Vitdlina and the deep Parisian Telloiv may be used, or the Grouping 

 wonderful copper pinks of Hobbema and Ingles combe Pink, of Irises 

 which look magnificent grouped with real dark purple Iris. 



But we must turn from the Tulips to some of the beautiful 

 groups of Irises combined with other flowers, to be seen at this 

 time in borders and wild gardens. Irises form a fine contrast 

 with the pinks or salmon reds of the Tree Peonies, or with single 

 or double Gorse ; or they may be grouped between Broom which 

 will shower white sprays above the purple, and the large white 

 Centaurea. Many smaller plants could be added to such a 

 group, patches of Forget-me-not for instance, both the yellow 

 and the orange Trollius, and Ranunculus aconitifolius, which is 

 such a feature of Alpine meadows, and its double form, Fair 

 Maids of France. 



Between these Irises, of which I have been speaking, and 

 the later mauve varieties, come such sorts as ensata, longipetala, 

 and missouriensis, all with grassy foliage. The flowers are smaller 

 than the Iris germanica type, but their narrow petals, though not 

 so effective, are very charming. The falls are white, veined with 

 mauve or purple, and the standards are soft mauve. In May 

 also opens the wonderful new hybrid Regclio-cyclus Iris, a cross 

 between the Regelia and Oncocyclus varieties. These hybrids 

 are the type of Susiana, but instead of imitating its sombre hue 

 the petals are purple, violet, silver grey, or cream, pencilled with 

 dark veins. They are remarkably beautiful, and are said to 

 be hardy, but probably, like Susiana, they suffer from heavy 

 storms of rain or severe cold in the spring, and need a bit of 

 glass overhead as a protection. They are treasures more 

 suited to some sheltered corner, or the rock garden, than the 

 borders. 



'33 



