FAIRMOUNT GARDENS 3 
Bearded Iris Introductions for 1953 
Colors Taken from Wilson Horticultural Chart 
SIKHMOHR (Weidner 1953) M. An outstanding’ Onco-hybrid 
with large flowers of rich rose-red of exceptionally heavy 
substance, and with a new depth of red tones for this kind of 
iris. A cross of Wiliam Mohr X (Dauntless X Sikh), and in 
the parentage of Sikh we find Dominion blood, this combined 
with Dauntless no doubt accounts for the red color of this 
fine and unusual iris. The foliage and rhizomes resemble that 
of Wm. Mohr, but with sturdy flowering stalks that are three 
way branched, thus displaying the blooms to good advantage. 
A very stunning iris. 36 in. Stock limited. $25.00 
EASTERMOHR (Weidner 1953) M. Blue irises are my favor- 
ites, and for several years I have been looking for an Onco- 
hybrid that was really blue, and in Eastermohr I have found 
it. It comes from a cross of William Mohr X Easter Morn, 
and it has inherited the color and excellent branching from 
the pollen parent. The flowers are large and ruffled, of clear 
medium blue with firmly cupped standards, and full semi- 
flaring falls. Tall, sturdy three way branching stalks, vigor- 
ous foliage, and strong rhizomes. The blooms are most pleas- 
ing in form, and it is the bluest Onco-hybrid that I have seen. 
A great addition to this class of iris. 40 in. Stock mgeoe ty 
25.00 
BUTTONHOLE (Knowlton 1953) M. Petite and sprightly, 
this charming iris is a recessive plicata, coming from (Se- 
duction X Tiffany) X Bonanza. A very clear medium yellow 
with a small white blaze on the falls. On one of the last 
visits to the Knowlton garden of Dr. and Mrs. Tobie, they had 
been admiring this iris, and said it should be named, so Mr. 
Knowlton said “what shall I name it”, and quick as a flash 
the Docton replied “Buttonhole”. A most pleasing name for 
this firm substanced iris that offers delightful possibilities 
for flower arrangement as well as border planting. H. C., 
Me Ue Sb WOR, 2) sea. $5.00 
GAY SPRING (Knowlton 1953) M. Most attractive in color 
and form, this clear golden yellow seems to fill the need for 
a firm substanced yellow with great clarity of tone that can 
withstand the elements. A ruffled eye catching flower with 
well domed standards, and wide flaring falls. There is a lus- 
trous, almost velvety sheen throughout the bloom, and the 
deeper orange beard adds to the brilliant color. Described by 
a very prominent A. I. S. judge as “a heavily substanced, 
ruffled, flaring deep yellow of great intensity and fine style. 
It looks as if it might be the better, tougher Ola Kala so 
many breeders are looking for.” An excellent description of 
a very worthy iris. H. C., A. I. S. 1951. 38 in. Stock Limited. 
$15.00 
DEVOIR (Wills 1953) M. This decorative iris is a medium 
rose-pink with a slight coppery infusion throughout the 
flower. The standards are closed and firmly held, the falls are 
semi-flaring with a touch of soft brown around the yellow 
beard. A most attractive pink self with firm textured flowers 
nicely spaced on well branched stalks. Vigorous growth. 
36 in. $10.00 
BLUE SERENE (Wills 1953) M. The cross of Blue Rhythm 
and St. Regis has produced a charming iris that is more blue 
than Blue Rhythm, but in a lighter tone. An iris that is well 
described by the name for it is a clear light blue with great 
nicety of finish, and performs well each year. A semi-flaring 
flower of lightly ruffled form that is hardy and a good 
bloomer both in the North and South, it was especially ad- 
mired by the St. Louis visitors at the time of their National 
Meeting. H. C., A. I. S. 1952. 365 in. $15.00 
SILVER FLAME (Wills 1953) M. This delightful iris comes 
from a long line of breeding for yellow bicolors or yellow 
Amovwnas with Happy Days, Shannopin, At Dawning, Golden 
Eagl:: and others in its parentage. The contrast between the 
pure white standards and yellow falls is very definite and 
ornainental, and it is a great advancement in this color class. 
Tall and well branched, it has great garden value, and from 
a hybridizers standpoint it is most valuable for it is fertile 
both ways. 39 in. $10.00 
SOFT ANSWER (Wills 1953) M. Mr. Wills is very conserva- 
tive in selecting iris to name, and it was from over twenty 
selected Amoena seedlings that Soft Answer and Silver Flame 
were chosen as being well worthy of introduction. Soft An- 
swer has a more flaring flower with standards of warm white, 
and the broad falls are deeper yellow and more smoothly fin- 
ished than those of Pinnacle. The pollen is fertile. A winsome 
iris of quiet elegance with smooth firm textured flowers car- 
ried on tall well branched stalks. 39 in. $15.00 
It is difficult to choose between these two iris, so they have 
been priced separately, or if one wishes the two for $20.00 
LEGIONNAIRE (Watkins-Graves 1953) M. An iris bred by 
Mr. Edward Watkins during his many years of association 
with the late Dr. Graves. An exquisite flower of palest blue 
with a deeper blue flush toward the center and hafts of the 
bloom. The crisp ruffling of the standards and falls gives an 
airy grace that is most delightful, and an added charm is the 
superb branching and long season of bloom. H. C., A. I. S., 
1952. 44 in. $20.00 
PATRICIAN (H. F. Hall 1953) M. There does not seem to be 
words to adequately portray the beauty of this iris. It is a 
pure white of flaring form with a decidedly broad overlay of 
Barium Yellow on the upper part of the falls each side of the 
full yellow beard. The standards are highly and firmly domed 
with smoothly finished texture. The falls are very flaring, 
and are ornamented by the golden escutcheon toward the cen- 
ter of the bloom. Highly praised by A. I. S. judges, it has 
been described by one of them as “a rival of Truly Yours.” 
Very heavy substanced flowers with good branching, and 
hardy vigorous growth, H. C., Ay I. S; 19525 36 in. Stock 
Limited. $20.00 
CORONATION RED (H. F. Hall 1953) M. L. Richly colored 
as the robes that will be worn at the Coronation, this iris 
was one of the “high spots” in our garden last year. A bitone 
of glowing Oxblood Red with large flowers of very heavy 
substance. The standards are very broad, and have a slightly 
lighter tone than the falls. The wide flaring falls have a lus- 
trous velvety finish, and are void of haft markings that are 
so often found in red iris. Rich orange beard. The color does 
not fade and the substance remains firm throughout the day, 
thus making it the most brilliant red iris that I have seen. 
Vigorous growth with wide branching. H. C., A. I. S. 1952. 
39 in. $20.00 
RADIANT RED (H. F. Hall 1953) M. L. Rich and smooth 
without veining, this boldy flaring flower, according to the 
color chart is Indian Lake, but the general effect is a glow- 
ing bright mahogany bitone with the standards slightly 
lighter in hue than the very velvety falls. Rich orange beard. 
The non-fading red color, abundance of bloom, and great gar- 
den value cannot be stressed too strongly in this strong, 
sturdy well branched iris. 39 in. $15.00 
