CHAPTER XXIV 

 Iris 



THE Irises (natural order Iridaceae) are among the 

 most beautiful of hardy flowers, and the species 

 and varieties are innumerable. Most of them are 

 too large for the rock garden. Amongst the rhizo- 

 matous kinds, however those having a rootstock like 

 the common Purple Flag Iris there are a few charm- 

 ing little plants that may be used with advantage, 

 whilst many of the bulbous sorts, like I. reticulata 

 (the Golden-netted Iris), make lovely groups of colour 

 in early spring. The Irises of the former group are 

 not difficult to grow, they flourish well in sunny positions 

 if planted in loamy, well-drained soil. They are 

 easy to increase by means of division, some just after 

 flowering, others during the spring. The bulbous kinds 

 may be planted in groups amongst carpeting plants, 

 like the Mossy Saxifrages, or Aubrietias, that are not 

 too thick ; they will furnish backgrounds of green for 

 these welcome flowers of spring. If there is a bog in 

 the rock garden such kinds as the Japanese Flag (I. 

 Kaempferi) will make a gorgeous display, and the many 

 forms of the Siberian Iris (I. sibirica) are suitable for 

 this position. For the rock garden the following is a 

 selection of the choicest dwarf kinds : 



147 



