IRIS. 127 



The species and varieties of the Iris are almost without end ; 

 most of them tuberous-rooted ; of easy culture and propagation, 

 by division of the roots ; suitable for the border, most of them 

 being hardy. I shall note such as have come under my 

 observation. 



Iris pumila, Dwarf Iris, is from three to six inches 

 high, with rich purple flowers, early in May. 



L cristata, Crested Iris, is another dwarf variety, of 

 the same height of the last, with elegant, variegated, light-blue, 

 crested flowers, in May ; with creeping roots ; a very desirable 

 species. 



L Jlorentina, Florentine Iris, has large white flowers, 

 in May and June ; two feet high. 



/. germanica, German Iris, is the common Fleur-de- 

 luce of the gardens well known to all. Flowers large, blue 

 and purple ; two feet high ; May and June ; similar to the last 

 in size and habits. 



/. pallida. Pale Turkey Iris. A very fine species, with 

 straw-colored flowers, veined with brown. One and a half 

 foot high ; in June. The stems are many-flowered, and stand 

 above the leaves. 



I. variegata, Variegated Iris, is a very delicate and 

 elegant species. The flowers bluish-white, elegantly feathered 

 with blue ; in June ; stem many-flowered, two feet high. 



J. sambuciarui. Elder-scented Iris. A very beautiful 

 species, with brilliant, pale-blue, variegated flowers, on stems, 

 many-flowered, four feet high, standing above the foliage, 

 which is long and narrow, or more grass-like than the common 

 sorts. The roots of it are of a more fibrous character than 

 most of the family, and mat together so hard that they are 

 with difficulty separated. A clump of this, with its numerous 

 rich flowers rising above their graceful foliage, makes as much 

 show as any other plant of its season. The last of June. 



L pscud-acorus, The Yellow-water Iris of England, has 

 handsome yellow flowers, the last of June, three feet high. 



J. ccelestina. Sky-blue Iris. This is a magnificent plant, 



