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“SF TALL BEARDED IRIS %& 
ARRANGED BY COLOR AND SEASON OF BLOOM 
To form a living Spectrum in rhythmic transition from color to color. 
USES: Tall Bearded Iris are adapted by height, size of flowers, and by the wide range of 
colors, for your main colorful display in late spring. My Supplement gives many detailed 
suggestions on utilizing these and other Iris. 
BLOOMING TIMES: The peak of Tall Bearded bloom is usually around April 1 in the 
South, May 1 on much of the Pacific Coast, and June 1 in most of the East. However, the 
earliest varieties come out 4 or 5 weeks before the latest ones; hence a careful selection 
of varieties will greatly lengthen your blooming season. 
ORIGIN and NATIVE HABITAT: The history of the evolution of our modern Tall Bearded 
Iris reads like a story of adventure. Their lineage may be traced back into the dawn of 
history, and to species native to various parts of Europe and Western China. No bearded 
species is native to America. From the high mountains of Yugoslavia came one of the 
important original species, the tall blue Pallida. Nearby, in Hungary, grows the hardy 
yellow and brown Variegata. Our earliest plantsmen did much hybridizing of these basic 
species, but had reached an impasse in both color and size when the English Irisarian, 
Sir Michael Foster, started using Cypriana and Mesopotamica, from Cyprus and Asia 
Minor, about the turn of the century. Since then evolution has been rapid. Prior to 1895 
all Bearded Iris had diploid chromosome numbers (see Manual page 25). In 1900 only 
three tetroploids were known. Today the transition to tetraploids is almost complete and 
nearly all of the varieties that | list in the pages to follow have approximately 48 
chromosomes, the tetraploid number. These modern Iris are characterized by much larger 
flowers, taller stems, brighter and more varied colors and more vigorous growth. Thus 
they are in great contrast to the Iris our grandmothers used to grow, yet which even today 
adorn many a garden where people are not awake to the recent and very rapid evolution 
that has taken place in Iris. 
CULTURE & HARDINESS: All Bearded Iris are of the easiest culture and will thrive in 
almost any garden bed. Select a well-drained spot that is at least partially sunny, and 
preferably in full sun. Well in advance of planting thoroughly mix in some well-rotted 
manure or complete commercial fertilizer. If soil is at all inclined to be soggy, plant on 
raised beds or ridges. Cover the rhizome (bulb-like portion) only about one-half inch, 
but set the slender roots deeply and well spread out. Water thoroughly. Keep moder- 
ately moist at least until new growth starts. Most varieties are hardy to winter cold. 
But in cold climates it is advisable to mulch well with straw at least the first winter to 
prevent frost heaving. If you want the largest flowers, the tallest stalks and the most 
abundant bloom from well-established clumps be sure NOT to disturb your new plant- 
ings for at least three years. But when the clumps become overcrowded dig them up and 
break apart, saving the best of the young new rhizomes for replanting. Many additional 
suggestions in my Manual. 
SHIPPING & PLANTING TIMES: July to October, or if necessary, somewhat later in mild 
climates, for all types of Bearded Iris. 
38 ADDITIONAL VARIETIES AVAILABLE SOON: Alline Rogers, Amber Gem, Ballet 
Dancer, Blood Cornelian, Blue Glow, Campanula, Ebony Queen, Fire Opal, Floradora, 
Fort Ticonderoga, Gallantry, Golden Symphony, Gold Sovereign, Green Shadows, Gulf 
Stream, Gypsy Rose, Heritage, Lady Louise, Lady Moon, Marion Vaughn, Masked Ball, 
Mattie Gates, Melody Lane, Mexican Magic, Miogem, Moontide, Night Spot, Paragon, 
Parisiana, Quechee, Rainbow Room, Rich Raiment, Rilla Gabbert, Rose Splendor, Sea 
Lark, Sky Ranger, Technicolor and Tip Top. 
ARRANGEMENT OF VARIETIES 
You will find my unique arrangement of varieties by color and season of 
bloom a great help (1) in comparing similar varieties and deciding which to 
buy, (2) in planning your garden for color harmonies and continuity of bloom. 
Also, many like to arrange their varieties in the garden in the same order in 
which | list them, so as to create a gorgeous Iris Rainbow. 
VARIETIES WINNING HIGHEST AWARDS 
A full list of the types of Awards is given on page 2. There are so many of 
these | feel that it will be helpful to you if | make very evident which varie- 
ties have won the highest Awards, and hence are most worthy of adding to 
your garden—that is, those that have received the Dykes Medal, the Award 
of Merit, or have been at the very top of the Symposium. My description of 
each of these super Iris starts with the name of the Award, in bold type. 
By carrying this back 5 years, | am able to bring to your special notice not 
only the newest creations that are now getting the attention of every Iris 
Fancier, but also the very finest of the slightly older kinds that are now 
down in the popular price ranges. | hope this innovation helps you to quickly 
locate, in the various color classes, these exceptional varieties that have 
received the highest honors of the American Iris Society. 
THE ORCHID-PINKS 
Pinks with an Orchid-Like Infusion of Lavender or Lilac. 
EARLY 
ROSE OF ENGLAND (Long) ** Bronze Medal, England $2.50; 3 for $5.00 
A large lightly ruffled pink with a faint infusion of lavender. Blooms very 
early, ahead of nearly all the other pinks, so is always a center of attrac- 
tion, particularly since it is such a profuse bloomer. VE—E—34”. 
MIDSEASON 
PINK BOUNTIFUL (Cook ‘49) * $8.00 
A new arrival of great promise since it is the pinkest of all the orchid pinks 
and has such perfectly formed flowers with broad petals of heavy substance. 
As its name indicates, it is very bountiful in the production of its gorgeous 
flowers. Tall and exceptionally hardy. A perfect beauty! M—39’. 
LYNN LANGFORD (D. Hall ’46) ** HM ‘46, Sym. ‘50 $3.50; 3 for $7.00 
Award of Merit ‘50. A luscious deep lilac--pink, made even more colorful by 
a vivid orange-yellow beard and a generous out-pouring of golden yellow 
from the center of the flower onto the hafts, like gold epaulets. A smooth, 
silky finish and heavy substance help in making this a flower of refinement 
that retains its trim appearance for a considerable period. One of the most 
beautiful of Iris. M—36”. 
DREAMCASTLE—Highest ranking pink in Symposium. See Novelties, page 32. 
CHANTILLY (D. Hall ‘45) ** HM ‘45, Sym.’50 See photo, page 18. $2.00 
Award of Merit ‘47. | choose this as the most distinctive and amazing of 
the various Iris that are ruffled and crinkled to various degrees. The petals 
have an edging of the heaviest ruffling and frilling of any Iris | have ever 
seen, and appear as if adorned with lace. The coloring is a luscious orchid- 
pink. Comes from the same line of breeding as Hall’s famous Flamingo pinks 
with tangerine-beards; very likely carries a recessive character for this type 
of beard. A wonderful parent; | look for some very novel, decorative off- 
spring. M—36”. 
MANYUSYA (J. Sass ‘44) ** $1.00; 3 for $2.50 
A descendant of famous No-we-ta, but larger and taller. A light pink sought 
for the clearness and purity of its coloring, and for its delightfully frilled 
and ruffled form. Delicately scented. M—34’. 
PINK CLOUD (Fay ’46) LATE $2.00; 3 for $4.00 
A very new, delightful soft orchid pink lightening in a beautiful way to 
white in the center of the flower, and set off by a glowing yellow beard. 
Well-branched stalks, good substance. From the handiwork of Orville Fay, a 
breeder who is just stepping into prominence with other outstanding crea- 
tions like New Snow and New Horizon. M to L—40”. 
“Rain, rain and sun! A rainbow in the sky!’ TENNYSON: Idylls of the King. 17 
