IRIS BUYERS GUIDE FOR 1955 
SUPPLYING THE INFORMATION YOU NEED IN CHOOSING IRIS FOR YOUR GARDEN 
HELP FOR EVERYONE 
in bold blue headings for all types of Iris. 
GUIDE to Iris selection for year-round bloom, special situations and uses, page 38. 
HARDINESS summarized, so you can order with confidence, page 32. 
OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO IRISARIANS—1955 Introductions on pages 3 and 10; 
rare ARIL Iris pages 4 to 8; Irisarian’s Collection, page 37. 
FOR IRIS FANCIERS—New varieties listed for the first time: Big Time, Double Eagle, 
Fancyworks, Glowing Amber, Great Day, Marsala, Mohr Majesty, Pastella, Purissamohr, 
Ruffled Organdy, Summit, Surrender, White Peacock, Woodmont Plume. 
Fanciers Collection, page 37. 
HOME GARDENERS—Culture and uses for each type of Iris, before variety listings; 
Thrifty Rainbow Collection, page 37. 
AMATEUR HYBRIDIZERS and EXPERIMENTERS—How to hybridize, Hybridiz- 
er’s Kit, Germination Stimulant, Seeds, page 31. Manual and Supplement, page 32. 
QUICK AND EASY ORDERING 
FOR BEGINNERS AND BUSY GARDENERS 
While you have before you the world’s most comprehensive offerings in Iris for Year 
Round Bloom, you do not need to learn all about these to start enjoying modern Iris in 
Rainbow colors. It’s easy to get started now, by ordering some of the extra choice varieties 
that are so fine | illustrate them in full color. Another quick and easy way is to order some 
of the collections in different types of Iris, to lengthen your blooming season. And below 
is the easiest way of all! 
| © <= @| | © <a ©) 
See What You Get For a $5.00 Bill or a $10.00 Bill 
| find that many beginners unfamiliar with modern Bearded Iris do not have time to study 
out what to order, and prefer to leave the selection of varieties up to me. | give you 
over $8.00 worth for $5.00 when you do this. All labeled and postpaid. 
Just send $5.00 and ask for by number: 
— 8 Gorgeous bright and deep colors, all different.................. $5.00 
— 8 Lovely soft pastel colors, all different......................... $5.00 
— 8 Striking two-tones and blends, all different..................... $5.00 
— 8 Long-season, rainbow assortment, all different.................. $5.00 
Or, better yet, send $10.00 and ask for any two of the above groups. There will be no 
duplication of varieties — all will be different, and you'll be delighted. 
Any three groups for $13.95; all four for $17.95 
DID YOU GET TWO CATALOGS? 
We carefully check our extensive mailing lists, yet sometimes two or more catalogs do 
go to one person. If this happens to you, won’t you please drop me a postal, giving the 
exact addresses on the different copies, and indicating which is the right one, so we can 
correct our files. Please give the extra copy to a flower-loving friend. Thank you. 
Do You Want lly 1956 Catalog 7 
Everyone who orders from this catalog will automatically receive next year’s new revised 
edition without special request. If you are unable to order this year and desire to have next 
year’s catalog, please send 25c to partially cover the cost of lithographing and mailing. 
Should you desire to have copies of either this catalog or next year’s edition sent to some 
of your relatives or friends, please include 2c for each such request 
ne See cgaD, 
75¢ ML-32” 
splendent. 
CASA MORENA—Only 
$1.00 @ M-38” 
Huge, rich chestnut brown, glow- 
ing like an ember. Heavy bloom- 
er. Very fertile pollen; one of 
the best seed-setters. A delight 
for both hybridizers and Iris 
lovers. Stock scarce. Order NOW 
while still available. 
MAGIC CARPET—Only 
A favorite plicata. Vivid, re- 
Standards 
quaintly flecked rose and cin- 
namon, glistening. Falls gold 
cream, with rippling waves of 
deepest rose. You'll love it. 
Beginner’s 
SPECIALS 
on pages 36 and 37 
ORDER BLANKS 
Pages 33 and 35 
KEY TO DATA TO HELP YOU SELECT AND PLAN 
To help both Iris lovers and amateur hybridizers secure the information that they need 
about the varieties, | give all of the following data in my variety descriptions: originator, 
year of introduction, symbols to show my recommendations, season of bloom, height in 
inches, description, awards, parentage in square brackets whenever known to contain at 
least one named variety usable by others, price for one rhizome and for three. 
® — New Listing, offered for the first time this year. 
yx — My nominations for the most outstanding varieties and values. Some are exciting 
new creations; others are exceptionally fine standard varieties that | feel give you 
exceptional value considering their present low price. 
ye — One of the elite few to which | am this year giving my highest recommendation. 
mH — My very best values for hybridizers. 
| recommend particularly Iris recently honored by Awards of American Iris Society: 
Dykes—Dykes Memorial Medal. (Highest Dykes RU and AM-RU—Runners-up. 
Award, yearly to the one best Iris.) HM—Honorable Mention. 
Marked kkk, page 40. HC—High Commendation. 
AM—Award of Merit. (Next to Highest.) CC—Certificate of Commendation. 
SEASON ABBREVIATIONS from earliest to latest spring; EE, VE, E, EM, M, ML, L, and VL. To 
avoid the customary short Tall Bearded season, be sure to choose early, midseason and late 
varieties in each of the colors of greatest interest to you. Since the majority of varieties 
bloom at midseason, or nearly, you will need to give special thought to provide your garden 
with a good assortment of both the early bloomers and the late ones. 
COLOR PLATES—Life-like color pictures, all made from Ektachromes taken here at 
Rainbow Gardens, and used exclusively in this catalog. 
C R I 
To quickly direct you to exceptional opportunities to save, and to the year’s most out- 
standing varieties. 
(eae ] Sele CLUES on page 5, 10, 13, 16, 18 and 20; full explanation on 
page 39. 
Money-saving and CLOSE-OUTS. 
[>=] SPECIAL OFFERS for 1955. (Premiums, gifts, etc.) 
QE) «- BONANZA PAGE of Good Luck Bargains. 
[.___] TESTIMONIALS—Attesting to the wonderful results secured around the world 
with stock from Rainbow Gardens. 
My nomination for 1955’s two most outstanding varieties, PALOMINO, page 22, 
and ORIENTAL GLORY, page 25. 
RED-TYPE VARIETY NAMES with RED 3-PRICES. Choice feature varieties avail- 
able as ie in groups of 3 at very special LOW prices, many as low as 3 for LESS than 
price of 2. 
Brand new 1955 introductions. Pages 3, 6 and 10. 
MOVING? 
Don’t forget to notify me of your new address. But be sure to give the old address, too. 
Hundreds of catalogs are returned to me every year because people forget to notify me of 
the change in their address. 
tawny, 
