Evening star., 1944-04-23
BY ". III. Y0wngman,
Garden Editor.

CA1te1Ao Vd4Iy ~ O44 pdSt ILl1(loU1IIllICI.' :
Many gardeners are beginning to
note the usefulness OF the dwarf iris
and the wide range of colors now
available. These low-growing
Casually less than a foot in height
plants make splendid edgings for
borders. They are most prolific,
increasing so rapidly that they make
a solid border in two or three years.
The following dwarf varieties are
inexpensive 1ess than Is cents) !:
White, Autumn Queen, Bride; red,
Atroviolacea, Graminea; yellow,
Aurea Maculata, Florida, Harbor
Light, Jean Siret, Keepsake; blue.
Azurea, Blue Beard, Laddie Boy;
purple, Blue Jade, Cyanea, Marocain
and Tony.
Following the April Towering
dwarfs there are the intermediate
iris. Some expect them to be in
termediate in height, but usually
they are intermediate in season OF
bloom, bridging the gap between
the dwarfs and the tall-bearded
Outstanding among the inexpen-
sive intermediates are: White,
Leota; red, Red Orchid; yellow,
Crysoro, Gaynelle, Maygold, South
land; blue, Autumn Hazel, Blue Boy;
purple. Challenger, Eleanor Roose-
velt and Kochii.
The tau-bearded iris have for long
been the mainstay Of the backyard
gardener. They come in q wide
range Of colors and forms. Free
blooming and strong growing. they
are one Of the most snowy Of gar
den flowers. The newer varieties
far outrank the older ones in brill
lance, color and form.
The following are not the new
est varieties, but they are better
than are to be found in the average
garden and they are listed at Is
cents or less: White, Gudrun, Venus
de Milo: red, Goblin Red, Joycette,
Spokan; yellow, Pluie dor, Alta
California; blue, Buechley's Giant,
Paulette, Princess Beatrice, San
Diego, Winneshiek; purple, Direc-
teur Pinelle, Legend. Other colors:
Depute Nomblot, Jean Cayeaux,
Mary Geddes, San Francisco and
Wasatch.
Hardly have the tall-bearded iris
finished with their colorful display
than the orientals begin their con-
tribution to the garden. Because
often enormously associated with
water gardens, backyard gardeners
fear to try them for lack of a suit
able situation. However, this Is not
true. They will grow in the average
flower border almost as easily as the
tall-bearded. They do, however,
thrive in moister situations or in
more shade than the groups men,
toned above. Thus, they are adapt
able to garden needs. The orientals
are divided into two main groups
Siberian and Japanese. OF the
Siberians, Caezar, Emperor, Perry's
Blue and White Queen can be used
for starter. The selection of Jap
anese varieties should be made while
they are in flower as the coloring
and veining do not appeal to all alike,
although some maintain that they
are all desirable.
Iris are comparatively easy to
grow. The dwarf, intermediate and
the tall-bearded groups require full
sun and well-drained site. Even
though the soil may not be well
drained the bed may be raised a
few inches and they will thrive.
Iris are normally lifted and di-
vided shortly after Towering. This
Is perhaps the one cultural re-
quirement that is most frequently
neglected. BY lifting and dividing
every three to five years they may
be kept growing vigorously and
Towering freely. Because of this
vigorous growth the soil should be
enriched with compost and bone
meal to supply needed plant food
before planting.
In dividing it is we'll not to break