THE GARDENERS' CHRONICLE OF AMERICA. 



43 



THE SEMI-AQUATIC IRISES. 



Uy H. J. Moore. 



The most noteworthy of the semi-aquatic group of iris 

 IS the Japanese I. Laevigata (syn. Kaempferi), differing 

 to such an e.xtent from the other representatives of the 

 genus as to merit the name of the clematis-flowered iris, 

 owing to its flowers resembUng those of the large-flower- 

 ed clematis. This lovely plant will flourish in any good 

 soil, and is not particular to ])osition if such be damp, and 

 sunny, but as it is really semi-aquatic, this iris is seen at 

 its best when growing by the water's edge, near a small 

 stream, for instance. \\'hen arranged in masses in such 

 positions the beauty of its flowers is indescribable, the 

 colors are magnificent. Many flowers measure eight 

 inches in diameter. \\'hen associated in a scheme with 

 other semi-aquatic or aquatic plants, such as Xelumbiums 

 and water lilies, no combination could be more pleasing. 



The Japanese Iris may be effectively used in any sunny 

 border with a soil fairly retentive of moisture, provided 

 that water be copiously afforded during dry weather, 

 especiallv previous to flowering and for a short time after- 

 word. It is not advisable to attempt to grow the plants in 

 a very sandy or porous soil, but a depression or hollow 

 niav be utilized to advantage in a garden with such a soil, 

 by simplv incorporating a quantity of clay when planting. 

 In such depressions moisture will remain much longer 

 than on higher ground, and by judicious applications of 

 water, resuhs will prove eminently satisfactory. 



.\ novel and interesting way in which to grow the 

 Japanese Irises is to sink a tub or barrel without a bottom, 

 into a hole in the garden border, or even in any con- 

 venient and sunny position. The depth of the barrel 

 should not exceed eighteen inches. Four inches of clay 

 should be placed in the bottom, and upon this twelve 

 inches of good adhesive loam, leaving two inches of space 

 at the top. Plant the iris either during the fall or spring, 

 and during the second spring after planting, just as 

 growth commences, afford weak applications of liquid 

 cow manure occasionally. When buds are forming, and 

 during the flowering period, do not neglect to water nor 

 withhold it entirely until the resting period approaches. 



The season of flowering of the Japanese Iris is from 

 the middle of June until August, varying, of course, 

 with latitude. The common yellow Water Flag I. pseu- 

 dacorus, and its vari&ties albus and Bastardi, also the 

 native species I. versi-color and I. carolinensis, are all suit- 

 able for water-side planting, while the exotic Iris sibirica 

 and its many varieties, so well known to all lovers of the 

 plant, require a moist rich soil and a sunny position for 

 their perfect development. There are also many other 

 semi-aquatic exotics, of which space forbids mention, but 

 which, if cultivated along the lines advised for the Japa- 

 nese types, will give equally good results in a moist 

 border or at the water's edge. 



The Japanese, as indeed almost all semi-aquatic irises, 

 may be raised from seed. .Many new varieties are an- 

 nually raised by crossing. This latter procedure is inter- 

 esting and worthy of a trial, as the iris ofifers a wide field 

 for hybridization. Spring, as recommended for the 

 border types, is the best time to sow the seed. Division 

 of the rhizomes, however, is the quickest and most popu- 

 lar method of propagation, this being performed by simply 

 severing them in the manner explained in a recent article. 



It would seem that there is need of. and room for, ex- 

 tensive experiments with the hardy iris, especially the 

 semi-aquatic types, exotic or otherwise. It appears in- 

 congruous that such beautiful and valuable plants are not 

 included more generally in landscape gardening schemes, 

 especially where woodland and water scenes are included. 

 Many species and hybrids are eminently adapted for natu- 



ralizing in such positions, a,s they seed readily and quickly 

 cover large areas with multi-colored patches of flowers, 

 which are a thousand-fold more desirable because more 

 naturally arranged and more naturally adapted to wild 

 gardening than the mixed e.xotic, and other herbaceow 

 perennials, and shrubs which are often used for t 

 purpose. 



In naturalistic planting, where native irises cannot be 

 obtained or where >ome special effect is desired, it is quite 

 permissible to utilize e.xotic subjects, but we must remem- 

 ber that irises are irises all the world over, and if the iris 

 is to be a special feature of any scheme, we must not be 

 misled by the lure of some nursery catalogue with its 

 brilliantly-colored plates and glowing descriptions into 

 purchasing something just as good. There are numer- 

 ous responsible firms from whom the semi-aquatic irises 

 may be obtained, there being nothing just as good as the 

 iris where the iris is the logical subject to use. 



— Canadian Florist. 



JUNE. 



JOINED be the hand of time and June, 

 The fragrant rose, the garden's pride, 

 Opulence of heavenly boon. 



Perfumes the air at eventide. 

 T TNDALTNTED time at manhood's noon, 

 ^^ Comes now to wed his long sought bride. 

 ^EATH nodding stars, and summer moon 



Their vows are made, the knot is tied. 

 Round Earth's altar flowers festoon, 



Alorn wafts their fragrance far and wide, 

 Birds warble in their sweetest tune. 



.\11 nature joins "Here comes the bride," 

 'Sl'ciy they enjoy their honeymoon. 



ERE long, bold fate shall them divide. 

 D.wm S. AIiLLi-u. 



PERFECT DAYS. 



The poet and mystic, Emerson, wrote of the perfect 

 New England day : "There are days which occur in this 

 climate at almost any season of the year, whereon the 

 world reaches its perfection ; when the air, the heavenly 

 bodies and the earth make a harmony as if Nature would 

 indulge her offspring;. . . . and the cattle that lie on the 

 ground seem to have great and tranquil thoughts." It 

 was of such a day that Lowell sang : 



".And what is so rare as a day in June? 



Then, if ever, come perfect days ; 

 Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, 

 And over it softly her warm ear lays." 



The busy man in the strenuous days of haying has, it 

 is true, little time for poetry and reflection ; yet there is 

 something about the quality of the early June days that 

 lifts us out of ourselves, and sets us in tune with the in- 

 finite. But these thoughts visit only those who are in 

 close touch with Nature, and are scarcely possible to 

 those who walk in the deep caverns between sky-scrapers, 

 and whose horizon is bounded by rows of houses. Thus 

 by the divine law of compensation, those who in the fields 

 are bearing the heat and burden of the day are able to see 

 with a clearer vision as they lift their eyes to the hills. 



The man who is thus daily and hourly in close touch 

 with Nature, sharer of her secrets, partner in her bounty 

 and witness of lier beauty and her miracles, ought to be 

 a clean and wholesome man, as we believe usually he is. 

 Wickedness and vice cannot live in such an atmos])liere 

 if man is in projier touch with his environment and has 

 caught the celestial fire. Let us all, however busy we 

 may be, pause long enough to drink in the beautv of 

 these June days, and be thankful that our lines have 

 fallen in pleasant places. — Fann JournaL 



