in.] RHIZOMATOUSFLAG OR GERMAN 147 



and they should have a rather sheltered position ; a 

 thin layer of half-decayed leaves and cocoanut-fibre 

 is a desirable protection during the severe winter 

 months. 



The Rhizomatous Irises, with creeping stems, are 

 generally known as the Flag, sometimes as the German 

 Iris ; they are very numerous, and grow in any good 

 garden soil, preferring a turfy loam. These non-bulbous 

 sorts vary a good deal as regards their love of moisture. 

 The condition that answers for the majority is comparative 

 dryness in winter, and abundance of water in summer; 

 unluckily, this is the reverse of what they usually get. 

 Amongst them the flowering season extends over the 

 greater part of the year. 



Stylosa (Algerian Winter- I.) flowers in mid-winter. 

 Its blooms are almost hidden away in its grassy foliage, 

 its silky, fragrant, sky-blue flowers are quite equal to 

 many an orchid. It likes a light, warm soil, on a 

 well-drained, raised, sheltered border, and to be almost 

 smothered with stones. 



Pumila (Dwarf Flag), the best of the dwarf flags, 

 growing 4 to 8 inches, with deep violet flowers. It 

 is well to plant in large masses, so as to form sheets 

 of bright colour. 



Ochroleuca (Yellow-banded I.) is one of the tallest 

 of the flags, with spikes often 6 feet high. Its large 

 flowers and luxuriant foliage make it very effective in 

 a mixed border. 



