XXIV 



ON IRISES 



FEW of the popular flowers of our gardens give us such 

 diversity of growth and such richly painted flowers as 

 the Iris. Fewer still include in their ranks species differing 

 so greatly in their habitat, tastes, and season of blooming. 

 Its remarkable beauty makes the Iris one of the finest 

 of garden plants, and its catholicity gives it exceptional 

 interest. 



Flower-lovers of all degrees should make the Iris one 

 of their principal plants. Considered collectively, it has 

 almost every merit which they could ask for in a garden 

 plant. It is hardy (except in the case of one or two 

 small sections, to which special reference shall be made), 

 and so may pass the whole of its life in the open air. 



Soil. It is not particular as to soil. Like most plants, 

 it loves a deep, fertile loam, but it will thrive either in 

 heavy or light land. This more particularly applies, as 

 we shall see presently, to the magnificent " Flag " Irises, 

 which give such beauty and character to the border in 

 May and June. But most of the Irises will succeed in 

 the ordinary soil of gardens to which good garden 

 culture (deep digging and manuring) has been given. 



A Good Town Plant. It is almost as good in town as 

 in country gardens when the soil is treated liberally. 

 This naturally attracts suburban gardeners, who may be 



advised to make the Iris one of their principal plants. 



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