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They Provide a Broad Range of Variety and Color – Planting Time Here By F. W. Cassebeer

With iris planting time at hand the progressive gardener will not let the season pass without securing at least a few of the newer – and much finer – varieties that are now available at such moderate prices. This is especially true this year, because the Tall Bearded iris, among hardy plants, requires about the minimum of care and is therefore ideal for wartime beds and borders.
…..For several years the writer has grown practically all of the newer irises, and the varieties suggested here have been selected on the basis of all around performance rather than for the beauty of the flower alone. I any garden with average good care , they will “perform’ to the growers satisfaction.
…..Amoung whites there is glorious Mount Washington, whose whose noble form and carriage never fail to excite admiration, or Old Parchment with it’s elusive coloring – cream tinted with lavender fading to the color of parchment. As a striking contrast to these are the dusky blue-purple Sable and that wonderful dark blue blend, Deep Velvet. For sheer brilliance and carrying power in the garden, nothing surpasses the white and purple bi-color Wabash, and the bright buttercup-yellow of Golden Hind.

In Red Tones

…..There was a time when red-toned irises were the most sought after of all colors. Today we have many good ones in this color class, with Christobel as the most vigorous, and Junaluska as on of the richest in coloring. In the lighter tones E. B. Williamson gives a fine red effect in the sunlight, while The Red Douglas, though more purple than red, is truly magnificent in a clump.
…..Perhaps the greatest improvement in recent years has been in the large yellow irises. Of these, probably the most reliable is Golden Majesty. Fair Elaine has finely formed flowers of cream heavily overlaid with deep yellow, while Arctic is a white with a golden haft. the clump effect of Prince of Orange is excellent.
…..In the duller shades, Bronzino has a quiet beauty all its own; the plum colored Charlotte Millet is reminiscent of the coloring of breeder tulips. One of the finest medium tone blends is Matula with its shadings of rose, orange, crimson and buff, and Grand Canyon, a deeper blend which turly resembles the evening effects found at the gorge for which it was named. Louvois is a fine brownish maroon, edged lighter. Amigo is an unbelievably rich iris with bluish violet standards and deep velvety purple falls.
…..Blue-toned iris have always been justly popular for their cool pleasing garden effect. In this group Great Lakes stands at the head of the list. The powder blue Exclusive and the lavender blue Shining Waters are still excellent varieties. Somewhat deeper are Waverly and Missouri; and Brunhilde is really dark blue. Those who like dotted and edged iris will be enchanted with Florentine and Claribel, or the more heavily bordered Tiffany. Most of our old gardens contained some of the small-flowered iris with bronzy yellow standards and reddish maroon falls. large versions of this group are the bright City of Lincoln, Sonny Boy, and the more blended Mary Vernon.