Farr's Hardy Plants

The 1939 Checklist gives:"Bertrand H. Farr (1863-1924), Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Farr Nurseries Co., Weiser Park, Pa., (moved there from Wyomissing in 1925). Mr. Farr was a native of Vermont but lived a great part of his life in Iowa and the final part of it in Pennsylvania. A student of music in his youth, he established a music business in Webster City, Iowa. Later, moving to Reading, Pa., he became interested in horticulture, specializing in Peonies, Irises and Lilacs. He established a nursery and sold his music business in 1908. Mr. Farr was the first in the United states to take up seriously the breeding of Irises, the first introductions being made in 1909. He imported whatever he could obtain that was thought to be good, and at the time he died, had possibly the largest collection in the United States (about 1200 varieties). President, American Peony Society for eight years, Director of A.I.S. 1920-1924. since his death the nursery is more devoted to Evergreens and Ornamental Trees than to Iris or Peonies though they list some good varieties, including Japanese No hybridizing has been done since 1924. Letter 1921, 1939."

Click on images to view catalogs.

Other Iris Nurseries

Farr’s 1909	Farr's 1910	Farr's 1913	Farr's 1917	Farr's 1918

Farr also put out a newsletter called Better Plants; Irises were often featured.

For More Information on Historic Irises visit the HIPS website at http://historiciris.org/

-- BobPries - 2015-01-30