CARISSIMA 
PHOTO BY CORLISS 
CARISSIMA (Nesmith 1955) M. Captivating and endearing 
this very ruffled and frilled flower of pure white is notable 
for its clarity of color and styling of the blooms. The stand- 
ards are firmly domed and the semi-flaring falls are so heavi- 
ly ruffled that the flowers have the swirling grace of drifting 
snow. Parentage Lady Boscawen x 45-52A (Sierra Snow x 
43-62D) x (Chicory Blue x Azure Skies). A wonderful iris 
for hybridizing as it sets seeds readily and carries the ex- 
treme ruffling to its progeny. Pictured in January Flower 
Grower under ‘New Plants for 1955.” 38 in. $15.00 
CLOUDLESS SKY (Watkins-Graves 1955) M. The name is 
most descriptive of this light Cerulean Blue (46/3) that has 
great purity of color and is void of any lavender infusion. It 
is a sister seedling of The Citadel and has the full rounded 
flaring form, but is more ruffled and displays the same su- 
perior character that is found in so many of their iris. Firm 
textured flowers on sturdy well branched stalks. It attracts 
the attention of all garden visitors and seems likely to be a 
close rival to The Citadel in popularity. Pollen fertile and sets 
seeds readily. 39 in. $20.00 
MAJOR EFF (Watkins-Watkins 1955) M. Much darker in 
color than other blues from the master hand of Edward Wat- 
kins. It is a medium violet blue self and Bluebird Blue (042) 
is the nearest tone in the Color Chart. The standards are well 
FAIRMOUNT GARDENS 
closed and upright, the falls broad and semi-flaring with neat 
ruffling at the rim and the almost white beard is in sharp 
but pleasing contrast to the dark rich color of the bloom. 
Firm substanced, with three branches and terminal, it seems 
without competition in this class. Parentage (Shining Waters 
x Gloriole) x Great Lakes x Cloud Castle. Pollen fertile and 
it sets seeds easily, H. C., A. I. S. 1953. 39 in. $20.00 
JAN HESS (Watkins-Graves 1955) M. Blue iris in varying 
shades are always welcome for they are needed to lighten up 
the color pattern of any garden. This one seems practically 
without competition in its special class. A broadly formed 
medium blue bitone that has a deeper coloring than Helen 
McGregor, Jane Phillips and Kiki. The broad well held stand- 
ards are Sea Blue (043/83) and the flaring falls are darker 
but in the same general color tone. Firm substanced blooms 
well spaced on widely branching stalks. Highly praised by 
many iris Judges that have been waiting for its introduction. 
Pollen fertile and sets seed pods well. 39 in. $20.00 
ANNE WICKERSHAM (Wickersham 1955) M. Fresh toned 
as a lavender-pink orchid, this self colored flower has a cool, 
crisp iridescence that is most attractive. The nearest hue in 
the Color Chart is Carmine Rose (621/3) but the blooms have 
a translucent flush around the pink beard that adds warmth 
and glow to the whole flower. The many firm textured lightly 
ruffled blooms have great charm and refinement and are 
evenly spaced on tall well branched stalks. A distinctive pink 
that was named for Mrs. Wickersham, and it is a most be- 
fitting tribute to this delightful lady. 39 in. $15.00 
MAGIC MELODY Y-101 (H. F. Hall 1955) L. Uniformity of 
color and symmetry of form provide a note of great distinc- 
tion to this very pale cream flower. It is a Barium Yellow self 
(503/1) of large size and rounded form with ruffled standards 
and flaring falls that are very broad with a slightly deeper 
border at the edge and around the full yellow beard. Late 
flowering, blooming at the same time as Illustrious and Ex- 
travaganza, its cool crisp texture and harmonious color play 
an important role in prolonging the bearded iris season. 
39 in: $15.00 
CASCO (Tobie 1955) E. Petite and charming this border iris 
is a cross of Amigo x Wabash. The white standards are full 
and closed, the flaring velvety falls have a white 1/8 inch 
border surrounding them. Full cream yellow beard. The myr- 
iad of beautifully formed flowers are well spaced on strong 
wiry stalks. It is particularly adapted to flower arrangement 
or front of the border planting. 28 in. $5.00 
SUB-DEB 49-11P (Nesmith 1955) E.M. Alluring in its 
beauty and reminding one of a pretty Sub-Deb dressed for 
her first presentation. A firm textured flower of light Camel- 
lia Rose (622/3) giving the effect of a sparkling rosy mauve, 
set off by the full harmonious pink beard. A self with broad 
ruffled standards and flaring falls that are lightly fluted at 
the tips. The frosty opalescent sheen of this sparkling iris 
gives a rare and subtle color that is entirely different from 
any that I know. Well branched and very free flowering. 
Parentage 47-6A (Dream Girl x 1-46 (Wash) x Radiation. 
H. C., A. I. S. 1954 under number 49-11P. 36 in. $15.00 
IRIDESCENCE (Nesmith 1955) M. Luminous flowers that 
glow and glisten in the sunlight. It is a self of Spinel Pink 
(0625/2) with roundly domed standards and strong midribs. 
The falls are broad and semi-flaring with a full pinky tang- 
erine beard. The whole flower has very firm substance and is 
smoothly finished with almost no self venations. It is taller 
and much better branched than Radiation, one of its parents. 
Parentage 47-11A (45-8B x Pink Cameo) x Radiation. Fertile 
and sets seeds. 37 in. $15.00 
