6l2 ISOPYRUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



IXIA. 



a loose, friable, sandy soil, which, how- 

 ever, should not be too poor, for it repays 

 feeding with thoroughly rotten leaf-mould 

 or manure. Sun it must have, but as its 

 slender stalks suffer from winds it should 

 have shelter without shade. The golden 

 rule of not meddling over-much applies 

 distinctly to the Spanish Iris, as the new 

 roots begin to shoot out almost before the 

 old stalk has withered, and the bulb must 

 not be kept out of the ground. Plant, 

 then, the Spanish Iris in clumps on some 

 rich, loose, friable plot, where their bright 

 colour may be shown to advantage, and 

 let them stay there year after year until 



compact, the flowers \ in. across, star- 

 shaped, and of a pale blue, continuing a 

 long time, even till cut off by frosts. If 

 preserved in a frame during winter, after 

 the manner of bedding Lobelias, it is 

 perennial, and may be propagated in spring 

 by cuttings. New Holland. 



IXIA. Charming South African bulbs, 

 slender and elegant in growth, and 

 brilliant in flower. They are not grown 

 much because some are tender and 

 require glass protection. For culture 

 outdoors, choose a light loamy soil, 

 thoroughly drained, and with a due south 

 aspect ; if backed by a wall or a green- 



Spanish Iris (I. xiphium). 



the dwindling foliage tells you that they 

 have exhausted their soil. The beautiful 

 varieties of Spanish Iris are well worth a 

 place in the reserve garden for supplying 

 cut flowers. 



ISOPYRUM. A graceful little plant 

 allied to the Meadow Rues, but /. thalic- 

 troides has prettier white flowers, and is 

 valuable for its Maiden-hair Fern-like 

 foliage. It is well suited for the rock- 

 garden, and for the front edge of the mixed 

 border, is hardy, and easy to grow on any 

 soil. Division or seed. Europe. Ranun- 

 culacece. 



ISOTOMA. 7. axillaris is a showy 

 half-hardy plant, resembling some of the 

 dwarfer Lobelias, its growth dense and 



house so much the better. Plant from 

 September to January, 3 to 4 in. deep, 

 and i to 3 in. apart. As the early plant- 

 ings make foliage during the autumn, it is 

 necessary to give protection during severe 

 frost, and this may be best accomplished 

 by hooping the beds over and covering 

 when necessary with mats ; or if tiffany is 

 used it may be allowed to remain till the 

 danger of severe frosts has ceased. The 

 December and January plantings require 

 no protection in winter, but as they will 

 flower later in the summer than the early 

 plantings, an aspect where the sun's rays 

 are somewhat broken will prolong the 

 blooming period. On stiff soil, or on 

 soils that lie rather wet in winter, the 



