The iris must be a favorite of nature, for there are many different kinds, each endowed with a special charm, and the many kinds are widely distributed over the northern hemisphere.
There are, to class, the various types simply and most informally, the bearded, the beardless, and the crested.
The bearded class consists of plants so completely unlike in height, blooming season, and other characteristics that it may be divided into five distinct groups:
- Dwarf
- Intermediate and tall bearded
- Once bearded
- Cocycles-regalia species and hybrids
The beardless class naturally divides itself into plants that grow from fibrous or rhizomatous rootstocks and bulbs or corms.
As for the iris with a crest, situated where the beard is in the first classification, are so few that it is optional to separate them into groups.
Bearded Iris
Bearded or login iris varies greatly. The dwarfs may be so short that the tips of their petals touch the ground.
The intermediates may be 1’ to 2’ feet high, while the beloved tall bearded varieties may exceed 5’ feet. As might be expected, the dwarfs bloom first, the intermediates next, and the tall ones later.
Very recent developments, however, are upsetting this orderly sequence of bloom. Hybridizers have crossed a certain type of the species pumila with the tall bearded and produced a new race of plants (some of which are very short) that bloom any time from the dwarf to the late tall bearded season.
This iris, too new to have appeared on the market, should prove valuable as edging and rock garden subjects.
Tall-Bearded Iris
Most people are familiar with the tall bearded iris that make a dazzling display of every tint and shade in the rainbow after the late tulips and before the daylilies.
They are easy to grow and the most magnificent and permanent hardy perennials. The intermediates are as beautiful, if less stately, and the winsome dwarfs, early- and free-flowering, are true miniatures of their splendid relative.
Once-bearded Hybrids
The once-bearded hybrids, produced from the oncocyclus species of Palestine and the tall bearded, closely parallel the latter in beauty, use, and cultural requirements. Typical of this group are the popular Lady Mohr, Elmohr, and Morning Blue.
Oncocyclus And Regalia Species
However, the oncocyclus and regalia species are quite different in colors, requirements, and even form. Moreover, they insist on conditions that approximate the wet springs and long, dry summers of their native lands.
Rhizomes must be lifted in most parts of the country, stored in a dry place over summer, and replanted in fall.
The gray, black-spotted Iris Susiana (an anchor) and the elongated, pale lavender I. korolkowii (a regalia veined weirdly with black purple) are typical of the preposterously lovely species, and the varieties Thor, Psyche, and Andromache of the hybrids derived from them.
Apogon Iris
Among beardless or Apogon iris, the Siberian stems mainly from Iris sibirica and Iris Orientalis.
They thrive in semi-shade or sun in any good garden soil and, when left undisturbed for several years, make dense, showy clumps, ranging from white through the blues to deep purple and wine red. They are one of the finest plants for the entire iris family’s perennial border.
Spurias, too, are easy to grow. Once established, they bloom profusely in the same spot for many years.
Their sword-like foliage is especially attractive: new, lighter green leaves mingle with older dark green ones, giving clumps an interesting variegated effect. Like the Siberians, they are immune to soft rot and may be fertilized heavily.
Japanese Iris
Japanese iris differs from the other beardless sorts, requiring more water and acid soil. In Japan, they are grown in depressed beds flooded before and during the blooming period.
This, however, is unnecessary since they respond to good, rich, loamy soil and surface watering during their growing season.
Louisiana Iris
Louisiana iris, found in the semi-tropical swamps of the lower Mississippi Valley, are very adaptable. They even take to northern gardens if covered in winter.
They appreciate frequent applications of rotted manure and all the water they can get, prospering when treated properly and blooming to capacity.
There are, too, the wild iris of the Central and Atlantic states. The species I. Virginia grows from the Texas border to eastern Virginia, giving way to me. Versicolor. Neither hybridizes with other types, although there is great variation in their seedlings.
Certain collected forms of both are ideal for general plantings around pools, ponds, and low spots.
Since I. pseudacorus, the yellow iris of central Europe, has the same requirements and may be used as Virginia and Versicolor are used, it may be grouped with them.
A beautiful group of the native iris is also found in the Pacific Northwest. The available varieties— mostly forms or hybrids of the two species I. douglasiana and I. innominata—are low in stature and fond of heavy, acid soil.
Mature plants are difficult to transplant, but young seedlings can be moved easily. Both species are difficult to grow in the East but worth the trouble, particularly in rock gardens.
Beardless Iris—Bulbous
In times past, the only small, early-flowering bulbous iris available was I. reticulata. More recently, several other species have been imported and made available at fairly reasonable prices.
The species reticulata and histrionics are very hardy, requiring only a sunny situation that drains well. But since I. bakeriana and I. danfordiae will seize upon any sunny day in winter to send up foliage, they are subject to winter kill.
All four species are fine for the border, the rock garden, and, to some extent, for naturalizing in the lawn.
Except in the far South, Dutch and Spanish iris should be dug after blooming and stored, as gladiolus bulbs are stored, until late fall or the following spring.
They may be planted at intervals for a succession of blooms. Both types are valuable as cut flowers. The variety of Wedgwood is a favorite florist’s flower.
Crested Iris
Two members of the crested group —I. cristata and I. tectorum—are familiar to many gardeners.
The first is a native of the South and is used by wild garden enthusiasts in moist, semi-shaded places.
The second, a native of Japan, is a shallow-rooted, hardy, floriferous plant that’s lovely in borders. The white form of I. tectorum, however, is slightly tender.
Less well-known are the species I. gracilipes, a hardy rock garden iris from Japan, and the tender I. japonica which has many-branched stalks that carry numerous ruffled flowers resembling spray orchids. Unfortunately, I. japonica must be grown in the greenhouse except in California and the Gulf Coast.
Dependable Iris Varieties
TALL BEARDED
- Amandine (cream)
- Azure Skies (lavender blue)
- Cloth of Gold (yellow)
- Distance (light blue)
- Blue Rhythm (medium blue)
- Master Charles (purple)
- Pink Sensation (pink)
- Pink Formal (shrimp pink)
- New Snow (white)
- Argus Pheasant (copper-rose)
- Sunset Blaze (rose blend)
INTERMEDIATE BEARDED
- Eleanor Roosevelt (blue-purple)
- Ivory Elf (cream)
- Alaska (white)
- Zua (pale gray lavender)
- Crysoro (yellow)
- Red Orchid (red-purple)
- Pigmy Gold (yellow)
DWARF BEARDED
- Cream Tart (cream)
- Green Spot (white and green)
- Fairy Flax (light blue)
- Baria (pale yellow)
- Sound Money (yellow)
- Tiny Tony (purple)
- Tampa (red)
- Keepsake (yellow)
ONCO-BEARDED
- Lady Mohr (cinnamon tan)
- Elmohr (purple)
- Morning Blue (gray-blue)
- Heigho (purple)
ONCO-REGALIA
- I. Susiana and korolkowii (species)
- Thor
- Psyche
- Andromache
- Luna
- Lucia (all veined and dotted in shades of purple and brown)
SIBERIAN
- Gatineau (blue)
- Cool Spring (blue)
- Mountain Lake (blue)
- Caesar’s Brother (purple)
- Tycoon (purple)
- Eric the Red (red wine)
- Snowcrest (white)
SPURIAS
- Sunny Day (yellow)
- Monteagle (red-purple)
- Hazy Hills (lavender)
- Saugatuck (blue and gold)
- Russet Flame (red-brown)
- Wadi Zem Zem (large yellow)
JAPANESE
- Helene (white, penciled deep blue)
- Mrs. J. A. Hayden (white, suffused light violet-blue)
- Nishiki Yama (white with foxglove red border)
- Catherine Parry (medium blue)
- Higo Strain
- Appare (deep crimson shading to light rose, narrow white veins)
- Toyama-Garasu (magenta rose, light purple styles)
- Hisakata (deep midnight blue)
LOUISSIANA
- Caddo (deep wine red)
- Royal Gem (red-purple)
- Kraemer Yellow (light yellow)
- June Clouds (white)
- Bayou Sunset (red and gold)
- Cajan Joyous (rose blend)
CENTRAL AND EASTERN NATIVES
- Claret Cup (wine red)
- I. Virginia (blue)
- I. Versicolor (blue-purple)
- I. pseudacorus (introduced, yellow)
PACIFIC COAST NATIVES
- I. Douglasiana
- I. innominata
- I. Tenax in variety (colors vary from blue, purple, and yellow)
DWARF BULBOUS
- I. reticulata (purple)
- I. histrionics major (deep blue)
- I. bakeriana (blue), I. danfordiae (yellow)
- J. S. Dijt (red-purple)
- Krelagei (blue-purple)
- Cantab (light blue)
LARGE BULBOUS
- National Velvet (dark blue)
- Blue Horizon (light blue)
- Bronze Queen (bronze)
- Royal Purple (purple)
- White Superior (white)
- Golden Harvest (medium yellow)
- Golden Lion (deep gold)
- Princess Irene (yellow blend)
CRESTED
Dwarf:
- I. cristata (pale blue)
- I. gracilipes (lavender)
Border
- I. tectorum (lavender purple)
- Tectorum album (white)
Pot Culture
- I. japonica (pale lavender)
- Varieties Nada (lavender)
- Darjeeling (white)
44659 by Geddes Douglas