Iris ODDITIES and RARITIES 
Iris from the Uttermost Parts of the Earth for YOUR Iris Wonderland 
How true that "Distance lends enchantment.'' Is there anyone who does not secretly wish he might start today ona 
leisurely trip around the world? If you are an Iris lover, | know what you would be looking for. But just in case your 
journey is delayed, | 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. | 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. They 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. 
Novel CRESTED Iris — Evansia 
BLOOMING TIMES: Feb. to May for first 2; Paltec somewhat everblooming. 
CULTURE & HARDINESS (In brief): Prefer rather moist, slightly acid soil, and light to moderate shade, with ground 
cover of rotted oak leaves. First 2 hardy in most of California and Oregon, but in colder climates best grown during 
winter in pots, greenhouses or conservatories. Paltec hardy in East. 
SHIPPING & PLANTING TIMES: Summer and fall. 
FRINGED IRIS (Iris Japonica) * Photo at right. & 75c 
Our first flight by magic carpet is across the Pacific to the mountains of 
Japan and the rolling hills near Ichang in Central China. There dwells the 
daintiest and most fairy-like of all Iris—a fitting inhabitant of those coun- 
tries that we have for centuries associated with charm and grace. This 
Fringed Iris is exquisitely and delicately tinted in soft lilac over white, with 
striking orange crest and fringed petals. Flowers in airy sprays above broad, 
glossy, evergreen foliage. VE—24”. 
NADA (Iris Japonica x |. Wattii) ** HM ‘39 $1.00 
This best known of crested Iris hybrids was derived from two of the Orient’s 
loveliest Iris—Japonica and Wattii, both of which remind one of frilly 
orchids. The hybrid, NADA (pronounced Ney-da) is a remarkable achieve- 
ment, as it has 3 foot branched and re-branched stems carrying over 200 
fringed flowers as delightful as those of Japonica. Fine for cutting and 
flower arrangements. VE—36”. 
PALTEC (Evansia-Bearded Hybrid) co) 50c; 3 for $1.25 
A hybrid resulting from crossing Pallida x Tectorum; so from Tyrol in 
Austria, the home of Pallida, we bound half-way round the world to Yun- 
nan, 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”. 
Rare BULBOUS and TUBEROUS Iris 
CULTURE & HARDINESS (In brief): Store in Vermiculite, or better in dry sand in cool place 
until Oct. Use bonemeal and lime in soil. Prepare sunny raised beds or ridges for drain- 
age. Cover 2" to 3'' deep. In cold areas mulch with 2"' to 3'' of straw over winter. Many 
kinds fully hardy. Leave in ground over summer if bed is kept dry. If not, dig after 
foliage dies down and store as above. Also often grown in well-drained pots. 
SHIPPING & PLANTING TIMES: Shipped Sept. to Nov.; plant in Oct. if possible. 
SNAKE’S HEAD IRIS *** Photo below. # 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? EE—8”. (Hermodactylus tuberosa.) 
CUSTOMER’S DELIGHT: ‘‘The Snake’s Head Iris are in bloom and 
what a vision. They are just beautiful and I am so thrilled with them that 
I wish to order 24 for this year. Wore the iris yesterday at work and 
created quite a sensation.”’ D.R.D., Menlo Park, Calif. 
HOOGSAN (Samuelson ’47) ** 
FRINGED IRIS 
Japonica 
»—_ 
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 profusion from November to January. | have tried for 
years to obtain a supply of this for your winter blooms, and now, at last, | 
can offer it. Comes in various shades of blue and has novel corn-like leaves, 
as does Bokhara. Also unusual because of the conspicuous 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 tur- 
quoise from the mines. A dozen will scent a room with the fragrance of 
violets. A dazzling red violet. On the falls is a golden area surrounded by 
black, giving a ‘‘tigerskin’’ appearance. Of easiest culture. Prized for edg- 
ings, 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”. 
Quaint REGELIA-BEARDED Hybrids 
The most complete assemblage offered in any catalog. 
BLOOMING TIMES: Very early to early spring. 
CULTURE & HARDINESS: Same as for Onco-Bearded Hybrids, page 8. 
SHIPPING & PLANTING TIMES: Summer and fall. 
BEN AHDEM (Morris ‘50) * $3.00 
This and the next are Sir Cedric Morris’ first releases of a new and distinct 
strain created in England and now offered for the first time in America. 
The seed-parent, Hoogiana, is from Turkestan and the pollen-parent, Ben- 
ton Diane, is an English origination. Ben Ahdem has very pretty flowers 
resembling its Regelia parent, Hoogiana, but are a deep lilac-blue. Easy to 
grow. Flowers and increases with great freedom. E—28”. 
BENJAMIN (Morris ‘50) * $3.00 
From distant and mystic Bokhara came the Regelia species Stolonifera, the 
seed-parent of this new hybrid. As the pollen-parent, Sir Cedric used the 
yellow dwarf species Chamaeiris, native to France and Italy. The result is 
a charming dwarf Iris with the typical elongated flowers of Stolonifera, in 
pale lime-green, attractively mottled in purple. E—-10”. 
$1.50; 3 for $3.75 
The seed-parent, Hoogiana, is from Turkestan, and the pollen-parent, San Francisco, 
was Dykes Medal winner in America in 1920. Both flowers and foliage strongly sug- 
gestive of Hoogiana, but on a much larger scale. A smooth delphinium blue. Leaf 
bases striking mulberry red—very beautiful. E-36”. 
SPOTLESS (H. P. Sass 39) © 35c; 3 for 70c 
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”. 
BELLORIO (Wm. Mohr ‘24) * 40c; 3 for 80c 
The above four are from the Regelias Hoogiana and Stolonifera, but this and the 
next are from Korolkowi, found wild in Turkestan. Here the pollen-parent was Ger- 
manica, which comes to us from Europe. Produced by the man for whom the famous 
William Mohr was named. Very novel flowers in mauve grey, with bronzy beard. Try 
this for arrangements. 
CARMELO (Mohr ‘24) * 40c; 3 for $1.00 
Another William Mohr creation with parentage almost identical to that of Bellorio. 
Unique, long narrow Regelia-like flowers in an unusual shade of blue. 
SNAKE’S HEAD IRIS—Black and Green 
RARE BULBOUS COLLECTION—6 each of the 3 marked # for 
Ideal for garden, or for pots in apartment, cottage or mansion. 
COLLECTION OF FRINGED IRIS and STRANGE HYBRIDS 
1 each of the 6 marked © for only 
MAGIC CARPET COLLECTION—Both of above collections 
Remember, it is the UNUSUAL that attracts attention in your garden. - 13 
