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very long, narrow perianth tube, is more graceful in form than 

 that of I. xiphium, less formal and rigid, having a more pleasing 

 sweep of outline ; and the rich golden colour, together with a 

 distinct fragrance, which is absent or extremely rare in the other 

 members of the group, renders it a most delightful plant. It 

 has, moreover, a wider geographical distribution than have its 

 fellows ; it is not only 

 found in Southern 

 Spain and in Northern 

 Africa (Algiers and 

 Morocco), but stretches 

 away through Sicily 

 to Italy, occurring in 

 the Riviera. A lemon- 

 coloured variety from 

 Africa is in cultivation, 

 under the name var. 

 numidica, but other- 

 wise this species varies 

 very little. 



Turning now to the 



cultivation of this Xiphium group of 

 Irises, the first thing to note is the con- 

 trast between the needs of I. xiphium, 

 the Spanish Iris, and I. xiphioides, the 

 English Iris. Both profit, as regards 

 vigour of bloom, by good exposure to 

 sunshine ; but while the Spanish Iris 

 delights in a dry spot, the English Iris 

 insists on an adequate supply of mois- 

 ture at its roots in summer. Hence, 

 as a rule, where the one thrives the 

 other fails. In my own dry garden, for FJQ 1? _ IRIS BoisgIERI 

 instance, I find no difficulty at all with 



the Spanish Iris ; the bulbs multiply rapidly and bloom freely, 

 and seedlings grow apace. Provided that the plants are 

 not encroached upon by the roots of too vigorous neighbouring 

 perennials, or smothered by too luxurious annuals (for these, 

 and indeed all bulbous Irises, make but a poor fight in the 

 struggle for existence), they will flourish in the same spot for 



