TELL’S IRIS GARDENS Phone: FRanklin 3-1845 
Greetings 1955 Provo, Utah 
Dear friends, 
Once, when asked by the beloved late Hazel D. Moyle (garden editor for one of the Salt Lake 
City newspapers) if I might write something for her pertaining to iris, I confided that I could 
not write, at which the retort came: “Who writes your iris catalog?” Informing her that “Uncle 
Tell” did, she said, “Well, get him to help you.” Of course, Tell and Uncle Tell being one and 
the same there was really very little help available, and I feel as helpless when the task of compil- 
ing the catalog comes around each season. : 
“Uncle Tell” lives such an interesting and full life with fingers in so many different pies, 
that there is never a dull moment what with the raising of fancy poultry, a few pairs of fantail 
pigeons, Roller Canaries (had since I was 10 years old) , dabbling in drama, and a little family 
of four for Marie and me to look after—and believe me there is always something to be done for 
them—if not untangling a kite string or putting on the doll’s shoes it is something “more serious.” 
The arrival of our daughter Jan Elizabeth, on January the 18th of this year, brought us 
great joy, yet by the time “Uncle Tell” (and daddy) got the two boys dressed, fed and off to 
school and little Vickie Marie dressed, fed and over to grandma’s and two visits to the hospital 
daily—with lunch and dinner to prepare, the livestock fed, éetc., I was “fit to be tied,” as the saying 
goes, and was relieved when mother was once again home and things were back to “normal.” But 
with such a grand little thing as Jan in the house all I could do, actually, was inspect her every 
ten minutes, so I have accomplished very little since the above date. I am, therefore, going to 
pass up a lengthy “hybridizing” section for the catalog and any fanciers who desire this informa- 
tion may still obtain the 1952 issue of my catalog for 10c to cover handling and mailing as I still 
have a supply of these on hand. A few of the 1954 issue may be had as well for those who wish 
to have it for their files. The experienced as well as the amateur will, I am sure, find the pedigree 
listing of help and use, so I continue to list these, when known. 
Twyla Olmstead has graciously, and generously, given permission to let me use her drawings 
in this catalog and I am sure iris lovers will get many a chuckle from her keen sense of humor. 
These drawing are done on the “spur of the moment” and are usually found on the back of each 
envelope or at the bottom of the page of one of her letters. I gather that the postal carriers and 
her host of friends think something amiss when one of the little cartoons is not present. We know 
you will enjoy these with us, and if you do we hope to add a few more next year. Mrs. Olmstead 
did some similar drawings for Winston Roberts’ (famed for many wonderful gladiolus including 
Columbia and Boise Belle) gladiolus catalog as well, for he wanted to share these pixie-like 
creations with his friends and customers. We appreciate Twyla for making our days a little 
brighter! 
What a list of new things we have to offer this year! 
Some, as I have indicated, are introduced primarily for breeding purposes, yet each is distinct 
in its own right. Naturally, they are not all Dykes Medal potentials, but we are sure they will 
be enjoyed by fanciers for some years to come. We are very happy to have two more iris from 
Mr. Schortman, and one from his neighbor and friend, Mr. Gibson, and a truly lovely iris his 
Nomohr is, and rather surprising to me since it comes from Elmohr pollen, a pollen I have never 
found fertile. Yet Mr. Gibson gave me a clue to possible success in using ‘““Mohr’’ pollen when he 
said he applied it while still moist. A difference in soil, climate, or even trace elements in the 
soil, may play a part in the fertility of some of these that are not often found fertile. Mrs. 
Cavagnaro’s Anytime (Alba Superba x Lady Mohr), which I hope to introduce next year, is 
another proof of the use of pollen found not too fertile. This would indicate that one should not 
give up at a few failures for compatible parents may be found, or it may be pollen will be good 
one day and not another. Capitola is erratic in its production of pollen—sometimes having little if 
any, or pollen which seems to be “caked” on the stamens. I have found Capitola yields more 
pollen if the plants do not have “wet feet” at blooming time. 
There seems to be a growing interest in Table Iris and last year we were charmed with the 
unusual Winken and Blinken of Mrs. Haggenjos from Oklahoma, so we are introducing it for her. 
Ed Watkins’ Corsage found us by its side time and time again for its unusual novelty, as did Mrs. 
Noyd’s Golden Flash—both of which have unlimited possibilities in breeding. Stanley Clarke’s 
Rio Arriba reminded us of Char-Maize, but a different shaped flower, a different colored beard 
and a little onco-blood thrown in. We find it most unusual. From the “breeder of GREENS” we 
are offering Mr. Murray’s two advances in this class. John Ohl has been a lover of the Mohr family 
for a long time and at last has produced one he feels worthy of introduction and when I saw it 
last spring I was anxious to offer it to the iris loving world, for it is one that will bring him fame. 
Margaret Albright’s two lovelies, Gracille and ‘Lasses Taffy, are good iris in their own right, but 
hold unlimited possibilities for breeding, Gracelle has the greatest vigor of any plant I have ever 
seen and should produce a marvelous array of wonderful descendants in the hands of discriminat- 
ing hybridizers for it will throw unusual colors in blends, pinks, cream, orchids and pinks, surely, 
and should give that wonderful ruffling or crinkled-edge that so many of our modern iris have. 
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