IRIS 



(From the Greek irii, a rainbow) 

 Iridic Id 



163. iris pumila (/. gracilis) 

 English Name: Dwarf iris. 



EUROPE MID-APRIL TO LATE MAY 



SINGLE Iris flowers, very large for the plant, typically deep purple 

 but varying in the hybrid vars. from azure-blue to purple and from 

 white to lemon-yellow, carried singly on ver\' short erect stems from 

 four to nine inches high. 



Leaves stiff and sword 

 shaped, two to four in- 

 ches long, bluish green 

 and persistent. Excel- 

 lent for the rock garden 

 or for edging the herba- 

 ceous border, the rich, 

 showy flowers being 

 among the fir^t to bloom 

 in the spring, and though 

 the blossoms are short- 

 lived, the foliage is 

 efi^ective throughout the 

 summer. Good for plant- 

 ing in dry places. The 

 plants spread rapidly by 

 creeping rhizomes and 

 soon form large patches. 



A perfectly hardy 

 perennial of easiest cul- 

 ture in any garden soil, in 

 sun or partial shade. 



Propagate by division. 



•:f^>'*«swr 



133 



