HORTICULTURE DEPARTMENT • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907
YARD AND GARDEN
HO-75
IRIS
John A. Wott, Extension home environment horticulturist
The iris is one of the oldest garden perennials. Fourthousand years ago in Crete, priests and princes regarded the iris as a prize possession. Native to the north temperate zone, several species have long been grown in mid-western gardens. Today, modern hybridizers have developed new cultivars, man-developed varieties, of outstanding size and color.
Irises are ideal perennials for sunny well-drained areas. Rhizomatous types produce a rhizome that grows just below the soil surface. The rhizome serves as a storage organ for "foods" produced by the leaves. A blooming stalk is produced only once from each rhizome. Thus, developing rhizomes are the source of future flower crops.
Irises may also be used to naturalize banks, particularly where the soil is poor. Do not plant in woodlands where the soil is too moist and sun is limited.
For a long season of bloom, plan to use several types of irises along with other annuals and perennials. The bulbous irises are the earliest to bloom in March and April; next come the dwarf bearded irises and the standard bearded irises. Siberian irises bloom throughout June, while Japanese types bloom in late June through July.
Iris rhizomes may be purchased from companies specializing in irises, from garden centers, and from local hobbyists. Many named cultivars are now available.
Almost every year, the top iris variety is presented the Dykes Medal by The American Iris Society. Although winning the Dykes Medal is not necessarily the only criteria for selecting iris, amateurs may find these winners desirable. Prize winning irises are selected on the basis of form, substance, color, size, length of bloom, period of bloom, and resistance to pest and disease. All classes of irises are eligible for the Dykes Medal. The recent winners are:
1970	Skywatch	1975	Pink Taffeta
1971	Debby Rairdon	1976	Kilt Lilt
1972	Babbling Brook	1977	Dream Lover
1973	New Moon	1978	Bride's Halo
1974	Shipshape	1979	Mary Frances
Others winners in the various classes of irises for 1979 were:
Mitchell Award
(Pacific Coast Natives)
Los Gatos
Councilman (R.U.)
Restless Native (R.U.)

Nies Award
(Spuria)
Ila Crawford
Buttered Chocolate (R.U.)
Plain Jane (R.U.)

Knowlton Award
(Border Beard)
Stepping Little
Ain't Nuthin' (R.U.)
Copy Cat (R.U.)

Sass Medal
(Intermediate Beard) Swizzle
Appleblossom Pink (R.U.)
Tumwater (R.U.)
Apache Warrior (R.U.)
*R.U. = Runnerup
Caparne Award
(Miniature Dwarf)
Liberation
April Ballet (R.U.)*
Nuggets (R.U.)

Cook-Douglas Medal
(Standard Dwarf)
Kentucky Bluegrass
Candy Apple (R.U.)
Boo (R.U.)

C. G. White Medal
(Aril)
Genetic Dancer
Sheik (R.U.)

Mohr Award
(Arilbred)
Pogo Doll
April Lady (R.U.)
Williamson-White Award
(Miniature Tall [Table])
White Canary
Panda (R.U.)
Dancing Gold (R.U.)

Debaillon Award
(Louisianas)
This I Love
F.A.C. McCulla (R.U.)
Shrimp Creole (R.U.)

Morgan Award
(Siberians)
Angury
Savoir Faire (R.U.)
Steve (R.U.)

Payne Award
(Trystion)
Prairie Velvet
Evening Reverie (R.U.)