FAIRMOUNT 
GARDENS > 
‘Bearded Tris Introductions for 1955 
Colors Taken from Wilson Horticultural Chart 
DERWENTWATER (Randall 1955) M. Charm, personality 
and quality are united in this clear light Spectrum Blue 
(45/3). A cross of Helen McGregor and Cahokia, it has com- 
bined most of the best qualities of these two well known iris. 
Mr. Randall is very critical when selecting seedlings for fur- 
ther observation and this one has been highly praised in Eng- 
land. I quote the following from English Judges: ‘“Derwent- 
water has a perfect form and the color is about the purest 
pale blue that Judges in this country have ever seen, when a 
flower is held beside most other blue varieties it makes them 
look almost lavender by comparison.” I have grown and 
tested this iris in my own garden, and I agree with the Eng- 
lish comments. There are no striations, and the inconspicuous 
beard is practically white, thus adding to the purity of color. 
The large firm textured blooms with wide hafts and flaring 
form are carried on strong well branched stalks. This is the 
formal and first introduction of this iris in the U. S. Bronze 
Medal British Iris Society 1953 and selected for trial at 
Wisley. 38 in. $20.00 
SEATHWAITE (Randall 1955) M. L. Form, substance, color 
and branching are the special attributes of this clear blue iris. 
A sister seedling of Derwentwater, it is a large flowered 
ruffled light blue, rather darker and better branched than 
Helen McGregor. The color is not far from Cahokia, but it is 
later flowering, has much better branching and sturdy growth 
with no sign of tenderness that we sometimes find in Cahokia. 
The standards are closely held by the strong mid-ribs. The 
falls are wide and semi-flaring with a ruffled contour. Sea- 
thwaite flowers in great profusion and stands up in strong 
wind without any staking. This is the formal introduction 
in the U. S. It won the English Dykes Medal in 1952. 
38 in. $12.50 
TARN HOWS (Randall 1955) M. Rich gleaming Cedar Wood 
Brown that glows and glistens in the sunlight best describes 
this iris. The flowers are finely formed with broad highly 
domed standards and widely flaring falls. It has a firmness 
and smoothness of texture that is seldom found in a brown 
iris for so many of them have pronounced venations and 
often lack sun resistance. I have tested this iris in my garden 
and thoroughly agree with the comments from England. “A 
clump that was growing in the Randall garden was a most 
impressive sight and was described as an advance develop- 
ment near perfection.” Tall, well branched with many flowers 
it is a handsome and distinctive iris, and is most impressive 
on the show bench. Tarn Hows has been selected for trial 
at Wisley. Introduced exclusively by us in the United States. 
38 in. $20.00 
ELIZABETH NOBLE 53-20 (K. Smith 1955) M. L. This iris 
is my namesake for it has been given my maiden name. Some 
time ago Mr. Smith said if I were willing he would like to 
name an iris for me and suggested I choose my favorite. 
I selected this one because having seen it as a numbered seed- 
ling I was thrilled by its arresting color, personality and 
vigor. It is an Amoena in effect with the standards opening 
palest lavender, quickly changing to white. The flaring and 
slightly ruffled falls are pure true purple to the very edge 
and have a rich very velvety finish with no haft venations or 
any other hue. The feathered crests are brushed with purple 
and the white beard adds to the color contrast. These two 
characteristics are the final touches for color, balance and 
beauty. A distinct break in the Amoena class. _Parentage, 
Helen Collingwood x 9-62 (Extravaganza x Fort Ticonderoga) 
181, Gs, Na I Si UE BG shah. Net $25.00 
WHEEL OF FORTUNE 8.34 (K. Smith 1955) L. Certain iris 
are superior to others for garden effect and this is very true 
of this variety. Broadly formed flowers of brilliant clear 
Buttercup Yellow (5/1) with no venations or tinge of brown 
to mar their beauty. The whole flower is generously ruffled, 
in fact it is the most ruffled yellow that I know. The stand- 
ards are firm and well held and the falls flare widely. The 
buds are especially intriguing for they give a hint of the 
ruffles to come in an opened bloom. Mr. Smith has bred many 
yellow iris but none more fascinating than this floriferous 
yellow. Parentage, (Admiration x 5-39) (Yellow Glory x 
Siefried) x Spun Gold). 32 in. Net $15.00 
SPANISH MAIN (Wills 1955) M. Brilliant and colorful this 
large flowered blend instantly catches the eye of garden 
visitors. A big bold bloom with closely domed standards of 
copper (Majolica 09/1) flushed with golden brown (Burnt 
Orange 014). The falls are broad and semi-flaring of the same 
colors with a rich gold haft extending to the end of the full 
yellow beard. The flowers are lightly ruffled with firm texture 
and are carried on well branched stalks. The Color Chart is 
lacking in copper and brown tones so it is difficult to describe 
this iris, it must be seen to appreciate the glowing coales- 
cence of color. 38 in. $15.00 
LARGESSE (Wills 1955) M. Captivating and refreshing this 
very large lemon cream combines size with good form and 
substance to a striking degree. The flowers are Primrose 
Yellow (601/3) with very broad standards and widely flaring 
falls that are waved and ruffled at the edges. There are no 
haft venations around the deeper Primrose beard. Well 
branched with three branches and terminal and nine or more 
buds evenly spaced on sturdy stalks. A cross of (Fairy Lustre 
x Golden Eagle) x Amandine, this iris is a distinct addition 
to the color scheme of any iris garden. 39 in. $20.00 
CARNTON (Wills 1955) M. L. This flower is a blend with the 
color effect of a red, deeper colored than most blends, but 
bright for a red. This iris adds a brilliant note that stands 
out in a garden picture. The predominant color is Cardinal 
Red (822/1) well infused with copper and in the sunlight the 
flowers glow and glisten with a brilliant sheen. The firm 
standards are blended red and copper, and the flaring falls 
are red with a suffusion of reddish copper around the full 
orange beard. Late flowering with firm substanced flowers on 
widely branched sturdy stalks, it plays an important part in 
giving us much needed color that prolongs the blooming sea- 
son of the bearded iris. 39 in. $20.00 
IVORY WORK (Wills 1955) M. This iris is well named for it 
reminds one of the delicacy in detail that we find in a piece 
of beautiful carved ivory. The standards are cream, charm- 
ingly ruffled and firmly held. The arched falls are pale ivory 
with a narrow, but distinct border of the cream of the stand- 
ards, broadening a bit on each side of the pale yellow beard. 
A cross of Star Shine x Amadine, it has inherited firm sub- 
stance and great beauty of form from its parents. There has 
been great lack of light pure creams in our gardens, and 
Ivory Work supplies this need. Few can resist the appeal of 
the delectable color of this winsome iris. Firm substance, and 
excellent branching. 36 in. $15.00 
