Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 



61 



divided into bulbous and rhizomatous groups, the latter including the 

 Japanese Iris, I. Icuvigata or Kcempferi (fig. 211), and also the gorgeous- 

 flowered " Cushion " or " Oncocyclus " Irises. The reader will find full 

 botanical and cultural details of these charming Irises either in the Prac- 

 tical Guide to Garden Plants or in The Bulb Book (J. Weathers). Special 

 attention, however, may be called to Iris Susiana (fig. 212), a magnificent 

 species rather difficult to grow; and to the English Irises (fig. 213), which 

 are similar to the Spanish Irises, and might very well become more popular 

 for cutting purposes amongst market growers. 



Isopyrum thalictroides. A charming plant, 9-15 in. high, with 

 Maidenhair-like leaves and small white flowers in April and May. It is 

 easily grown and raised from seeds, and by division. 



Ixia. This is a genus of bulbous plants, natives of South Africa, with 

 fibrous-coated corms, and long spikes of lovely flowers excellent for cutting 

 purposes. Unfortunately they can only be grown in the open air in the 

 mildest parts of the kingdom, but market growers in the south and west of 

 England, and in most parts of Ireland, should be able to reap fair results 

 from their growth. There are several fine species, of which crateroides or 

 speciosa, with brilliant crimson flowers, and viridiflora, with deep sea- 

 green flowers with a black 

 blotch in the centre, are the 

 most noteworthy. The hybrid 

 forms, however, are somewhat 

 hardier, and have many charm- 

 ing shades of colour from white 

 to pink, cerise, orange yellow, 

 magenta purple, &c. Bulbs or 

 corms can be bought wholesale 

 for 20s. to 70s. per 1000 accord- 

 ing to variety, but growers' 

 mixtures (good enough for mar- 

 ket work) are obtainable for 

 about 5s. per 1000 bulbs. 



Kaulfussia amelloides. A 

 pretty, hairy, South African 

 hardy or half-hardy annual, 

 with deep-blue daisy-like flower 

 heads having a yellow centre. 

 There are numerous forms, 

 having flowers of white, rose, 

 carmine, violet, &c. 



Kniphofia. Still popularly 

 known under the old name of 

 Tritoma, this genus contains 



several species of very ornamental herbaceous perennials. The trade done 

 in them is, however, almost entirely confined to the nurseryman, under 



Fig. 214. Kniphofia maxima (grandix) 



