THE IRISES ON THE COVER 
are some of our selected Higo seedlings. The flower at the top left is one 
of the “BUTTERFLY SERIES”. The remaining blooms are from our 
“RIGOLETTO SERIES” including both marbled and veined types. 
Columbus, Ohio 
The JAPANESE IRIS were very fine healthy plants, and survived the long 
hot trip almost across the continent very well. Seeing the fine healthy plants 
which you have 1 assure you that you will be receiving the orders to fill my 
future needs. H. J. Zaayer 
34 
JAPANESE 
When well grown these are the most spectacular of all 
and are often referred to as the queen of all irises. The 
plants we send our customers are vigorous clumps with 
heavy root systems—the finest plants obtainable any- 
where at any price. We are confident a trial order will 
substantiate this claim. 
We believe the English translation following the Japa- 
nese name will appeal to fanciers of this group. If you 
too have difficulty pronouncing the lengthy Japanese 
names you may prefer the English equivalents, some of 
which are delightfully descriptive and euphonious. In 
spite of some opposition to the use of Japanese names 
we adhere to the policy that all plants should be sold 
under their original names. In this way only can the 
customer be certain he is paying for something new 
and not a duplication of the same plant already in his 
garden under some other name. Unfortunately the 
nomenclature of Japanese iris is somewhat muddled and 
for this reason we are withholding some of them from 
our catalogue until their names are correcily estab- 
lished. We have spent much time and effort authenti- 
cating all varieties we grow and believe those we list 
are true to name. 
CULTURE: Like most azaleas and rhododendrons these 
iris will not tolerate lime in any form. For best results 
heavily enriched soil and abundant moisture are neces- 
sary. After blooming they require no more moisture 
than other perennials. An ideal location is along the 
banks of a stream or pond. They are successfully grown 
in most parts of the country and do especially well in 
the Atlantic and Pacific states and the southern borders 
of the Great Lakes. Plant so that the crowns are about 
2 inches below the ground surface. Do not expect typical 
flowers until the second year as they take more time to 
become established than bearded iris. In dry climates 
we cannot stress too strongly the importance of constant 
moisture during their growing season. In fact, if your 
waler supply is unlimited select a location where you 
can flood the plants often and you will be rewarded 
with larger flowers. Any well rotted manure is the best 
fertilizer. If your soil is alkaline, the addition of alumi- 
num sulphate, peat moss or oak leaf mold will produce 
the correct soil condition. If the leaves turn yellow, lime 
very likely 1s present and LIME is FATAL to these iris. 
Best planted in full sun except in warm sections of the 
country where afternoon shade will prove beneficial. 
SHIPMENT: August 1 to December 1. 
OTOMENE 
WALTER MARX GARDENS @ BORING, OREGON 
(IRIS 
