1950 IRIS INTRODUCTIONS 
BENEDICTION—(W. E. Buss 1950) VL.39”’’. ‘““Benediction—a blessing at the close of 
worship,” we thought this dictionary definition pleasingly analagous to the qualities 
of this satin-sleek, gracefully composed bluish-wine iris, which is the very last to 
bloom in our garden. A self of luminous coloring, difficult to place, too bluish for 
grape juice, seems to fall between 45L9 and 54A11, Dictionary of Color. The grace- 
fully poised falls reflect a shadowy sheen and there is a narrow patch of rich mag- 
netic blue extending beyond the beard, which is dull yellow, tipped blue. There are 
brown shoulders on the hafts and the styles are whitish with bluish rose ribs and 
crests. The substance is excellent with firm, stiff petals. The standards are erect, 
conical, ruffled; the pointed falls admirably arched and flaring. Size, average (about 
5” tall, 6” spread), branching short but blooms uncrowded. Parentage: Orchid Lady x 
Vatican Purple. Photograph on back cover $15.00 
VISTA VERONICA—(W. E. Buss 1950) 
M.46”. Broad-petalled, boldly propor- 
tioned self in the orchid-blue tone called 
“veronica.” (43 H 9, Dictionary of Color). 
The wide ruffled standards are domed in 
form; the broadly rounded falls semi- 
flaring to flaring as the flower matures, 
slightly ruffled and of the same color as 
the standards. The entire flower has 
finely laciniated edges and has slightly 
crepey appearance due to the color being 
seemingly applied by a myriad network 
of subdued veins on a lighter ground. 
There are no conspicuous haft markings. 
The harmonious beard is tipped lavender 
and becomes yellowish deeper in the 
flower. The substance is extra good as is 
the branching. The flowers are approxi- 
mately 5” tall and spread 8” when ma- 
ture. Parentage: Blue Shimmer x Azure 
VISTA VERONICA Skies. $15.00 © 
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD IRIS 
For the benefit of those who are newly interesting themselves in iris, we repeat 
the following brief commentary on the qualities considered desirable in these flowers. 
Color, altho the most important and most instantly appreciated quality, is not, 
by itself, the final measure of iris worth. Besides clarity or richness of color we want 
a bloom with good form and broad petals, the standards firm and held in closed 
position at the top, or nearly so, and in pleasing proportion to the falls, which may 
flare or droop, but which should not be strappy, narrow-waisted or pinched. 
The bloom should be large enough to match the length of stem, which for tall- 
bearded iris should be thirty inches or more. A small flower on a tall stem looks 
“leggy” and a huge flower on a short stem looks “dumpy.” 
There are some exceptions to the thirty inch minimum requirement. These are 
now termed “border irises.” 
Stems should be branched so that the flowers do not crowd, and they should be 
strong enough to resist drooping from the weight of the flowers or toppling because 
of wind or weather. The texture of the petals is important too, and the substance 
should be tough and durable enough to withstand sun and wind and remain fresh- 
looking for a reasonable length of time. Colors should not fade too easily in the sun, 
nor spot too readily from drops of moisture. 
The base or “haft’” of the fall should not be discordantly colored or covered with 
coarse and ugly veining. When smoothly colored it is sometimes called a “quiet” or 
a “clean” haft. 
Some irises are temperamental. To be generally acceptable an iris should per- 
form well in different sections of the country and be winter-hardy. Unfortunately, 
some of the loveliest sorts originating in California are not hardy in Northern win- 
ters and some of the most beautiful varieties of the Middle West and East are com- 
plete failures in California. Quite frequently rhizomes from regions of wide seasonal 
differences will require time to adjust themselves before blooming. 
Rhizomes which are well grown will be more likely to bloom the first year than 
those which are not well-grown because the bloom-stalk buds are formed during the 
previous growing season. 

