194 
THE DICTIONARY OF 
GARDENING, 
Iris—continued. 
tents. The seeds germinate the following spring, and 
bulbs, sufficiently large for flowering, may be expected 
after three years’ growth. Quantities of offsets may also 
be utilised for propagating purposes; but care should be 
taken not to injure the old bulb in removing them, or 
allow it to be kept too long exposed to the air. The 
rhizomatous section may be propagated by division ; or by 
layering, if roots are not readily emitted in the ordinary 
way. 
Cultivation. The bulbous section, or Xiphions, are 
principally represented in gardens by what are known 
as English and Spanish Tris. Both are of Spanish origin, 
and vary chiefly in the size of the bulbs and flowers, 
and in the more curious combination of colours, as ex- 
hibited in the flowers of the former. T. filifolia, I. Histrio, 
T. persica, and I. reticulata, are very beautiful, and early 
flowering species, also of this section, They all succeed 
best in a light, rich, sandy soil, and in a situation fully 
exposed to sun, yet protected, if possible, from easterly 
or other strong winds. Efficient drainage in autumn and 
not be removed from the soil more than is really necessary. 
Bulbous Iris are most attractive when planted in masses. 
Of the rhizomatous species there are large numbers, 
which may be grouped according as their cultivation 
requires, -The bearded, more commonly called the German 
Irises, comprise a number of varieties, having large and 
very handsome flowers; and, as they are among the easiest 
to cultivate, they are largely grown. Their rhizomes (see 
Fic, 324. SURFACE RHIZOMES OF GERMAN IRIS. 
Fig. 324) are formed on the top of the ground, and should 
not be covered with soil, or they will be liable to rot in 
winter. Dwarf-growing species, like alata, aphylla, biflora, 
Chameiris and its varieties, pumila with its varieties, and 
: rubro-marginata, should be provided with a sunny posi- 
tion on a rockery, and be planted in light, rich soil, 
 flavescens, florentina, germanica, lutescens, sambucina, 
and squalens, are a few of the stronger-growing bearded 
_ Tris, that are not so particular regarding the soil or 
situation wherein they are planted. 
The beardless Irises comprise a large group, and their 
cultivation va: n lerably with different species. 
Some do best in loam, others in peat and loam, 
and others again in nearly all peat, formed into a sort 
of semi-bog, by the insertion of 3in. of clay beneath it. 
Some of the species which succeed with this latter pre- 
paration are: fulva, ħezagona, levigata, pseudacorus, 
setosa, sibirica and its varieties, and versicolor virginica. 
Examples of beardless Iris which succeed in loam, or loam 
peat, aurea, graminea, Guldenstädtiana, humilis, 
ca and I. susiana are two et the most singular 
and beautiful species, belonging to a separate group or 
* 
winter are important conditions, and the bulbs should. 
Tris—continued. 
sub-genus. They are amongst the most difficult of plants 
to flower, and require special treatment, apart from any 
of the others. A frame, and light, rich soil, should be 
provided for their accommodation, and they should be 
dried off, and allowed the fullest exposure to the sun 
from the time flowering is over, until spring of the 
following year. Plenty of river sand round the rhizomes 
tends to keep them dry in winter—ayn important point 
in the cultivation—and also assists in effecting perfect 
drainage at all times. All varieties of Iris are impatient 
of root disturbance, their flowering being much hindered 
thereby. Plants that are established increase in size 
rapidly, and flower with much more certainty if allowed 
to remain undisturbed. They like plenty of sun and 
air, but should be protected, if practicable, from east 
and northerly winds. 
In the subjoined list, the Synopsis of Mr. J. G. Baker, 
which appeared in the columns of the Gardeners’ Chronicle, 
has been followed. 
Sect. I. Irises proper. 
=i amæna (pleasing). A synonym of J. hybrida. 
7n piyan (leafiess). f. scentless ; limb dark lilac, 2ż4in. deep; 
obovate, Zin, to lin. broad, reflexin half-way. down, enne- 
atin narrowed to a lon claw ; beard white ; standards erect, a 
little broader than the falls, suddenly narrowed into a long claw ; 
claws white, veined with lilac. May. L not more than two pro- 
— to a tuft, glaucous-green, ensiform, falcate. Stems forked 
ree down, or two or even three produced from the same tuft. 
lft. Eastern Europe and Western Asia. (B. M. 2361 ; B. R 
fol, under name of J. furcata.) 
I. arenaria (sand-lovi A. bright yellow, striped with purplish- 
brown on the claws ; sr oblong- spathulate, co a bright — 
ard reaching half-way up; standards rather shorter, and narrow: 
scape slender, erect, one or two-flowered. May. J. tufted, few, 
linear. Rhizome much-branched. h. šin. to 4in. Hungary to 
European Russia, 1802. This plant is well adapted for rockery 
or pot culture, but i is not common in English gardens. (B. R. 549.) 
i aurea (golden).* _fi. bright yellow ; falls oblong, crisped at the 
edge; late, shorter than the falls. June. 
É ensiform, about 2ft. long. Stem stout, bearing two sessile 
— flowers. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Western Himalayas, (B. R. 
I. balkana (Balkan).* bright lilac-p tube 1 1 
limb 3in. fh. — d stan sS — ool pe * e 
valves green, eia April. Stem as long as the leaves. itt 
Northern Thrace, 1878. Mr. Baker regards this as a variety of 
L E sayari iti is a very fine 
(two-flowered).* bright violet- le ; limb 2in. to 
—* — falls obovate, fy broad, araia half. -way down, 
the ye! Now beard over lin. "long; 4 ee erect, over lin. broad ; 
spathe two-flowered. April. l ensiform, rather glaucous. 
prime nest — South Europe, 1696. SYNS. 
L3 E. M EO 7 nudicaulis er which name it is figured ‘in 
E — rare as A synonym of I. ensata, — 
Cae men opani A. = paved ; limb almost 2in. lon; 
obovate-cuneate, near SN 
reflexi — down, the bright yello * real yo — 
than -way up; stan as broad as the f: pare 
somewhat shorter ; the t i 
rig ns ar Ar e two-flowered. a 1. linear, thin. 
—— (short-pointed). A synonym of T. setosa. 
—— Iris).* * soli 
ht 
verging, Chiong inguieulate, log i at the ‘ae, 
rimrose-yellow. — 
F — — eit 
; . Olban 
—— claw ws limt dep ia p — og: 
tipp 1 with ow; standards obo Ser is a a “Tite 
broader than the falls. April. Stem 4in. to bin. long, y 
ganssthing eat a litle above the > base, ae oe @.M. 
e “eretensis (Cretan — ne 
(Cretan).* fl. limb lilac, 2in. 
guiculate, beardless, fin. broad; the —— fas obovate 
— than the peie claw; standards te -un- 
guiculate, — broad. April and May. l. in dense narrow- 
linear, erect, firm, and stout in texture, acuminate, closely and 
distinctly ribbed. = — so that the spathe is sessile $ neasile bi the 
en oi e cluster of leav Greec Asia Minor. Crete, 
the Ionian Islands. (B. M. 6343.) P — 
I. cristata —— * linib l 
—— Bo il —— about din. — falls 
