THE CALIFORNIAN SECTION- Californian Iris

Coloured forms of Iris innominata, 
Courtesy of the book, 'The Iris and its Culture' Jean Stevens.

Some Lesser Known Irises

  PART IV

THE CALIFORNIAN SECTION

By Miss J. Burgess, Waikanae.

THE NEW ZEALAND SMALLHOLDER, June 17th, 1935.

Many factors have mitigated against the garden distribution and consequent popularity of the Californian irises, but none more so than the confusion hitherto existing among collectors and botanists themselves. The close affinity between the various species of decision is so strong that cross-fertilisation is almost a certainty when two or more species grow together. This taken in conjunction with the fact that there are endless numbers of local and colour forms of the species, makes confusion almost inevitable. Another difficulty has been that the plants make rather sparse root growth, and that that growth is active in a short period in the year. This means that successful transplantation of fully grown plants can only be carried out during that season of growth. As the old roots are not sufficient to feed the plant, where no root growth takes place after transplantation, the plant will stave and die.This period of growth occurs between July and December in New Zealand, and as flowering season itself lies within this time, the season for transplanting is further limited.
All the members of the section seed and germinate freely, and seedlings will flower in the spring, following germination. From the gardener's point of view this is eminently satisfactory, and he is no longer troubled that the mature plant is so difficult a subject to transplant. But to the collector of species this is merely an alleviation. The difficulty is that pure seed, true to name, is so hard to obtain, and seed imported of tenax, or Douglasiana, is likely to turn out mere hybrids of those species.

Provide Lime-free Soil
Cultivation in a lime-free soil is not a difficult matter. All the Californians thrive in a light loamy soil under ordinary garden conditions. The addition of leaf mould or garden compost and sand is, however, a material help. Moisture is needed during the spring and early summer, when growth is active, but a thorough ripening in the late summer and early autumn does no harm to the plants, and they bloom all the more freely the following spring. Most of the species are extremely free flowering, and in the case of some, notably tenax, the plants may be so smothered with bloom that the foliage is entirely obscured. All are eminently desirable rock garden subjects, and in the rock garden the dainty charm has an ideal foil. They will not tolerate the presence in the soil of lime.

Two Main Groups
The Californians are divided into two main groups, the longipetala group, which occurs mainly along the Californian coast, and the Californian section proper, of which tenax is, perhaps, the best known. This latter group of species is distributed throughout the whole of North-western America, though they occur most freely and California and Oregon.
 Longipetala is the tallest of the section, throwing up flower stems two feet or more in height. Although there is only one inflorescence to each stem, it bears four to five flowers, which opened in succession. The large falls are conspicuously veined with deep purple on a white ground, while the standards are an even tone of pale purple or lavender.The deep green foliage is somewhat stiff, and is almost as tall as the flower stems. There is an alpine form of dwarfer growth called Missouriensis. Another species, Montana, sometimes catalogued as Tolmeiana, differs from longipetala and Missouriensis, chiefly in it's narrower standards, and in the colour of the falls, which have less veining, and bears a distinct yellow patch on the blade of the falls.
The Californian section proper contains a large number of authentic species, but it is here that it has been so difficult to decide where a form deserves, specific rank. All the species of the section have conspicuous red coloured bases to their leaf growth. Tenax from Oregon is so named because of the strength of the leaves, from the fibers of which the Indians used to weave a twine or cord of considerable strength. It grows to about a foot in height, and bears flowers in endless variations of colour from palest pearly lavender through mauve to a deep claret colour. In my own experience it has proved to be the easiest of all the Californians to transplant, and it is certainly the most free-flowering.
   
Some Good Varieties
Hartwegii has perhaps doubtful claims to specific rank, differing as it does from tenax only in colour and its dwarfer habit. It is pale creamy yellow with straw coloured veining.
Hartwegii as a native of the foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, occurring at altitudes varying from 1500 feet to 7000 feet, and red volcanic debris. It is very difficult to transplant, and has not the same vigour as tenax. Somewhat similar in colouring, but stronger in growth and constitution, are Purdyi, from the Redwood regions of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, and Bracteata from Oregon. Purdyi which is only from 4 to 6 inches in height, has pale straw yellow flowers, conspicuously veined with dark purple, and Bracteata the same height as Purdyi, has deeper yellow flowers, also conspicuously veined, and differs chiefly from Purdyi in having longer, broader, but sparser foliage. There are, however, several botanical differences.
 Douglasiana it is perhaps as well known as tenax, and as easily grown. It differs from all the other species of the section, and, indeed, from almost all other Irises, by the fact that it does not lie down during the winter, but retains its very dark green, extremely tough leaves all the year.Douglasiana it is very variable, both in colour and style of growth. The endless variety of colourful is truly amazing; from every shade of lavender toned yellow and apricot to deepest purple, with every possible variation of veining. The height of the flower stems varies from 9 to 18 inches. Douglasiana appears to be confined to the coastal regions of California. Macrosiphon is another variable species, but much dwarfer in habit, and not so robust. It is a native of California and Oregon. Although the stem is seldom more than 3 inches in height, the flowers are furnished with a very long perianth tube ( as the name macrosiphon, suggests), the flowers themselves being about a foot in height. There is every conceivable colour variation from sky blue to yellow and white. The colour of the foliage also varies from glaucous green to Emerald. As previously mentioned, intercrossing between the different species of this group is extremely easy, and gives endless variations in colour, height, and form but of added interest, is the fact that several Californians, among them tenax and Douglasiana, can be successfully crossed with the Chinese and Himalayan Sibiricas. Among these hybrids has been raised a beautiful flower of a crushed Strawberry colour with gold veining on the falls. This hybrid was obtained from chrysographes crossed with Douglasiana. This early result promises that continued work among these lines will be well worthwhile.

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter.  

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

As always clicking on the above image will take you to the larger, higher resolution version.
Credit and copyright Iris Hunter. - See more at: http://historiciris.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/the-laevigata-section.html#sthash.gZbKF19o.dpuf

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THE LAEVIGATA SECTION - Iris Laevigata

 Some Lesser Known Irises

  PART IV

THE LAEVIGATA SECTION

By Miss J. Burgess, Waikanae.

THE NEW ZEALAND SMALLHOLDER, May 16th, 1935.

The laevigata section of irises embraces the well known Japanese or Kaempferi hybrids. These hybrids have all been obtained from the single species Kaempferi, one of the four true species which comprise the group. Although essentially water lovers, the laevigatas, in common with all other irises, and with the sole exception of pseudacorus, dislike a badly drained soil.
Much confusion has existed between laevigata and Kaempferi, since they were first known to the European botanists a century ago. This is due to the fact that both species come from the same districts. They are found in swampy places near Lake Baikal, and along the banks of the River Amur. Thence, they occur eastwards through Manchuria, Northern China, to Korea and Japan. I wish to make it clear that where I write of Kaempferi, the reference is to the species Kaempferi, the source from which the Japanese have obtained their marvellous, but, I fear, rather monstrous, hybrids. By what means they have succeeded in modifying the wild type, and obtaining those huge double freak flowers, is a mystery. From the fact that they have obtained a double form of laevigata as well, we are forced to conclude that it was not merely a natural chance freak which gave them their first break, but a carefully guarded horticultural secret. And no part of the world, and in no section of the genus, has nature evolved for herself this form of freak flower. The double laevigata and the double Kaempferi of the Japanese are the only double irises in existence. In passing, it is interesting to note that the Japanese have done the same by the chrysanthemum and the cherry. But nature receipts the interference of these Oriental hybridists, and if their double hybrids are allowed to naturalise and seed, in a few generations the seedlings will throw back to the type of the wild species. Though first discovered to the Occident in 1837, the true laevigata is still uncommon in English gardens, and it is almost unknown here. This is no doubt due to the fact that until fairly recently it was taken to be synonymous with Kaempferi. Laevigata is chiefly distinguished from Kaempferi by the characteristic, which earned for it the name laevigata, which means "smoothed". The tall, sword shaped leaves are quite smooth, differing therein from Kaempferi, which carries down each leaf a distinct ribbing, or ridged veining. The colour of laevigata is a deep, rich blue, of a shade not seen in any other Iris. The standards are upright, and the falls tongue like, long and drooping. 

There is a garden form of the type under the name L. albopurpurea, having, as the name suggests, white and blue flowers. The standards and style arms are white, and the falls are white heavily mottled with blue. Strangely enough, this quasi-albino characteristic acts as a Mendellian recessive, and albopurpurea breeds quite true to colour. In recent years there has been on the market and Iris, which is called laevigata 'Rose Queen'. This is apparently a hybrid between laevigata and Kaempferi , as although the shape of the flower is like laevigata, the leaves posses the ridged veining of Kaempferi. The colour of Rose Queen is an even tone of Peach Blossom or rose pink. It is easily grown, and very effective when massed.
The cultivation of laevigata is quite simple. Like all the group, it dislikes lime, but can be grown successfully in any good garden soil, provided that it is not allowed to dry out during the summer months.

Kaempferi, as mentioned, comes from the same districts of Northern and Eastern Asia as does laevigata. It was first noted by a Western botanists as a species in 1858, but has been in cultivation in Japanese gardens for centuries. The shape of the flowers is somewhat similar to laevigata, but the standards are not so tall, and the falls are perhaps a little broader. The colour is a rich, deep purple, relieved on the half of the fall by a narrow stripe of Golden yellow. There is also a white form. Cultivation is the same as for laevigata, but the Japanese hybrids require more attention. These latter should be given plenty of manure, preferably well rotted garden compost or animal manure, which is best applied during winter when growth is inactive.

Pseudacorus, the English 'Water Flag' is botanically classed in the laevigata section. This act is surprising to the casual observer, but careful examination of the plants will discover many liberties with the species laevigata and Kaempferi. Pseudacorus, is too well known to come within the scope of  this series of articles, but, I might mention in passing, that it is well worth the attention of any Gardener with plenty of "background"  space, and it will grow anywhere, though it does best in a rich, moist soil. Its natural habitat is over the whole of Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. The flowers are bright yellow, varying considerably in colour, size, and height, as would be expected where distribution is over so wide an area.

There is an American representative of the section in versicolor (syn. Virginica). This is the American "Water Flag," and although quite different from Pseudacorus, it has much in common with that species. Versicolor grows wild from Hudson Bay in the North to the Gulf of Mexico in the South. The usual colour is a pale blue purple, though there is a natural red-purple form called kermesina. Both are very desirable waterside subjects, and at easy to grow. Culture is the same as for other members of the section - a damp, lime free soil, rich in humus.
Botanical affinities between the four species of the laevigata section suggests that inter-crossing should not be a difficult matter, but with the possible exception of Rose Queen, no hybrid is known. In inter-crossing it is necessary to de-antherise the seed bearer as soon as the flower opens, as the flowers of all the members of the section are so constructed that self fertilisation is naturally effected.

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CRESTED IRISES OF EVANSIA SECTION

Some Lesser Known Irises 

  PART III

CRESTED IRISES OF EVANSIA SECTION

By Miss J. Burgess, Waikanae.

THE NEW ZEALAND SMALLHOLDER, April 16th, 1935.

 Although one or two of the crested irises are known to the New Zealand gardener, there are several species of this interesting section which are rarely if ever seen in this country. It is generally believed that the Iris genus is divided into two divisions, the bearded and the beardless irises. However, there is a group intermediate between these two divisions, a group that is distinguished by possessing a crest in place of a beard on the fall. All the members of this group are rhizomatous rooted, though the different species vary greatly in the shape and size of the flowers and the height to which the plant grows.

The name Evansia was given to the section in 1812, in honour of a Mr Thomas Evans, of the India House, who had introduced Japonica into England a year or two previously. Japonica, which has two synonyms, fimbriata and chinensis, is the best known member of the crested section. It is a native of China and Japan. In England, Japonica can only be grown and flowered successfully in a greenhouse, but in many parts of New Zealand it has proved almost hardy. It will stand quite a heavy frost as far as the foliage is concerned, but I frost of six or more degrees may catch the flower spike before it emerges from the foliage, so that in most districts some slight protection is advisable towards the end of winter when the buds are forming. A lover of lime and a sunny aspect, this species is by no means difficult of culture. The flowers are a delicate and delightful shade of lavender blue, lightened by a light freckling of gold at the throat. They are borne on gracefully branched stems about two feet in height. Each stem carries a large number of buds, which give a succession of bloom over several weeks. There is an entirely hardy form called Ledger's variety which has slightly larger flowers of nearly the same shade of lavender blue. Both Japonica and this hardy form flower in the early spring.

From the Himalayas comes Millesii, named after Mr Frank Miles, who introduced it into cultivation about 1880. It is a distinctly handsome Iris, and the tallest of this section. Perfectly hardy and easily grown, it requires like Japonica, lime and a sunny position. The flowers, which appear at the end of October, are borne on 3ft. well branched stems, which continue to develop flower after flower over a period of eight or ten weeks, a surprising long period for a single species. The flowers themselves are about 3 inches across, and are a delicate lilac, spotted on the fall with a deeper shade of the same colour. The foliage which is extremely ornamental, is a clear light green which shows up as a distinct contrast among most other plants.

Better known, perhaps, is tectorum, from China and Japan. The Chinese grow this Iris on the roofs of their houses, whence the name tectorum and the popular name of "roof garden Iris". It was introduced in 1874 by Mr William Bull. The flowers which are flattened, as in Iris Kaempferi, are from 3 to 5 inches across, and are borne on 12 inch stems, each of which carries from two to three flowers. The colour is a deep lavender blue, with a conspicuous white crest on the fall.
There is also a really charming white form of tectorum whose purity is enhanced by a soft yellow signal patch. This white form sets seed readily and comes to colour. Both the blue and white tectorum are perfectly hardy, and the culture is the same as for japonica and milesii.
A dainty little Iris of less easy culture is gracilipes, from Northern Japan, where it grows on wooded slopes with a cool aspect, and in loose vegetable soil, in much the same conditions in which primroses thrive. This and speculatrix, about which later little is yet known, are the only grassy leaved species of the section. They are delicately fringed flowers of gracilipes, which are borne on 6 inch stems, are a pale lilac pink, lightly touched with orange on the fall.

There are two American representatives of the Evansia section, cristata and its Canadian form, lacustris. These are dainty little miniatures, cristata being 4 inches, and lacustris two inches in height. The flowers are lilac, and in cristata about one and a half inches across, in lacustris one inch. Culture for both is the same as for gracilipes. Cristata, comes from the Southern States of North America.

(Update Notes;  The only evasia that has no crest I.tenuis was transferred into the genus Evansia, Lenz, 1959, originally classed as a Pacific coast iris, its closely related to cristata and lacustris and also needs to be included in this American group. Also I. speculatrix has been removed from the evansia section. TJ.)

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The Modern Bearded Irises

     THE NEW ZEALAND SMALLHOLDER,  February, 1934.

The Modern Bearded Irises

HARDY PLANTS FOR HOT DRY BORDERS, By R. E. Harrison.

It is more pleasing to note that in more recent years this class of hardy iris is becoming increasingly popular. This is no doubt due to the wonderful improvements that have been achieved in the size of the bloom, and new shades, and also in the increased bloom season that has been secured. The marvellous new colourings that now exist, and the the richness and the texture of the modern irises is indeed a revelation to those who are acquainted only with the older varieties.

Are Bearded Iris Hardy ? 

Contrary to general opinion, bearded irises are extremely hardy, and can be grown anywhere in the Dominion. I have meet many people who thought it was impossible to grow these plants in Otago, and others that who have advised me that they will not flower in Auckland district, although they make good growth. By personal investigations I have found that lack of bloom has invariably proved to be due to faulty cultivation. I have seen magnificent displays of these irises in both districts, as well in all parts of the Dominion. I find that numbers of people who live in very cold districts do not attempt to grow many fine plants and shrubs as they feel convinced that their climate would be to severe for the subjects considered. Undoubtedly, many find that plants will not stand severe frosts, and it is often the case of "Once bitten, twice shy," but I would like to draw the attention of such people to an excellent guide as to the hardiness of any plant being considered. Obviously the many nursery catalogues issued throughout the Dominion are hardly a guide in all cases; there are many plants that are quite hardy in certain districts with, say, only 10° of frost, but utterly impossible to grow in very cold districts, and all growers do not know the limits that any plant will stand. The best plan is to secure copies of catalogues from reliable English nurseryman, say, one of shrubs and one of perennials and rock plants. Unless mentioned as tender, it is apparent that any plants offered in those catalogues as hardy are certainly hardy anywhere in the Dominion.

Essential Point in Cultivation  

The only essential points towards the cultivation of bearded irises are good drainage, plenty of sun, and a yearly application of lime, if it should be lacking in the soil. Many people make the mistake of confusing these plants with Japanese irises (I. Kaempferi) which are water loving and give them the same conditions. Wet feet means death to them, and shady, sheltered places reduce the quality of bloom and increase the chances of disease. It should be remembered that, from after the flowering period until the winter rains, the bearded Iris enjoys the driest conditions. The more sunbaked the rhizomes are (the rootstock) during the summer the more they will flower the following spring. I can hear many readers saying "I have too many hot, dry places that are useless as a summer garden". Well these are just the spots for bearded irises, try a few, and you will be agreeably surprised with the results.

How and When to Plant

Bearded irises are so hardy that they can safely be moved at any time of the year, but it is obvious that if this takes place near the flowering period, poorer blooms will be the result the first season. The correct time to plant is any time from December to May, the earlier the better, but for convenience most planting is done in the bulb season, about February or March. By planting in the early autumn, the rhizomes become thoroughly established before Winter, and are thus able to support the blooms. They should be planted with the top part of the rhizomes above the soil.
Although usually listed as one class there are, in my opinion, several distinct sections of bearded irises, and a study of each section is necessary if the desired effect as required.I am quite sure that a carefully planned Iris Garden bloom, arranged for colour affects, and with due consideration given to heights in times of flowering, is one of the finest sites one could wish to see. Indeed, I know of nothing so impressive, or so calculated to arouse sustained enthusiasm. One hears of 'Gladiolus fever' and 'a bug for rhododendrons', but I am sure there is an equally catching malady for Irises. The classes I would suggest are :- (1) dwarf border varieties ; (2) variegated, or bi-colours ; (3) Irises particularly suitable for massing ; (4) the giant flowered and tall growing modern hybrids.

Varieties for Front Borders

The dwarf growing varieties are particularly suitable for the front border and although often smaller in flower, are usually very free flowering. There are not many very dwarf varieties, but in mentioning a few, attention should be drawn to the beautiful deep orange yellow called 'Auren.' A free flowering light blue, called 'Attraction', is also most useful, and can be suitably associated with this variety. 'Caprice' is a rosy claret, and, like the preceding, a self colour, while 'Louis Bell' supply is a most useful shade of velvety purple, and is a great improvement on the old 'Purple King type.' To complete a selection of good front border varieties it is necessary to add the class of variegated or bi-colours. This class, as can be imagined, is comprised of those irises in which the colours of the standards (upright petals) is in direct contrast and of a different shade from the falls (lower petals). The effects as one can realise, are very striking. Quite a number in this class have standards of some shade of yellow, with falls in the shades from Chestnut to deep brown. The best known in the dwarf varieties are 'Knysna', brilliant yellow, with chestnut falls, 'Medallion', yellow, with chestnut red, and 'Iris King', which is a rich orange or old gold with falls of velvety crimson maroon, edged with yellow. Other shades in good dwarf bi-colours are 'Hiawatha', lavender and purple, 'Ann Leslie', ivory white, with carmine falls, 'Argynnis', mustard yellow and chestnut red, and 'Rhein Nixie', which is pure white, with striking purple violet falls.

Colour Schemes for Borders

In the Irises for massing, a greater effect can be secured by blending shades or by contrasting colours. To secure this effect it is desirable to have the "self" shades, or those varieties with an even toning. For instance, when the pale, light and dark blues are grouped together in a gradual shading of colours, the effect, as can be imagined, is most charming. The blues of the bearded irises are indispensable for the blue herbaceous border, and even in mass groups throughout the shrubbery they lighten up the dark, sombre green of the shrubs beyond with a colour that is usually lacking at this time of the year. Then, as a contrast, the bright yellows, with the deep blue or the lavender pinks, with the purples, present combinations not often attempted. It has often been said that you can never see irises at their best until they are massed, and while this is true, and applies to all varieties of bearded irises, yet undoubtedly there are certain varieties much more suitable for this purpose than others. Some varieties are extremely free flowering, and are consistent year after year in this respect, a feature of the utmost importance. I have made a particular study of irises that are really outstanding in possessing free flowering qualities and which also have suitable shades to produce the desired effect, and give a list of some of the most useful of the lower-priced varieties.

Best Varieties for Massing

In the blues, 'Rodney', a self, light violet blue, and 'Odoratissima', lavender blue, are the best, while the deeper shades 'Harmony', rich violet purple, and 'Souvenir de Madame Gaudichau', rich velvety violet, with blackish purple falls, are unquestionably the most useful. There are hundreds of other really splendid irises in these colours. Many are larger and more refined, but for a massed effect they come short either in colour, quantity of blooms, or free flowering qualities.
'Bonita' is the best new tall pure buttercup yellow. It is wonderfully vigourous and free flowering. A splendid Iris for massing with the blues. Although introduced a few years ago at £4 each, it is now quite cheap. 'Primavira' is an early free flowering primrose yellow and is most useful.
In the so-called pinks or lavender pinks the varieties 'Dream' or 'Susan Bliss' are best. They are practically the same shade of Lavender Rose pink with an orange beard. 'Rosalind' is slightly different in that the falls are rosy lilac. 'Ed. Michel' is an unusual, but useful shade of deep reddish purple, or almost wine red. 'Evadne' belongs to the same group, but is a richer shade, being beautiful bronzy red. All the above are self, or almost self shades; there are others that are also useful which I shall mention briefly.
'Gules', lilac blue and violet ; 'Diadem', mauve and reddish brown falls ; 'Eldorado', yellowish bronze shaded heliotrope, with violet purple falls ; 'Lieut. Williamson', huge lavender blue, falls velvety violet ; 'Ma Mie', white, frilled and veined light blue ; 'Prosper Laugier', coppery crimson ; and 'Señorita', lavender, overlaid with yellow. All these are now quite reasonable in price and can be secured from leading Iris specialists.

Giant Flowering Modern Hybrids

The last group is the giant flowering tall growing modern hybrids. Since it has evidently been the aim of modern hybridists to secure size of bloom, most of the novelties today belong to this class. There are some marvellous creations nowadays, but to go through them all fully would occupy considerable space. Moreover, many of the recent novelties are rather high-priced, and it is not everybody who can afford them. The illustration above gives some little idea of the beauty of the modern hybrids. Although a reduced illustration of this nature cannot give a correct impression of the velvety texture of the blooms and the stately garden effect of these giants, yet some guide can be given by mentioning that the blooms of 'Frieda Mohr', the lavender pink Iris in the top left of the bowl measures six inches by six and a half inches. A well branched head of this Iris in full bloom is a Bouquet in itself, while a large clump in flower is a magnificent sight. The tall central Iris illustrated is a variety called 'Germaine Perthius', while the browny red in the lower left is a popular variety called 'Glowing Embers'. The amber yellow bloom is a giant new yellow call 'Fortuna'. The illustration does not do it justice. One of the finest Iris's cultivation is 'Bruno', the one illustrated on the top right of the picture. The standards are bronzy lavender and the huge velvety falls are rich purple. An improvement on this variety called 'Mrs Valerie West', is undoubtedly the finest Iris and cultivation. A few years ago this variety was introduced at £6 each, but it is now offered in the Dominion at less than £1. The pure white illustrated is a variety called 'Shasta'. It is by far the largest white variety so far introduced. On the lower right is shown a browny red variety. This is 'Fireball', and is the brightest variety of its colour class and the nearest approach to red. The correct shade is iridescent vinaceous red. Nearby is a 'Dominion' seedling called 'Majestic' with the lavender blue standards and the falls of purple. The names and short descriptions of the Iris is illustrated given at the foot of this article all our first-class new varieties that are now reasonable and price.

Other Good Varieties

There are three at least that should be added to this illustrated collection. They are 'Don Quixote', a very large deep lavender, overlaid with yellow, and with falls of violet, with heavy brown venatation on a yellow ground. The second is 'Moa', with its arching standards of pure violet and broad circular falls of deep velvety violet. This stately Iris is rightly classed amongst the world's best. The last is 'San Francisco'. Its tall branching stems, carrying enormous white flowers, of which both standards and falls are edged with lavender, make it an outstanding variety, with nothing to approach it.
While I feel that I have scarcely touched the ground in dealing with this most fascinating subject, yet I cannot close without drawing your attention to the fact that hybridists in the Dominion who have, in recent years, taken the improvement of these plants, have met with such outstanding success there is to be hoped that New Zealand will shortly be "on the map" in the future and producing at least some of the world's best, as she is now doing in dahlias and gladioli.

Illustration of Irises as shown above
The names of the irises, reading from the extreme left, are :- 'Freida Mohr', lavender pink; 'Mons. Connault', reddish copper ; 'Valencia', orange buff ; 'Estrella', white and blue; 'Duke of Bedford', violet purple ; 'J. B. Dumas' rosy ; 'Glowing Embers', brownish (central) ; 'G. Pertheus', violet ; 'Shasta', giant white ; 'Kynsna', yellow and brown ; 'Fortuna', amber yellow ; 'Queen Caterina', light blue; 'Bruno' Bronze and purple ; 'Lieut Williamson', light and dark blue ; 'Majestic', blue and purple ; 'Firefall', browny red.

Article courtesy of the New Zealand Smallholder Magazine, 1934.

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