CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
Fertilize beds lightly each year. 
Water thoroughly once every 2 or 3 weeks from late spring to fall. 
Cultivate soil frequently. Prevent packing and baking of the soil 
surface. 
No-one should experience difficulty in growing the lovely Bearded 
garden iris. In fact they are so easy to grow that they are among the 
topmost popular of all flowering plants. But like all flowers they re- 
spond to proper care and treatment, giving more and better flowers 
for moderate attention. 
In our experience they prefer a non-acid soil. Lime need not be 
applied unless it is known that the soil is definitely on the acid side. 
In any event use lime sparingly, if at all. All fertilizers added to the 
soil should be non-acid forming such as Vigoro, Steamed bone meal or 
superphosphate. Some may be incorporated in the soil at the time of 
planting, particularly the bone meal—a handful to a plant well worked 
into the soil—or each spring as a general surface feeding cultivated 
into the soil. 
The soil should be thoroughly spaded to a depth of at least ten 
inches and if avalable at that time work in a generous amount of well- 
rotted barnyard manure or a smaller quantity of sheep guano, The 
latter is rich in nitrogen and may cause an excessive amount of weak 
growth or burning of the roots if it is not well mixed with the soil. 
Use an average amount of garden sense just as you would in pre- 
paring the garden for vegetables and your soil will be fine for Iris. 
They do best in a well drained, light garden soil. Give them either 
full sun or partial shade. That is, shade for not over half the day. In 
extremely heavy soils the clay may be lightened by the application of 
gypsum, sand, or humus material such as compost or peat as your 
budget permits. 
Planting the Rhizomes or Iris Roots. Prepare a hole large enough 
to take the spread of the roots. Remembering that the top of the 
thizome should be flush with the garden level or just slightly higher, 
scoop out enough soil to allow a cushion to support the rhizome. 
Spread the roots out to the side so they rest in a non-tangled, natural 
position. Then fill in the planting hole with soil and water the plants 
to settle the soil about the roots. Keeping the soil moist and well cul- 
tivated at all times makes for better growth of the plants. It encourages 
the production of fibrous roots with which the plants feed. 
The best planting time for iris generally is from June to September. 
In mild climates planting may be extended into the month of Novem- 
ber. Where the winters are cold, it is best to practice early planting 
for this allows the plants to become well rooted and established before 
going dormant. 
Winter protection is advisable in northern severe winters. After 
the ground has frozen, in winter, apply a covering of clean material 
—such as straw, pine boughs, salt or marsh hay or other material 
which will not pack down tight. It is very essential that ventilation 
be present at all times while the covering prevents freezing and thaw- 
ing of the soil. Leaves and manure should not be used as a mulch. 
They pack tightly and encourage rotting of the roots. The mulch should 
be removed in late spring after danger of frost has passed. 
Iris have few pests and it pays to keep a watch out for them. Iris 
Leaf Blotch is a fungus causing brown spots on the leaves in late 
spring and summer. These spotted leaves should be cut off carefully 
and burned. Particular care should be used in removing the diseased 
parts so that the spores of the blight are not spread to healthy leaves. 
Keep the garden clean and free of weeds and dead leaves. 
Iris borer has caused some trouble in some parts of the country. 
It works within the rhizome and may be suspected when a frond of 
iris leaves begins to wilt. Examine the rhizome for evdence of borings 
and if present either cut out with a knife or kill the borer by working a 
wire into his channel. It is best to take up the infected rhizome, remove 
the borer, cut back the leaves and replant. 
PLANTING YOUR NEW IRIS 
Mix in well a 
handful of 
bonemeal 
100 FAVORITE IRISES FOR 1951 
Official Symposium, selected by the American Iris Society 
1. Chivalry ‘44 DM 26. Extravagance ‘46 51. Three Cheers ‘45 76. Suzette ‘45 
2. Blue Rhythm ‘45 DM 27. Ranger ‘43 52. Cloud Castle ‘44 77. Indiana Night ‘42 
3. Helen McGregor ‘46 DM 28. Moonlight Madonna ‘43 53. Cordovan ‘46 78. Lynn Langford ‘46 
~4, Blue Shimmer ‘42 29. Rocket ‘45 54. Lake George ‘45 79. Pierre Menard ‘48 
5. Master Charles ‘43 30. Sylvia Murray ‘44 55. Arab Chief ‘44 89. Tea Rose '44 
6. Lady Mohr ‘44 31. Tobacco Road ‘42 56. Sharkskin ‘42 81. Jasmine ‘44 
7. Berkeley Gold ‘42 3%. Gypsy ‘44 57. Mary Vernon ‘42 82. The Copitol ‘44 
8. Snow Flurry ‘39 33. Easter Bonnet ‘44 58. Deep Violet ‘39 83. Snow Velvet ‘42 
9. Bryce Canyon ‘44 34. Chantilly ‘45 59. Captain Wells ‘41 84. Carousel ‘48 
10. Cascade Splendor ‘45 35. The Admiral '41 60. Priscilla ‘42 85. Gudrun ‘38 
11. Amandine ‘46 36. Black Forest ‘45 61. Grand Canyon ‘41 86. Misty Gold '43 
12. New Snow ‘46 37. Argus Pheasant ‘48 62. Katherine Fay ‘45 87. Esquire ‘46 
13. Solid Mahogany ‘44 38. Cloth of Gold ‘45 63. Red Torch ‘47 88. Melanie ‘41 
14. Elmohr ‘42 DM 39. Chamois ‘44 64. Golden Ruffles ‘45 89. Frank Adams '37 
15. Dreamcastle ‘43 40. Casa Morena ‘43 65. Minnie Colquit ‘41 90. White Wedgwood ‘43 
16. Lady Boscawen ‘46 4]. Lothario ‘42 66. Staten Island ‘48 91. Harriet Thoreau ‘44 
17. Distance ‘46 42. Spun Gold ‘40 DM 67. Rose Splendor ‘47 92. Daybreak ‘41 
18. Tiffanja ‘42 43. Golden Fleece ‘40 68. Majenica ‘41 93. Lilac Lane ‘47 
19. Cherie ‘47 44. Desert Song ‘46 69. Red Valor ‘39 94. Pretty Quadroon ‘48 
20. Pink Cameo ‘46 45. Spanish Peaks ‘47 70. And Thou ‘42 95. Mellowglow ‘42 
21. Azure Skies ‘43 46. Winter Carnival ‘41 71. Fantasy ‘47 96. Rainbow Room ‘46 
22. Garden Glory ‘43 47. Bandmaster ‘44 72, Pink Reflection ‘42 97. Golden Russet ‘46 
23. Goldbeater '44 48. Violet Symphony ‘40 73. Remembrance ‘42 98. Redward ‘42 
24. Blue Valley ‘47 49. Snow Carnival ‘42 74. Lord Dongan ‘40 99. Ming Yellow ‘38 
25. Mulberry Rose ‘41 50. Radiation ‘48 75. Mexico ‘43 100. Vatican Purple ‘43 
22 VE—Very Early. E—Early. EM—Early to Midseason. M—Midseason. ML—Midseason Late. L—Late. VL—Very Late. 
