148 ROGK GARDENING FOR AMATEURS 



RHIZOMATOUS IRISES 



/. arenaria. Only a few inches high, forming tufts 

 of narrow leaves, and bearing in May bright yellow flowers, 

 with purplish-brown markings on the lower petals. It 

 comes from Eastern Europe. 



/. Chamaeiris. This dwarf plant, native of Southern 

 Europe, and its various forms, are excellent for the rock 

 garden, growing only six inches or so high. The type 

 has beautiful flowers, with bright yellow standards, and 

 pale primrose-coloured falls. Besides this there are several 

 varieties with white (var. alba), deep yellow (aurea), 

 purple (var. italica), and many others. They bloom in 

 April. 



/. cristata is a pretty plant from North America, 

 with exquisite flowers of azure blue and lilac, striped 

 with gold. Its season is April and May. 



/. graminea, from Central and Southern Europe, is 

 a stronger growing plant, with long, narrow leaves, and 

 fragrant purple flowers in May. 



/. humilis has very dwarf evergreen foliage, and 

 bright lilac flowers among the leaves in summer. It is 

 native of Russia. 



/. lacustris. One of the most dwarf of all the Irises, 

 resembling Iris cristata, with flowers that are pale lilac 

 and white, with a yellow throat. It has a long flowering 

 period, and likes a half-shady spot in gritty loam. 



/. pumila. This species (native of Asia Minor and 

 Eastern Europe) and its numerous varieties are of great 



