RARITIES 
pAaly, 
s Wonderland 
How true that “' Distance lends enchantment.” Is there anyone who does not secretly wish he might start today on a 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 bloom- 
ing when flowers are scarce, or their strange appearance. In short, they are UNUSUAL. Nearly every year there will be new kinds for you. 
—FOR WINTER BOUQUETS 
CHRISTMAS IRIS (IRIS FOETIDISSIMA) 2 for $1.55; 5 for $2.95 
For this Cosmopolitan species of Europe, Asia and Africa, we can stop on our first flight by magic carpet anywhere 
from England to Afghanistan. The only Iris with ornamental seed pods that burst open exposing the brilliant scarlet 
seeds, for all the world like red holly berries. Splendid dark green, evergreen foliage. Iris fans could wish for 
nothing finer or more decorative for the Christmas dining table. Flowers inconspicuous. The best of all Iris for 
shady spots; yet it thrives in sun. Fully hardy. 24”. 
BLACKBERRY-LILY or LEOPARD FLOWER—(BELAMCANDA CHINENSIS) 2 for $1.45; 5 for $2.75 
Next we head east to China and Japan for this strange summer bloomer. A member of the Iris family which is fine 
for a companion planting with the Vesper Iris. Flowers, bright orange, crimson spotted, followed by glossy “black- 
berry” seed-clusters, admirably fitted for winter bouquets. 28”. 
Dependable IRIS 
VESPER IRIS (DICHOTOMA) 
3 for $1.75 
Now we chart our course north a little to Eastern Siberia and Mongolia for the home of this graceful Iris. There, in 
late afternoon, at vesper time, tall branching sprays of these flowers unfold their prettily 
marked lilac petals. This and the Leopard Flower stand alone as the only Iris that bloom 
regularly and abundantly in the heat of the summer, from July to September. Probably 
produces more flowers per stem than any other Iris. Fascinates youngsters from seven 
to seventy for it is a plant with visible motion—something usually attributed only to mem- 
bers of the animal kingdom. Believe it or not, at the vesper hour the flowers usually 
“pop open all at once, nothing first, just like a bubble when it bursts.” You will have 
unbelieving onlookers congregating at about 3 P.M. to see this natural phenomenon with 
their own eyes. Mulch in very cold regions. 26”. 
SEEDS of Vesper Iris. Easy and quick to grow from seed, often blooms the first summer. 
Enough to grow one hundred or more plants for only 75¢; 3 packets for $1.50. 
LEOPARD FLOWER or BLACKBERRY-LILY — Also blooms in mid-summer. See above. 
Curious —(Culture page 22) 
KALEIDOSCOPE (Katkamier 49) One for Ripley. $1.00 
Yes, a believe-it-or-not Iris in a realistic kaleidoscope pattern. Conceive, if you can, falls 
in ivory white, boldly and erratically marked with extremely variable veins and blotches 
of dark maroon, all the sharp defined edges contrasting strikingly with the ground color. 
Standards, light yellow. A strange freak of nature like this is genetically known as a 
chimera. This variety is a delicate and graceful Table Iris on a slender stem, and it will 
make the most striking bouquets imaginable. EM-25”. 
THURLOW WEED (Weed '43) «x A super Oddity. Exceedingly scarce. $4.00 
The oddest and strangest Iris in my entire garden. Instead of the usual 3 standards and 
3 falls, which characterize practically all Iris, this has 6 nearly identical petals that are 
strongly curved and arched in open cup-like fashion. The form of the flower is more like 
a pitcher plant or flycatcher than an Iris. The 3 petals corresponding to falls sometimes 
have slight vestiges of beards down inside, but all 6 petals are quite beardless from 
external appearance. So this is, essentially, a “Bearded” Iris without a beard—and with- 
out petals that act as falls. There are no stamens, but stigmas are normal, so crossing 
would seem possible. A creamy white, heavily flushed and veined in yellow. EM-38”. 
(DeForest ’47) Strangely variable! 25; 
While generally classed as a plicata or fancy, it is a strange one indeed! For here the 
creamy-white ground of the falls is peppered and boldly marbled and zebra-striped in 
maroon-violet in an infinitely variable manner. Also valuable to hybridizers, as this striking 
color-pattern often appears in its seedlings. M-38”. 
SNAKE’S HEAD IRIS—Fascinating— 
FRINGED IRIS—Japonica— 
Novel —(Evansia) 
BLOOMING TIMES: February to May. 
CULTURE and HARDINESS (In brief): Prefer rather moist, slightly acid soil, and light to moderate 
shade, with ground cover of rotted oak leaves. Hardy in most of California and Oregon, but in colder 
climates best grown during winter in pots, greenhouses or conservatories. 
SHIPPING and PLANTING TIMES: Summer and fall. 
FRINGED IRIS (Iris Japonica) *#+% $1.00 
Our next flight by magic carpet is across the Pacific to the mountains of Japan and rolling 
hills near Ichang in Central China. There dwells the daintiest and most fairy-like of all 
Iris—a fitting inhabitant of those countries for centuries associated with charm and grace. 
Flowers in airy sprays above broad glossy, evergreen foliage. VE-24”. 
NADA (Iris Japonica x 1. Wattii) ++ HM’49 $1.25 
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 achievement, 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) 75¢; 3 for $2.10 
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 Yunnan, 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 IRIS 
CULTURE and 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 drainage. 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 and PLANTING TIMES: Shipped Sept. to Nov.; plant in Oct. if possible. 
SNAKE’S HEAD IRIS x 
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 bou- 
quets; hence grown by florists for their most exclusive corsages. Why not grow your own? Plant 
nearly vertically with the large end down. 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. 
"Tl ordered Snake’s Head Iris from you and they were very pretty and so different in color.” 
Mrs. E. S., Bakersfield, Calzf. 
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 turquoise 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 surrounde 
by black, giving a “‘tigerskin’” appearance. Of easiest culture. Prized for edgings, 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”. 
BULBOUS COLLECTION —9 Snake’s Head plus 9 Fragrant Iris for $2.50 
CURIOUS ODDITIES -— Kaleidoscope, Thurlow Weed, Daffy, for $4.95 
STRANGE IRIS—Christmas & Vesper Iris & Blackberry-lily $2.25 
MAGIC CARPET COLLECTION -—The above 3 collections for only $8.95 
The extra order blank is for that friend who loves Iris—or, you may need it later. 21 
