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\ ARRANGED BY COLOR AND SEASON OF BLOOM “s 
To form a living Spectrum in rhythmic transition from color to color. 
USES: Tall Bearded Iris are adapted by height, size of flowers, and by the wide range of colors, for 
your main colorful displays in late spring. My Supplement gives many detailed suggestions on utilizing 
these and other Iris. 
BLOOMING TIMES: The peak of Tall Bearded bloom is usually around April 1 in the South, May 1 on 
much of the Pacific Coast, and June 1 in most of the East. However, the earliest varieties come out 4 to 5 
weeks before the latest ones; hence a careful selection of varieties will greatly lengthen your blooming 
season. 
ORIGIN and NATIVE HABITAT: The history of the evolution of our modern Tall Bearded Iris reads 
like a story of adventure. Their lineage may be traced back into the dawn of history, and to species 
native to various parts of Europe and Western China. No bearded species is native to America. From 
the high mountains of Yugoslavia came one of the important original species, the tall blue Pallida. 
Nearby, in Hungary, grows the hardy yellow and brown Variegata. Our earliest plantsmen did hybridiz- 
ing of these basic species, but had reached an impasse in both color and size when the English Irisarian, 
Sir Michael Foster, started using Cypriana and Mesopotamica, from Cyprus and Asia Minor,. about the 
turn of the century. Since then evolution has been rapid. Prior to 1895 all Bearded Iris had diploid 
chromosome numbers (see Manual page 25). In 1900 only three tetraploids were known. Today the 
transition to tetraploids is almost complete and nearly all of the varieties that | list in the pages to follow 
have approximately 48 chromosomes, the tetraploid number. These modern Uris are characterized by 
much large flowers, taller stems, brighter and more varied colors and more vigorous growth. Thus they 
are in great contrast to the Iris our grandmothers used to grow, yet which even today adorn many a 
garden where people are not awake to the recent and very rapid evolution that has taken place in Iris. 
CULTURE & HARDINESS: All Bearded Iris are of the easiest culture and will thrive in almost any 
garden bed. Select a well-drained spot that is at least partially sunny, and preferably in full sun. Well in 
advance of planting thoroughly mix in some well-rotted manure or complete commercial fertilizer. If 
soil is at all inclined to be soggy, plant on raised beds or ridges. Space the rhizomes 12” to 15” apart. 
Cover the rhizome (bulb-like portion) only about one-half inch, but set the slender roots deeply and well 
spread out. Water thoroughly. Keep moderately moist at least until new growth starts. Best kept moder- 
ately moist all summer, but where summers are dry and water is scarce, all Bearded Iris may be left 
dry all summer. Most varieties are hardy to winter cold. But in cold climates it is advisable to mulch 
well with straw at least the first winter to prevent frost heaving. If you want the largest flowers, the 
tallest stalks and the most abundant bloom from well-established clumps be sure NOT to disturb your 
new plantings for at least three years. But when the clumps become overcrowded dig them up in the 
summer and break apart, saving the best of the young new rhizomes for replanting. Many additional 
suggestions in my Manual. 
SHIPPING & PLANTING TIMES: July to October for all types of Bearded Iris. 
41 ADDITIONAL VARIETIES AVAILABLE SOON: Arabi Pascha, Black Belle, Black Diamond, Black 
Mischief, Blue Angel Wings, Blue Drapes, Broadripple, Bronze Symphony, Chiquita, Defiance, Double 
Eagle, Ebony Echo, Fancy Feather, Frontier Days, Glowing Amber, Helen McKenzie, June Bride, Lindora, 
Marsala, Mary Randall, Mexican Fiesta, Mint Julep, Norah, Regis Royal, Royal Sovereign, Ruffled Organdy 
Russet Wings, Sarah Goodloe, Sarah Lester, Searchlight, So Sweet, Spotlight, Summit, Sylvan Song, 
Tally-Ho, Tranquility, Veiled in Mystery, Windsor, Woodmont Plume, Yellow Organdy. 
ARRANGEMENT OF VARIETIES 
You will find my unique arrangement of varieties by color and season of bloom a great 
help (1) in comparing similar varieties and deciding which to buy, (2) in planning your 
garden for color harmonies and continuity of bloom. Also, many like to arrange their 
varieties in the garden in the same order in which | list them, so as to create a gorgeous 
Iris Rainbow. If you would really know Iris varieties and make your garden a mecca for 
Iris lovers, you should have at least one variety in each of the 30 color classes that | 
present below. 
THE ORCHID-PINKS 
Pinks with an Orchid-Like Infusion of Lavender or Lilac 
EARLY 
ROSE OF ENGLAND (Long) Bronze medal, England $1.50; 3 for $3.95 
A large ruffled pink with faint infusion of lilac. Blooms very early, ahead of other pinks, 
so is always a center of attraction, since it is such a profuse bloomer. VE-E-34”. 
MIDSEASON 
PATHFINDER (Whiting '48) %% Honorable Mention '48 $6.00; 3 for $16.50 
A wonderful new pink from Mirabelle x Angelus. Mrs. Whiting states that it has been the 
most talked of seedling in her garden, and was nicknamed “‘fat pink’’ because the blooms 
are so large and round with very wide petals and wide hafts. While the color contains a 
little lavender, there are more true pink tones in this than in most of the others. The 
petals have a surprising glistening sheen to them and are of extremely heavy substance. 
Very prolific of bloom and increase. M. 
PARAGON (Stevens '48) 
$3.50; 3 for $6.95 
A serene and lovely flower imported from New Zealand; produced by the originator of 
Inspiration, which is its seedparent. A pearly opalescent orchid pink which is bound to 
capture your attention and admiration. Falls light bronze pink with edging of light bronze. 
Exquisite planted with light blues or deep violets. M-38”. 
PINK BOUNTIFUL (Cook '49) % Honorable Mention '51 $3.00; 3 for $8.25 
A new arrival of great promise. Pinkest of all orchid pinks and has perfectly formed 
flowers with broad petals of heavy substance. Very bountiful in the production of its 
gorgeous flowers. Tall and exceptionally hardy. A perfect beauty! M-39”. 
LYNN LANGFORD (Hall ’46) HM ’46, AM ’50, Symposium ’53 $2.00; 3 for $3.95 
A luscious deep lilac-pink, made even more colorful by a vivid orange-yellow beard and 
a generous out-pouring of golden yellow from the center of the flower onto the hafts, like 
gold epaulets. Smooth, silky finish, heavy substance. Beautiful. M-36”. 
DREAMCASTLE (Cook 43) AM’48, Symposium ’53 $1.50; 3 for $3.95 
A Runner-up for 51 Dykes. Dreamcastle has the novel distinction of being the pure 
Bearded Iris that comes about the closest of any to that much-sought rounded form usually 
associated with the new Oncobreds, with full, astoundingly broad falls. This, coupled with 
the fact that it is the most delectable orchid pink to date, places it in a class by itself. A 
quality Iris with a wonderfully smooth coloring, highlighted by an unusual white beard. 
Order this and you'll be building dreamcastles. M-38”. 
SHARON KAY (DeForest 46) x $1.25 
An extraordinary Iris of great size and delectable soft coloring, most unusual in the oval 
shape of the great flowers and in their bright orchid-pink shade. Style arms are white, 
tinted lilac; beard is white tipped orange inside the throat. Magnificent as a clump. M-34”. 
THE PINK PLICATAS 
New Color Patterns for Your Garden 
MIDSEASON 
DAWN REFLECTION (Stevens ’48) $5.00 
Probably the largest plicata in existence and hence always a center of attraction. !mmense 
blooms attractively flared and waved having a ground color of glistening Ivory sparingly 
and precisely edged rose-pink on the falls and more generously suffused bright lilac-pink 
in the standards. One of Mrs. Stevens’ most outstanding originations. M-40’. 
CONFETTI (Schreiner '49) Honorable Mention ’50 $3.00; 3 for $8.25 
One of the very finest of the various pink plicatas, which to me are the loveliest of all 
plicatas. Confetti is the very first tall, well branched pink plicata with large flowers and 
heavy substance. Merrily and heavily stippled and marked with pink on a creamy white 
ground. A bright attractive flower that immediately catches one’s eye. Splendid carriage 
and a wonderful fresh appearance. Try it. EM-38”. 
LOVE LACE (Mitchell '48) % Honorable Mention '48 $3.00 
Mr. Kennedy says “‘Even if you don’t like plicatas, you will like this. Good size, form and 
substance; and for color harmony and sheer loveliness of pattern it will be hard to beat.” 
A ruffled plicata of exquisite form. Standards buff, softly stippled pink. Falls warm white 
completely edged with pink stipples. 36”. 
: “Hung on the shower that fronts the Golden West, The rainbow bursts like magic on mine eyes! In hues of ancient promise there imprest; 
Frail in its date, eternal in its guise.’ —C. T. TURNER: The Rainbow. 
