75- Iris germanica, vars. (Continued) 



clumps, not too far forward, and snip the leaves with scissors as they 

 turn brown. 



Perfectly hardy perennials of easiest culture in any well-drained garden 

 soil. Will grow in very dry locations, in sun or partial shade, but do best 

 in a rich, well-drained soil with full exposure to the sun. The root is a 

 horizontal surface-growing rhizome which should be planted flat and only 

 covered to a depth of half its diameter. Is helped by fertilizing in the fall 

 with stable manure which must be raked oflT in the spring. Increases 

 rapidly and should be divided and replanted every two or three years. 

 This may be done in the fall or spring, though by far the best time for 

 transplanting is immediately after the blooming season. 



Propagate by division of rhizomes. 



The plants roughly classed as German Iris are almost all hybrids of 

 various species and are ver>' numerous. These horticultural varieties 

 may be divided into ten or twelve fairly distinct groups. Among the 

 most popular of the German Iris and allied groups are: 



I. florentina: 



The earliest type, blooming in May, smaller than the average plant 

 though with large flowers, preferring half-shade; fragrant, with a fragrant 

 root-stock (orris-root). Standards pure white, falls white, slightly tinged 

 with lavender. 



Var. alba. Similar to the type, with pearly-white flowers. 



I. FLAVHSCENS: 



Standards soft creamy-yellow, falls pale cream color, fragrant. 



I. interregna: 



Crosses between /. germanica and /. pumila. Rather dwarf in habit, 

 with flower stems about eighteen inches high and foliage lower. Foliage 

 good throughout the season. Blooming between /. florentina and 

 /. germanica. 



Var. Ingehorg. Very large flowers, standards and falls pure white. 

 Var. Walhalla. Standards rosy-lavender, falls claret-red. 



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