54 MAYFAIR NURSERIES, Box 87, Hillsdale, N. ub 
Iris flavissima, (Iris arenaria) A very rare and difficult little iris from northern Europe 
and Asia. It consists of little clumps of narrow, grass-like leaves about 3 or 4 inches 
high and 4 inch stems, each with 2 or three little yellow flowers in April and May. 
For best results the thick rhizomes should be planted in a 3 inch layer of sand, 
with its roots in a gravely loam that in neutral or slightly acid. (pH 5-7) The best 
way to plant is to scoop out the soil to a depth of 2 or three inches, then firm the 
roots into the under soil, being careful not to cover the thick rhizomes. When 
that is done, sift sharp sand over the plants until, the rhizomes are completely 
covered. It is a little trouble, but you will be rewarded with many years of lovely 
flowers. If you plant in any other soil the plants will die in a year or two. 
Iris gracilipes, For sheer beauty and profusion of flowers, this dainty iris takes the 
prize. Ruffled lavender-blue flowers veined deep lilac, held on 5 inch stems over 
dainty clumps of narrow, arching deep glossy green leaves. This Queen of the race 
comes from Japan and blooms in May and June. It is easy and permanent in a 
rich, light acid Joam with leafmold or humus in shade or partial shade. (pH 5-6) 
Iris gracilipes alba. The extremely rare and exquisitely beautiful pure white flowered 
form of this perfect rock garden iris. The demand will always be greater than the 
supply. Give it the same treatment as the preceeding, 
Iris gracilipes flore-pleno, An odd and interesting form of this dainty species, The deli- 
cate lavender-blue flowers are double with as many as 30 petals to a flower. It is 
hard to picture a double iris, but this one is quite double and very beautiful. It is 
easy to grow and permanent in a light acid leafmold soil in shade or partial shade. 
(pH 5-6) Quite often only a few of the flowers will be double the first year after 
planting. Once the plants become established they will produce an abundance of 
doubles. 
Iris lurida. Large clumps of stiff, upright leaves about 12 inches high and sturdy stems 
bearing smoky mahogany red flowers in June, Easy in full sun in any ordinary 
garden soil. (pH 6-8) A dwarf bearded iris of unknown origin that we consider 
more interesting than beautiful. } 
Iris mellita. (I, rubro-marginata) The smallest of the dwarf bearded irises. Tiny, red 
edged sickle shaped leaves about 3 inches long lying flat on the ground in dense 
little mats or tufts. Comparatively large dark reddish-purple flowers spring from 
the base of the leaves, about 2 inches high, in May and June and again in the fall. 
A very interesting and elfish looking plant from Asia Minor that likes a rich but 
well drained gritty acid or neutral loam in full sun. (pH 5-7) Extremely rare and 
very slow growing. It should be planted where it will not be in danger of being 
overrun. 
Iris minuta. Another extremely dainty Japanese iris that has long been loved by people 
fortunate enough to have it in their rock garden, The little yellow and brown flow- 
ers appear in April on very short stems scarcely above the ground. The pretty 
clumps of narrow, grass-like leaves about 5 inches high form after the flowers are 
gone. This is a free flowering strain that requires a neutral to lime soil rich in leaf- 
mold or humus in a moist shady place. (pH 6-8) It is so tiny it is apt to get lost 
if not watched, 
Iris prismatica. (Prismal or Cube-Seed Iris) A rather tall but very graceful and beauti- 
ful Eastern American native that is useful for the edges of pools and streams or 
for screening large rocks as a background for some of the smaller plants. It forms 
large clumps of long narrow leaves from 12 to 18 inches high with dainty violet- 
blue flowers on tall graceful wands about 18 inches high.-Its native habitat is wet - 
bogs or wet muck along streams but it does equally as well in a dry loam in full 
sun or light shade. (pH 4-6) It resembles the well known Siberian Iris. 
Iris pumila. (Crimean Iris) A fascinating group of very dwarf bearded irises that have 
long been favorites in rock gardening circles. They form large clumps of broad, 
light bluish-green leaves about 7 inches high and huge flowers scarcely above the 
ground, before the leaves are full grown in April, This variety formerly listed by 
us as Iris pumila cyanea has large deep violet flowers. As far as I can tell it is the 
same as all those listed as Altroviolacea, Violacea, Cyanea, Purpurea and Atropur- 
purea. This is probably the closest anyone can come to the true wild form. 
Iris pumila Bride. A pure white flowered form that blooms later than the type with the 
flowers on short stems to 4 inches high. This is prabably a garden hybrid. This 
and all the other varieties of Iris pumila are easy and permanent in any ordinary 
garden soil in full sun. (pH 6-8) 
Iris pumila Excelsa. A light clear yellow flowered form, more like the variety Bride 
than the true type. There are many other yellows with different names that are 
similar to this, 
