MARBLE IRIS GARDENS 
Grandview, Wash. 
IRIS PLANTING AND CULTURAL DIRECTION 
EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED 
Plicata—Stitched or stippled on white or yellow background. 
Blend—Two or more colors blended together. 
Bi-color—A two-color Iris. 
Self—Standards and falls are same color. 
Texture—Sheen or finish of petals. 
Substance—Thickness of petals. 
Standards—Are the upright petals. 
Falls—Are the lower or down falling petals. 
A.|.S.—Is American Iris Society. 
A.M.—Award. of Merit. 
H.M.—Honorable Mention by A.1.S. 
The average height in inches is expressed thus ‘’42 in.” E. is 
early, M. midseason, L. late. The haft of the flower is that portion 
of the petals where they join the stalk. 
Dykes Medal—The Dykes Medal is awarded to only one extra 
good new Iris each year by A.I.S. To win this high honor an 
Iris must first win an H.M., then if it is good enough it may win 
an A.M., but to win the coveted D.M. it must still rate higher in 
the opinion of the judges of the A.I.S. than any other Iris that has 
won the H.M. and A.M. When these most critical judges award 
the Dykes Medal to an Iris we may be sure that Iris\ is nearly per- 
fect. These super Iris may sell at from $10 to $25 or more each 
when first introduced. Many of our plants have won these awards, 
a few of which we have mentioned. 
SPECIAL BONUS 
OFFER 
My order amounts to $5.00 or more. 
Please send me free (You select any 
$1.00 Iris free) 
My order amounts to $10.00 or more. 
Please send me free (You select any 
$2.00 Iris free) 
My order amounts to over $15.00. 
Please send me free (You select any 
$1.00 and $2.00 Iris free) 
Please give first and second choice. 
TIME TO PLANT 
Iris rhizomes should be planted from July until late in the fall. 
We do not recommend that you piant in the extreme heat but if 
it is necessary to do so they should be kept moist and the soil loose. 
If your winters are cold we suggest an early planting to enable the 
feeder roots to become well established. 
HOW TO PLANT 
Plant your Iris as soon as received. If you are unable to plant 
immediately open your package and spread the roots in a cool 
place and keep them dry. In light soils plant the rhizome just un- 
der the surface of the ground in a hole large enough to allow the 
full spread of the roots. The top of the new Iris should be just 
above the level of the ground and in case of very light sandy soils 
you should plant slightly deeper. At the time of planting be sure 
your soil is damp and pack it firmly around the plant. 
WHERE TO PLANT 
Select a sunny well drained location where the soil is light and 
easy to work. Be sure there is no water standing around your new 
plant as this will cause rot. Iris hould haye a minimum of a half 
day of sunshine. 
PLANTING DISTANCE 
If you have plenty of room in your garden you may space your 
plants as far as two feet apart although a mass effect will be given 
if they are planted closer. In some cases they are planted as close 
as 10 inches but it is necessary to separate them oftener. 
HOW TO CULTIVATE 
As your new plant is planted very close to the top of the ground 
you should cultivate very shallowly in order not to disturb the 
feeder roots. Clean culitvation is essential as the rhizome likes 
sunlight. Therefore, keep all dead leaves and foreign matter away 
from the plant. 
HOW TO WATER 
It is very difficult to set a hard and fast rule that will govern 
the watering of Iris in all parts of the country. As soon as you have 
planted your new Iris it should be watered and kept damp until 
the root system is established. Iris does not require a great amount 
of water, but should be cultivated soon after watering to prevent 
the ground from caking. 
HOW TO FERTILIZE 
Fertilize with a non-acid forming fertilizer as Iris prefer a 
non-acid soil. Steamed bone meal or superphosphate may be used 
at the time of planting by mixing in a handful and working well 
into the soil. If you prefer you may do this in the spring. A com- 
plete fertilizer such as Vigoro may be used and we suggest that 
you dust this around your plants. We do not recommend the use 
of barnyard manure unless it is well rotted and thoroughly worked 
into the soil before planting time. Be sure that the manure does 
not come into direct contact with the rhizome. 
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS 
All Iris tend to make clumps and to avoid a root bound condi- 
tion they should be separated every three or four years. This 
should be done in mid-summer and as some varieties multiply very 
rapidly care should be taken in selecting those to be separated. 
IMPORTANT 
Do not be alarmed if some rhizomes in your shipment are larger 
than others as certain varieties tend to grow larger than others 
although the smaller plants are just as healthy. 
JOIN THE AMERICAN IRIS SOCIETY 
page 32 
