Iris ODDITIES and RARITIES 
Iris from the Uttermost Parts of the Earth for YOUR Iris Wonderland 
How true it is that “Distance lends enchantment.” Is there anyone who does not 
secretly wish he might start today on a leisurely trip around the world? If you are an 
Iris lover, I know what you would be looking for. But just in case your journey is delayed, 
I have gathered in for you, from the four corners of the earth, those Iris rarities you 
would see if you were to travel far and wide; and I present for your enjoyment lightning- 
quick magic carpet excursions to remote places, and the Iris peculiar to them. These 
include various floral treasures not elsewhere available in America. These do not have 
the huge flowers, tall stems and large rhizomes of familiar Tall Bearded Iris; rather, they 
are sought for their charm and daintiness, their usefulness in flower arrangements and 
corsages, their habit of blooming when flowers are scarce, or their strange appearance. 
In short, they are UNUSUAL. Nearly every year there will be new kinds for you. Shipped 
chiefly in fall: some in late summer if plants mature early. Order NOW to get your 
choice. Full cultural directions in my MANUAL. 
RARE BULBOUS IRIS FOR GARDEN OR POT CULTURE 
The First Two Are Juno Iris; the Last Two Are Reticulatas 
BOKHARA IRIS (Iris bucharica) * * k # 2 for $1.55; 4 for $2.75 | 
Our first flight by magic carpet is to distant Bokhara, a country we find as steeped in | 
mysticism as its neighbors, Afghanistan and India. The Iris inhabiting that segment 
of the earth's surface is so utterly unique, yet adorable, it is unlikely you have ever 
seen one that even faintly resembles it. So I include a life-like portraiture. Strangest 
feature of this Iris is that its flowers are borne in the axils of leaves, which look for all 
the world like those of Indian corn. Real standards are minute, and what seem to be 
standards are actually enlarged ivory style crests. Falls deep yellow, with ridge down 
the center. I feel most fortunate in being able to offer this fully hardy novelty to 
American Iris enthusiasts. VE—15”. 
SCORPION IRIS (Iris Alata) * * # © 3 for $1.45; 6 for $2.65 
For fields of color in mid-winter we turn our course to the shores of the Mediterranean 
—to Spain, Sardinia, Sicily and Tripoli. Here the strange Scorpion Iris blooms in pro- 
fusion from November to January. | have tried for years to obtain a supply of this for 
your winter blooms, and now, at last, I can offer it. Comes in various shades of blue 
and has novel corn-like leaves, as does Bokhara. Also unusual because of the con- 
spicuous wings on the hafts of the falls. In cold regions plant in pots, cold frame or 
greenhouse for your winter blooms. 7”. 
FRAGRANT IRIS (Iris reticulata) # © 12 for $1.55; 24 for $2.75 
Next a quick jaunt to Turkey and Persia, where, in earliest spring, fields of Fragrant 
Iris perfume the air and vie for color brilliance with precious turquoise from the mines. 
A dozen will scent a room with the fragrance of violets. A dazzling red violet. On the 

BOKHARA—Rare Bulbous Iris 

-TEUCROS (Oncogelia Hybrid) # © 
_ ZEBRA (Pallida variegata) * * # 

falls is a golden area surrounded by black, giving a “tigerskin’ appeaarnce. Of 
easiest culture. Prized for edgings, rock gardens, for forcing in 
pots. Plant 6 in a 4-inch pot in the fall for Christmas bloom. Hardy 
out of doors with reasonable protection. EE—6”. 
SKY-BLUE RETICULATA (Cantab) * # © 4 for $1.45; 8 for $2.65 
So many have asked for another color form to plant with their regu- 
lar Reticulatas that I am this year adding this prettiest one of all— 
a light sky blue with an orange signal—ideal for contrast. EE—6”. 
The Only TUBEROUS Iris—(Handled like Bulbous Iris) 
SNAKE'S HEAD IRIS * k # © 12 for $1.75; 24 for $2.95 
Our roving instincts now take us to Greece for the most curious 
member of the diverse Iris family. Certainly you have never seen 
an Iris like this: Instead of standards, 6 erect style crests gleaming 
in mysterious jade-green, daringly poised above velvety falls, black 
as midnight, tipped in deeper green. As strange as they come, but 
hardy, charming, fragrant, small enough for miniature bouquets; 
hence grown by florists for their most exclusive corsages. Why not 
grow your own? Available to us only on imports from abroad. 
EE—4” to 14”. (Hermodactylus tuberosa.) 
Curious RHIZOMATOUS Iris 
DAFFY (DeForest '47) k xk * $3.00 
The only Tall Bearded Iris I consider sufficiently odd for inclusion 
on this page. While generally classed as a plicata or fancy, it is 
a strange one indeed! For here the creamy-white ground of the 
falls is peppered and boldly marbled and zebra-striped in maroon- 
violet in an infinitely variable manner. Also valuable to hybridizers, 
as this striking color-pattern often appears in its seedlings. M—38". 
DOROTHEA * AM Royal Hort. Soc. # © 50c * 
Trim modern form with nicely arched standards and stiff, flaring 
falls? Goodness no! This has that delightful wind-blown effect 
which departs from all formality. A pale lavender white, flushed and 
dappled in lavender and deep amethyst. May prove useful in breed- 
ing toward Bearded Iris of a flat “Japanese” style. VE—16”. 
$1.25; 3 for $2.50; 10 for $7.50 
Next we go to Holland, where this striking hybrid orignated from 
parents from Palestine and Turkestan. Described on page 5. So 
striking, listed here so it can be included in the Oddities Collections. 
oes 
2 for $1.75; 4 for $3.35 
An oddity deluxe, also from Holland. The only Iris with leaves 
striped in creamy yellow and green in a pattern much like that of 
a Zebra. Has striking ornamental value from early spring till late 
fall. Makes excellent edgings or clumps to attract attention. Just the 
thing for individualistic flower arrangements and corsages. Flowers 
light blue. M—30”. See photograph on page 24. 
Exciting WIDE Crosses 
I present this year 4 of the widest Iris crosses ever achieved, and 
representing combinations of parents from distantly separated portions 
of the earth’s surface. 
HOOGSAN (Regelia-Bearded Hybrid) (Samuelson '47) * * $4.00 
As its name implies, this comes from Hoogiana x San Francisco. The 
seed-parent is native to Southern Turkestan, and San Francisco was 
Dykes Medal winner for America in 1927, noted for tall stems and 
low, candelabra branching. There are many crosses of Oncos and 
Bearded Iris, but only a few Regelias and Bearded, and we believe 
this is the finest of them all. Its flowers and foliage are strongly sug- 
gestive of Hoogiana, but on a much larger scale. The flower stalk is 
tall, nicely branched, and the perfection of the form of Hoogiana has 
been maintained in this new giant. A smooth delphinium blue. The 
first of a new race. E—36”. 
SPOTLESS (Regelia-Bearded Hybrid) (H. P. Sass ‘39) $1.25 
From the wide cross of Hoogiana pollinated with the Dwarf Elf 
Queen has come this hardy, floriferous gem, dainty, almost like a 
white Hoogiana in form of flower, but larger and easier to grow. 
Fine for corsages. A highlight of the early Iris garden. VE—18”. 
PALTEC (Evansia-Bearded Hybrid) # $1.00 
A hybrid resulting from cossing Pallida x Tectorum; so from Tyrol in 
Austria, the home of Pallida, we bound half-way round the world to 
Yunnan, in southwestern China, where Tectorum is indigenous. The 
hybrid Paltec is a dainty sky-blue self of rare beauty, having both 
the crest of the crested Tectorum and the beard of the bearded 
Pallida, the beard being superimposed on top of the crest. EM—18". 
SHERIFFA (Oncogelia-Bearded Hybrid) (White ‘42) # © $1: 3 for $2.50 
The most noteworthy of the extremely rare hybrids containing blood 
of Oncos, Regelias and Tall Bearded Iris. Thus its ancestors can be 
traced back to Palestine, Turkestan and Eurasia. What an example 
of the way man can bring together, in one form, the good qualities 
of species that Mother Nature left in scattered portions of our globe! 
Picture a flower with a deep blue ground color, flushed and veined, 
in dark red, and radiating an electric iridescence. Beard most un- 
usual, brown, tipped bright blue. Tall, nicely branched stalks. 
Exceptionally hardy, adaptable. Was introduced at $25 each. Its 
seedlings often have that ‘Aril look.” 
MAGIC CARPET SPECIAL—2 each of 10 marked # $11.95 
ADVENTURER’S ECONOMY SPECIAL—2 each of 7 marked > $6.75 
To either Special you may add Daffy for $2.50; or Hoogsan for $3.50 
Attention. STAMP COLLECTORS 
I will send free on request with all orders of $15 or more (while 
supply lasts) a CALIFORNIA GOLD CENTENNIAL First Day Cover, 
bearing a Centennial Stamp, postmarked at COLOMA on the day of 
issue, Jan. 24, 1948. These are becoming more valuable each year. 


Remember, it is the UNUSUAL that attracts attention in your garden. 
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