
THE EXQUISITE PALE BLUES 
A Little More Blue than White 
= EARLY 
HELEN McGREGOR (Graves ‘46) *#&ks> HM’/46,AM’48 $10; 3 for $25 
“Have you ever seen the blue sky on a clear, bright morning with left- 
over starlight twinkling on the dewdrops? That is Helen McGregor, by 
_ far the most beautiful Iris I’ve seen in many years. It is a large flower 
with a wide haft and very much ruffled. Its color is clear blue of a light 
hue but with no lavender in it.” Such is Geddes Douglas’ characteriza- 
tion of this most outstanding new creation. 
Never in all history has an Iris risen so high in so short a time. 
Introduced in 1946; the very next year it was 4th from the top of the 
Symposium of the 100 best Iris. Thus it surpassed even the sensational 
Chivalry, which attained this same rank two years after its introduction. 
A very strong candidate for the 1949 Dykes medal. 
Helen McGregor has been written about so much during the last few 
years that we have brought together in our files no less than 20 different 
comments. The one word that we find recurring time and again through 
these appraisals is ‘‘beautiful’’, and this, we think, accounts, more than 
anything else, for its rapid rise to fame. John Dolman, Jr., gives us this 
insight into the variety’s character: ‘'We found Dr. Graves’ garden (at 
Concord, New Hampshire) soaked but sparkling in fresh sunshine, and 
the general theory was that he had arranged the downpour just to prove 
that Helen McGregor was indestructible.’’ R. J. Randall, President of 
the Iris Society of England, makes this comment in the 1948 Yearbook: 
“It possesses nearly every virtue that an Iris should have, and it is per- 
haps the variety most sought after at the present time.’’ And for the 
breeders \we quote H. S. Fothergill in England: ‘’Given worthy pollen 
every one of its children seem to be first-class.’’ EM-32’. (Purissima x 
Cloud Castle.) 
SYLVIA MURRAY (Norton ‘44) *&3> HM’46 $3.00; 3 for $7.50 
A glamorous and deserving new contender for attention is the classically 
formed Sylvia Murray in palest blue. Visitors admire the smooth finish, 
precise styling and particularly the graceful poise of the flowers. Richly 
perfumed. EM—38”. 
GLORIOLE (Gage '33) y HM‘33,AM‘35 50c; 3 for $1.00 
Queen of the older pale pastel blues—like an immense blue-white ice 
crystal, sparkling in the sun. Probably unsurpassed among blue Iris for 
the thickness of its petals. E—42’’. 
LATE 
AZURE SKIES (Pattison ’43) ** 7 HM’43,AM’45 $2.00; 3 for $4.00 
In our estimation this is by far the loveliest pale blue available at such a 
moderate price. It is a delightful, very light lavender blue with beautiful 
ruffling and remarkable perfection of form. Has a crisp, strong substance 
and lasts for several days. Yields good pollen and-is among our very best 
seed setters, thus offering a real opportunity to hybridizers. Pleasingly 
fragrant. ML—35”. 
IRIS IN SKY-BLUE TONES 
Real Blues, But Light as the Sky Itself 
EARLY 
SOUTH SEAS (Essig ’47) x $7.50; 3 for $15.00 
The clear sky-blue reflections of the south seas. It is as if the warmth 
of southern waters activates this new Iris with the first breath of spring, 
for it is one of the very first Tall Bearded Iris to bloom. Very tall, yet low 
branched. Coloring and flaring form remind one of Prof. Essig’s earlier 
Shining Waters, but this is much larger, taller, a great deal earlier. Haft 
of falls with strong yellow reticulations, and a deep yellow beard, giving 
a striking “blue and gold’”’ effect. As it comes Out so early, we recom- 
mend mulching in very cold regions. Has set seed for us when pollinated 
with Chivalry. 
Bob Allen is growing South Seas in New York and writes: ‘It has 
wonderful vigor, good branching and flower placement; the flowers have 
excellent substance and last a long time. So | consider South Seas a 
good investment.’’ VE—54”. 
BLUE DIAMOND (Nicholls ‘38) FCC Award Rome ‘39 60c; 3 for $1.20 
Our choice for real ‘color appeal’’ among all inexpensive light blues. 
A luscious cerulean blue of such purity of color it should offer an ex- 
cellent starting point for hybridizing beginners who cannot afford the 
later creations. Sparkling, silvery, with just a breath of fluting. Use 
winter mulch in very cold regions. Honey locust fragrance. EM—38”. 
MIDSEASON 
BANDMASTER (D. Hall 44) *3y HM’44 $4.00; 3 for $10.00 
An immense, powder blue self, descended from the tamous Great Lakes, 
and slightly deeper in color. Very close to a “true blue’, with a color that 
holds up unusually well. Exceptionally vigorous, with huge leaves and 
tall sturdy stalks that are prolific in the production of flowers. M—39.” 
GREAT LAKES (Cousins ’38) 3% AM’40; Dykes ‘42 $1.00; 3 for $2.50 
A hardy Canadian origination that has been among the first 10 in the 
Symposium every year to date. A fragrant medium blue with great flar- 
ing falls—like the Great Lakes themselves. It is the pollen-parent of two 
of the finest Iris in existence today, Blue Valley and Chivalry; and the 
seed-parent of the delightful Sylvia Murray. An outstanding performer 
in every section of the country. M—48”. 
LATE 
LAKE GEORGE (K. Smith ‘45) ** HM’45 $5.00; 3 for $12.50 
A rich blue, a little deeper than Great Lakes but still best classed with 
the light blues. The choice of those who like the modern form, with 
nearly horizontal falls, of heavy substance that holds up well in sun or 
wind. The sterling-qualities of Lake George may also be judged from the 
fact that, new though it is, already it is a parent of three of the strongest 
contenders for top honors among all blues—Blue Valley, Keene Valley, 
and Transatlantic. ML—39”. 
TISHOMINGO (W. Caldwell ‘42) * HM’42,AM’44 $1.50 
Of all of the blues, we know of no other that can boast of such heavy, 
firm substance and such weather resistance. Thus it is coveted by the 
flower lover and breeder alike, for it is a large, lovable Wisteria-blue self 
of very flaring form. Its crisp character is accentuated by frosty flush 
that envelops the whole flower. ML—42”. 
THE BRIGHT AND DEEP BLUES 
Try These for Purity and Depth of Color 
MIDSEASON 
BLUE VALLEY (K. Smith ’47) &kx*s% HC’45,HM‘47 $18; 3 for $45 
The new blue everyone is talking about as the nearest approach to true, 
bright spectrum blue of any Iris ever created. N. Leslie Cave, speaking 
of this variety in the garden of the President of the Iris Society of Eng- 
land, states: ‘’Blue Valley was entrancing. Nothing in Mr. Randall's 
garden could approach it for blueness.’’ Beautifully ruffled, large in size, 
and possessing a vivacious sparkle that gives it unusual character. One 
of the most coveted of all Iris at the present time. M—36”. 
CHIVALRY (J. Wills ‘44) **s3y AM’46, Dykes Medal ‘47 $10.00 
This may well be the most sought after Iris in America. A glorious clear 
bright blue so outstanding, of such appeal, that to see it is to want it. 
While its color is its greatest attraction, its delightful ruffled form and 
exceptionally fine branching add much to the effect it creates. A won- 
derful performer in every way. Clifford W. Benson, of Missouri, writes in 
the July ‘48 Iris Bulletin: ““This Dykes Medal winner will eventually 
be grown by every Iris lover throughout the world. So scarce one usually 
has to travel miles to see it in bloom.’’ Be the first in your neighborhood, 
and give your friends a treat. Already its pollen has yielded, overseas, in 
England, the appropriately named ‘‘Transatlantic’’. BYSy 
CALIFORNIA BLUE (Essig ‘29) 50c; 3 for $1.00 
An exceptional value, outstanding on several scores: (1) Most fragrant 
blue Iris we have found; (2) Blooms for 3 to 4 weeks; (3) Remarkably 
tall, vigorous. , Large rich blue flowers. E to ML—58”. 
LATE 
BLUE RHYTHM (Whiting 45) *&y¢ HM’45, AM’47 $7.50; 3 for $15. 
A wonderful silvery cornflower-blu2 that has gained tremendously in 
popularity as it has become better known among the real Iris fans. 
Finished third in the voting for the 1948 Dykes Medal, and hence is 
among the top few contending for#his honor in 1949. Abundantly gen- 
erous in its branching—in fact, it is the best-branched blue that we list, 
and hence an ideal subject for ambitious hybridizers since real good 
branching is a character greatly needed to properly display the flowers. 
Has pollen and sets seed. A vigorous grower and rapid increaser, which 
you can see means loads of these delectable blooms in a hurry. ML—38". 
BRUNHILDE’S BABY () Martin ‘46) $2.00; 3 for $4.00 
From the popular Brunhilde has come this new introduction with much 
more flaring falls and of much larger size, but nearly the same color—an 
intense violet blue with an interesting blue beard. Will sometimes give 
you winter bloom in mild climates, but should be mulched in cold areas. 
Delicately scented. ML—36”. 
THE NEAR BLACKS 
Very Black, but for Even Blacker Iris, See the Oncos, Page 4 
MIDSEASON 
BLACK AND GOLD (Kleinsorge ‘43) ** $2.50 
Boldest, most thrilling of all variegatas is this attention-compelling 
triumph. Imagine standards of clear.chrome, almost gold, neatly edged 
in red; falls maroon black! Very fragrant. An excellent seed setter. 
M—36”". 
NIGHTFALL (D. Hall 42) *&5¢ HM‘’43,AM‘45 $1.00; 3 for $2.50 
A stunning blackish bitone with very velvety blackish pansy-purple falls 
and standards several shades lighter. Nicely formed flowers on strong 
stalks that do not require staking. Exceptionally vigorous and easy to 
grow. M—38". — 
SABLE (Cook ‘38) 3 HM’37,AM‘40 $1.00 
An intense claret-black, with a novel blue beard. Exceedingly popular, 
as it is so different. Velvety falls. M—35”. 
ACE OF SPADES (Salbach ‘41) 50c 
Almost as black as the Ace of Spades. Falls a rich blackish, red violet; 
standards lighter. Flowers large, lightly ruffled. A prominent bronzy 
beard brightens up the flower to a remarkable extent. Very fragrant. 
Pollen abundant. M—36”. 
STARLESS NIGHT—-See Novelties, page 24. 

A Rainbow in the sky? Just a reminder that we can help you bring this Rainbow to YOUR garden. 17 
