238 



JOURNAL OF HORTICOLTUEE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



t Mwoli 25, 1875. 



and coloration, but would have the additional feature of 

 interest in the cultivation of beautiful flowers for the sake of 

 their own individual and intrinsic attractions. It would, too, 

 spread flowers where they are not now to be seen, and make 

 many a dark spot of earth bright and pleasant and sweet. 

 That is why we seek to popularise our hardy flowers as well as 

 to preserve the use of and improve the taste in the disposition 

 of everything that makes our gardens an integral and indivis- 

 able part of our homes. 



The great family of Iris, of which we figure the most 

 familiar type, is in its various forms calculated to add to any 

 garden an interest and a charm it did not possess before. 



Fig. 5G.— Iris germaniea. 



They unfold their glowing colours at a period when such 

 colours are scarce, and in the spring and early summer months 

 present a richness that the gayest occupants of the conservatory 

 and stove cannot possibly surpass. Thanks to the care of the 

 admiring florist and to the enterprise of floral caterers, the 

 Irises so far from being lost are offered in a variety not even 

 approached when the flower was in the first stages of its 

 popularity. The German Iris, which was then limited to blue, 

 purple, and white, can now be had iu collections of fifty or 

 more named varieties, including almost every colour and tint 

 tliat can be imaginec'. 



This section are hardy herbaceous perennials, evergreen, and 

 of the easiest possible culture. They are not at all particular 

 as to soil, and will Hourish well iu any fairly good ground. 

 They have further this groat advantage, that they will flourish, 

 at the least as well as any other flower, in the neighbourhood 

 of large towns where most plants under the smoke-defiled 

 atmosphere linger and die. They are increased by root-division , 

 and the present is a good time to establish collections. They 

 also divide well after the blooming period iu May. They are 

 admirably adapted for planting by the side of carriage drives 

 and for shrubbery ornamentation, where they increase and 

 flower year by year with very little care and attention. To 

 furnish cut blooms f(]r filling largo vases tbey have at their 

 season few if any equals as hardy flowers. The blooms if cut 

 when one-third open will travel well, expand, and continue 

 fresh in water for several days. Most of them have a delicate 

 perfume, and are deserving a place iu all gardens of town and 



country. They have further the property which at times is so 

 useful of growing and blooming well under the shade of trees. 

 This section grows to an height of 2 to 3 feet. It is unquestion- 

 ably a fine old garden plant, and there we leave it. 



We would now notice a few others perhaps still more beauti- 

 ful than the above, and adapted to different modes of culture 

 and decorative purposes. Their diminutive growth renders 

 some of these particularly suitable for pot culture, for which 

 purpose they are highly commendable. What have we — what 

 can we have more richly beautiful and at the same time sweetly 

 perfumed than the early-bJooming I. Reticulata ? This variety 

 has every claim to become popular as a spring-blooming conser- 

 vatory plant, where it may be had iu bloom in February. At 

 that time nothing can compare with its deep blue flowers. 

 Bulbs of this should always be ordered with the Hyacinths, 

 and planted three or more in a pot, and they will give a reward 

 commensurate with any care bestowed in cultivation. For pot 

 culture a portion of old peat mixed in the soU is an advantage, 

 but is not a necessity, as the variety will grow in any ordinary 

 light soil. It will grow equally well in the open border, being 

 perfectly hardy, and is one of the most attractive spring-flower- 

 ing bulbs that can be grown. It blooms freely in March or 

 April, and used in quantity no dwarf plant at its season has a 

 richer effect. Its height is less than G inches. This variety is 

 not yet common, but its intrinsic merits when better known 

 will demand its increase. It is not of recent introduction, 

 having been sparsely cultivated in English gardens for fifty 

 years. Allied to this is the still older I. Persica. This is an 

 exceedingly rich-coloured sweet-scented variety, adaptable for 

 in or outdoor decoration, and being more plentiful and cheap 

 than the foregoing should be largely grown. 



Then follows the dwarf-growing group of Crimean or Austrian 

 Iris. These are now offered in almost every colour, and make 

 charming permanent edgings in suitable places in the spring 

 garden or shrubbery. They are perfectly hardy, and will flourish 

 in ordinarily light draiued garden soil. 



The numerous varieties of Spanish Iris, which are of inter- 

 mediate growth yet later in blooming than the foregoing, by 

 their rich contrast of colour will add a tone of brightness to 

 the garden wherever they are cultivated. These vary from 

 pure white to rose, deepening to blue, purples, clarets, and 

 crimson, and afford a choice for cutting from as to be almost 

 indispensable for this purpose. They flower usually iu June, 

 and are fine in groups for the mixed border. 



A very charming variety for pots is the Peacock Iris (Vieus- 

 seuxia), its white ground and purple blotch being distinct and 

 effective. I. Susiana is a distinct, hardy, and remarkable 

 striped variety, growing to a height of 2 feet, while the curious 

 I. tuberosa (Snake's-head Iris) is singularly distinct and inter- 

 esting for pots. While we have not enumerated a tithe of the 

 many varieties of this fine hardy genus, not having even 

 mentioned the great Japanese type of I. Ksmpferi, suflioient 

 has been said to indicate the extreme variety of form, colour, 

 time of flowering, and decorative adaptability which the family 

 possesses. For varied and attractive qualities, for hardy con- 

 stitution and easy culture it is difficult to name any other 

 class of plants which equally embrace these advantages. They 

 are recommended to all who love flowers. There is no place 

 in a garden iu which one or other of the kinds will not 

 flourish. By the sides of streams or in woodland walks the 

 larger sorts are at home. For choice spots and favourite 

 nooks the smaller sorts will flourish and give pleasure, and 

 for mixed borders the Spanish varieties will give enjoyable 

 variety. For the greenhouse and conservatory a portion of 

 them are worthy, and fur indoor decoration as cut flowers all 

 are to be placed in the front ranks as particularly and pre- 

 eminently suitable. When once the richly varied collections of 

 Irises are brought under general and systematic cultivation a 

 foehug of surprise will become engendered that these beautiful 

 hardy plants have been so long neglected.— W. 



STANHOPEA. 



This is a singular and extremely beautiful genus of epiphytal 

 Orchids. The ps^udobulbs, as may be seen from the woodcut, 

 are furnished at the top with a solitary leaf, which is leathery 

 in texture and has prominent midribs. The flowers emit a 

 powerful odour ; a single spike of three or four flowers will 

 scent a very large house. 



There are more than three do7;en Bpecies and varieties in 

 cultivation, but none of them ore much valued by Orchid 

 fanciers. The flowers do not last more than a week in beauty, 



