Forenord 
GREETINGS FOR 1951 
Winter has departed, Spring is with us. It is time to 
turn to our gardens for they provide a haven from the strife 
and ambitions of this unsettled world. 
Gardening is a safe and sane hobby that soothes tired nerves. 
Not only is there a sense of calm and peace, but we have that 
good earthy feeling that comes from working in the soil. 
So join me in a hearty welcome to Spring and the garden. 
Again I call your attention to the fact that since our first 
catalogue was issued three iris that have been introduced 
by Fairmount Gardens have won the Dykes Medal, the high- 
est honor that can be given an iris. They are: Mary Geddes 
1936; Chivalry 1944; and Helen McGregor 1949. This shows 
the care and discrimination we use in choosing iris to be 
introduced by Fairmount Gardens. 
This year we are introducing several iris and hemerocallis 
from prominent hybridizers. These are distinctive both in 
color and garden value and have been tested in our garden. 
We consider these varieties very worthy of introduction. 
All the many friends of the late Dr. Robert J. Graves will 
be heartened to learn that last summer he spent a most happy 
iris season with his beloved flowers. The iris beds were full 
to overflowing with beautiful outstanding seedlings and his 
enthusiasm was in his old time spirit, yet as always he was 
very critical in his selection of those to save for further 
observation. However, there are so many fine seedlings 
that we will be able to continue the introduction of his 
iris for several years to come. This year two iris of Dr. 
Graves were chosen for introduction that are of excep- 
tional merit. Sarah Lee Shields, a magnificent white that 
was named for a little girl who is a direct descendant of 
General Robert E. Lee. -It received the award of Highly 
Commended in 1946. The other is named Kiki, a self of 
deeper blue than Helen McGregor, one of its parents, it has 
inherited many fine qualities of this famous iris as well as 
being taller and better branched. 
For Mrs. Lillian Hall Trichel of Shreveport, La. we have 
the pleasure of introducing in 1951 four of her hybrid Louisi- 
‘ana iris and two collected varieties. They are: Susie Kline, 
a large crested mauve; Haile Selassie II, a very rich maroon; 
Lillian Bouldin, brilliant tan and pink; Emma Sample, bright 
rosy pink; Pearl River White Virginica, a lovely pure white; 
Giant Yellow Abbeville Iris with creamy yellow blooms. These 
iris are thoroughly hardy in New England. Last year we 
introduced three of Mrs. Trichel’s iris and Caddo not only 
won Honorable Mention from the A.I.S. but was voted The 
Mary Swords Debaillon Award, the highest honor that can 
be given a Louisiana Beardless Iris. 
Our American Iris Society Vice-President Mr. Harold W. 
Knowlton of Auburndale, Mass. leads a busy life, and some- 
times I wonder how he finds time to hybridize, but he most 
certainly does as demonstrated by the two delightful iris we 
are introducing this year. The very ruffled flowers of Chi- 
quita are done in Amoena colors with almost white standards, 
and white bordered velvety purple falls. It was given the 
award of Highly Commended in 1949. Kezar Lake is a clear 
blue, the large flowers have an almost enameled finish and 
well merits the Highly Commended award in 1948. 
Mr. H. F. Hall of Moorestown, N. J. a noted hybridizer in 
horticultural fields has done extensive work in breeding many 
kinds of iris, and this year we are introducing for him a very 
fine and unusual Siberian iris named Royal Ensign. It is a 
rich lilac purple with a blue blaze in the center of the flower. 
From the hand of Mr. Geddes Douglas of Nashville, Ten- 
nessee, we are presenting four very handsome iris and one 
hemerocallis. Criterion is one of his famous Amoenas, that 
is not only beautiful but also a very fine parent; Pagan Gold, 
a large rich yellow with heavy substance and velvety finish, 
it was given the Highly Commended award in 1948; Pagan 
Sunset is a most colorful blend of rose, golden orange, and 
copper; Pagan Royal is a big broad flower of deep red-violet 
that always attracts the attention of garden visitors and 
won a Highly Commended award in 1948. His hemerocallis 
introduction for this year is Georgia Belle a luscious peach 
pink blend. 
This year I am introducing five of my own Bearded iris. 
I have watched these iris for several years and feel they are 
very worthy of introduction: Black Satin as the name implies 
is a very black smoothly finished flower that won the Highly 
Commended award in 1949; Magic Sails has a large rounded 
bloom of light flax blue that has been highly praised by gar- 
den visitors; Summer Song is a rich glowing orange buff of 
flaring form and great garden value and received the award 
of Highly Commended in 1950; Belvidere, named for our 
residential section of Lowell, is a self of brilliant copper, 
larger and richer than Bryce Canyon; Desert Dusk is late 
flowering and usually is not in bloom when the A.I.S. 
Judges visit the garden, but it is a very handsome blend of 
brown, tan, and purple. 
The Hemerocallis Introductions for 1951 follow the Iris 
Introductions. All of these have been selected with great 
care from hundreds of seedlings and tested for hardiness and 
garden value. I feel certain they will meet with your 
approval. 
The Hemerocallis Society has instituted a system of Awards 
in addition to the Official Popularity Poll of the first hun- 
dred. In the catalogue these awards are noted following the 
description of those receiving such awards. 
We have omitted detailed descriptions of many well known 
iris for our government has asked us to conserve paper. 
Many of our hemerocallis introductions are included in 
a set of Kodachrome slides available for rent from Dr. 
Philip G. Corliss, Somerton, Arizona. If you are interested 
write him direct for details. 
You are cordially invited to visit the garden at any time 
that suits your convenience. If you are unable to do so, and 
feel you need advice about varieties to choose, write me and 
I shall use the same care as if I were selecting for my own 
garden. 
Lowell is about 26 miles from Boston. Coming from 
Boston to Lowell on Route 38, at the Oakland Fire Station 
(near the outskirts of the city) turn off on to Fairmount 
Street and at the top of the hill you will find Fairmount 
Gardens. Anyone coming to Lowell on other routes should 
ask for Nesmith Street on which you will find Route 38, 
and then follow above directions. 
There are express trains from Boston to Lowell with 
taxi service from the station to FAIRMOUNT GARDENS. 
Our Exhibition Garden is located at 166 Fairmount 
Street, Lowell, Mass. and our telephone number is Lowell 
2-5121. 
