good bloom, irises should have room to grow. Place 
plants 12 to 18 inches apart and do not plant too deep—just 
cover the rhizomes. They usually become crowded in three or 
four years and should then be lifted, divided and reset. This is 
always a good time to refertilize the soil. Some of the newer, 
more vigorous varieties may grow so rapidly that they will 
need to be divided at the end of two years. 
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IRIUS@e= 
Water well after planting and then keep moderately moist 
until well established and growing. If necessary, established 
plantings of irises may be left all summer without water, but 
an occasional soaking will give more increase and better 
blooms in the spring. Keep moderately moist before and dur- 
ing the blooming season to produce the best flowers. Do not 
water during extremely hot weather. Cultivate lightly after 
watering to prevent the soil from caking. 
Where it is possible to keep the plants watered until they 
become established, June is a good time to start planting and 
this may continue until cold weather. In California we plant 
from June into the winter. The fall months are also excellent 
and they are the best time in the South. 
It is only natural that rhizomes shipped in the fall after 
they have had three or four months to deve'op following the 
blooming season will be larger than those shipped in June. 
However, the results obtained by planting the smaller rhizomes 
in June and getting the summer growth in your own garden 
are in some cases superior to those obtained from later plant- 
ing. If possible avoid planting during extremely hot weather. 
BEARDLESS IRISES 
(a) SPURIAS 
This group of irises will respond favorably to the same 
growing conditions given bearded irises. We ship them in the 
fall when they are starting new growth. 
(b) LOUISIANA IRISES 
These choice irises, whose native home is in Louisiana, are 
grown successfully as far north as New England. They are 
very much at home in the South and on the West Coast. 
We have grown them successfully under the same cultural 
conditions as bearded irises but they respond enthusiastically 
to humus and to plentiful moisture during their active growing 
period. Shipping is in the fall. 
(c) SIBERIAN IRISES 
These enjoy the same cultural conditions as do the Louisi- 
anas. They are probably more at home in the north than in 
the south, but they flourish even in hot dry districts if not 
allowed to get too dry. They become dormant in the winter 
and all green leaves die. Shipped in the fall. 
PESTS AND DISEASES 
Snails and Slugs. The most common pests found on irises, in 
some sections, are snails and slugs. These can be easily con- 
trolled with the new snail poison now on the market. In this 
connection it is always advisable to keep the dead leaves and 
trash removed from around your iris plants. 
White Fly. In some sections of the country this small insect 
is occasionally found on irises especial’y when planted in the 
shade. The tiny white flies lay their eggs on the iris leaves, 
and while they in no way injure the growth of the plants, they 
are easily controlled with any nicotine spray. 
Leaf Spot. This is a fungus which sometimes develops on 
iris leaves and causes the ends to turn brown. The spores 
multiply and often spread rapidly during damp spring weather. 
To check this fungus, spray with a lime-sulphur spray to which 
a little soap has been added as a spreader. This spray may be 
obtained at any good seed store. 
Rhizome Rot. This is caused by lack of drainage or by too 
much rain or watering, followed by warm weather. Usually 
the disease does not spread much and nature will check it. 
Often only part of the clump will perish. White maggots may 
be found in the diseased portion, but they are not the cause. 
When rhizome rot occurs, scrape away the soil and expose 
the entire rhizome to the sun and air. Remove the rotted part 
and allow the rhizome to dry severa] days before replacing the 
soil. Do not allow your iris rhizomes to be covered too deep. 
If you are bothered with rot, it is better to leave the tops of 
the rhizome exposed at all times. 
