THE IRIS AND ITS CULTURE. 19 



no form of dwarf iris with as great adaptability of uses as this 

 either for naturahzing or for varied garden usage. 



Commonly confounded with Iris pumila is a form with flowers 

 borne singly on the stalk, and with somewhat broader leaves. This 

 is Iris Chamaeiris, or its variety Olhiensis or Italica. The type 

 bears yellow flowers with the falls veined with purple. 



x\nother small and showy dwarf species, known as Iris flavissivia 

 or Bloudovii, a native of Siberia, bears showy pure yellow flowers. 

 While there are a number of other dwarf species they have no par- 

 ticular horticultural merit over these. 



Intermediate between these dwarf irises and the taller growing 

 German iris has appeared a new race, wdthin a few years, under 

 the name of Alpine iris, these being produced by Mr. W. J. Caparne 

 of Rohais, Guernsey. These are the result of crossing many of the 

 dwarf species with taller growing kinds; the progeny vary in stature 

 and are claimed to give flowers over a period of six to nine months. 

 Probably, however, this refers to a collection of the hybrids rather 

 than any single variety. Undoubtedly they have much of interest, 

 and trial will eventually prove such merit and distinction as they may 

 possess. 



For perfect hardihood, freedom of bloom, and range of color we 

 can, however, with the dwarf and taller growing German irises 

 feel quite independent of the more difficult forms. The German 

 iris, as popularly known, varies in groAAih in the varied forms from 

 fifteen to forty inches. The earlier varieties commence blooming 

 in early May, and by a careful selection of kinds it is possible to 

 keep up a succession of flowers until late June. 



jNIany species are responsible for the beauty of the class, and their 

 crossing and selection have confused their origin. Iris variegata 

 shows its influence in the prevailing yellow color of the standards 

 of the following varieties, with the rather remarkable exception of 

 the Innocenza, a very fine form, pure white throughout. Other 

 popular and good named kinds are Beaconsfield, standards yellow, 

 falls crimson, edged with primrose; Gracchus, standards yellow, 

 falls crimson reticulated with white; Maori King, standards yellow, 

 falls rich velvety crimson margined with gold; Sans Souci, stand- 

 ards yellow, falls yellow reticulated with crimson brown; and 

 Regina, standards yellow, falls white conspicuously veined lilac 

 and edged with primrose yellow. 



