IRISH GARDENING 



i«i 



Iris sibirica. 



Our illustration depicts the value of this, one 

 of the best known Irises, for massing. 



The specific name would imply that it is a 

 Siberian Iris, but it is also found wald in Southern 

 Europe. There are many varieties to be found 

 in gardens, and still others may be expected, as 

 seeds are freely produced, and many variations 

 invariably occur giving scope for selection and 

 improvement. 



What ma}^ be considered the type plant has 

 blue flowers, usually veined with white. The 

 leaves are narrow, and the flower-stems, which 

 are holloa', usuallj^ carry several flowers extend- 

 ing well above the foliage, thus gaining much 



There are two forms of I. sibirica orientalis whicxi 

 are of rare beauty — viz., Blue King and Snow 

 Queen, which have large flowers of fine form 

 and effect. The cultural details of the Siberian 

 Irises are simple, and may be summed up in the 

 two words, moisture and manure. Nowhere do 

 they look so well as by the waterside, and the 

 banks of a lake, pond or stream may be made 

 beautiful by planting colonies of the various 

 forms and varieties, where their roots will reach 

 the water. An annual mulch of decaj^ed manure 

 in spring will be very beneficial and will much 

 increase the vigour of the flower spikes. Where 

 water is not available they may be grown quite 

 satisfactorily in the herbaceous border, ensuring 

 that the soil about them is kept moist and rich. 

 The flowering season is earl}^ summer. 



has SIBIKCA IX THE GARDENS A'^ HahrISTOWX IIoUSE. 



in beauty and effect. As stated above, many 

 varieties exist varying chiefly in colour, some 

 being pale and others dark blue, while some are 

 nearly white. Two very fine forms are I. 

 sibirica atrocserulea (dark blue) and I. sibirica 

 azurea (sky-blue), which, as recorded in the 

 August number of Irish Gardening, were very 

 fine at Newry, where large breadths of them are 

 grown. 



Iris sibirica orientalis is a distinct and desirable 

 variety, bearing larger flowers, usually singly, 

 and not carried so well above the foliage. 



Mr. W. R. Dykes, a generally accepted 

 authority on Irises, is inclined to consider this 

 form a distinct species. For garden purposes, 

 however, we need not worry as to its botanical 

 ])ositi()n, for it is well worthy of cultivation. 



The Kaffir Lily. 



The name of I.ily in any shape or form is a mis- 

 nomer as far as" tlie i)lant under notice is con- 

 cerned, as it belongs to the Iris family. 



A native of South Africa, it grows freely in 

 most ])arts of Ireland, and produces its handsome 

 scarlet flowers in October and November. A 

 sunny position in moist sandy soil appears to 

 suit it well. If iilanted in shade or in a soil too 

 wet an enormous mass of groM'ths result, b\it few 

 flowers are iiroduced, and the plant loses its 

 greatest charm. Tlie aim shoidd be therefore to 

 ])rovide s )il which will give sufficient moisture 

 to ensure satisfactory growth during siuim-er, and 

 yet allow the growths to become sufTiciently 

 ripened to produce aT)imdance of flowers in late 

 autumn — a season when they ara much a.p[)re- 

 ciated. 



