152 



IRIS. 



the green one is found on the margin 

 of almost every piece of water. 



Iris pumila (Dwarf Flag). The best 

 known of the smaller Irises, though far 

 from being as common as it deserves ; 

 14 to 8 in. high. Flowers, in spring, 

 and frequently a second time in au- 

 tumn ; small, of a deep violet, one or 

 two on each stem ; external divisions 

 broad, oblong : internal divisions spa- 

 thulate, and wavy on the edges ; 

 Leaves, narrow. There are varieties 

 with light blue, whitish, and yellowish 



flowers. Southern Europe. Well 



adapted for edgings, rockwork, 

 and tufts on the margins, of borders, 

 and thrives best in rich, light, and well- 

 drained soil. The finest plants I have 

 seen were on very sandy, deep, well- 

 drained peat. Readily increased by 

 division. 



Iris reticulata (Early Bulbous /.) 

 One of the most singularly beautiful 

 of early flowers ; 4 to 6 in. high. 

 Flowers, in spring ; one on each stem, 

 deliciously fragrant, about 3 in. long ; 

 external divisions concave, oblong- 

 spathulate, of a rich violet-purple, 

 veined and reticulated with a darker 

 shade of the same colour, and a deep 

 and brilliant orange stain in the mid- 

 dle; internal divisions blunt, 2 in. 

 long, of a uniform violet hue, narrower 

 than the limb of the stigma. Leaves, 

 erect, slender, pointed, hollow, irregu- 

 larly four-angled, glaucous, 5 to 18 in. 

 long. Bulb, small, egg-shaped, brownish. 



Caucasus. In select sunny nooks 



in the rock-garden, in a deep and 

 thoroughly drained bed of rich and 

 light soil, or in the same descrip- 

 tion of soil on a bank or slightly raised 

 border, always in a sunny, warm posi- 

 tion. I have seen this plant thrive 

 when fully exposed, where the soil 

 was of a fine sandy character and well 

 drained, but recommend positions 

 which will encourage its early- 

 blooming character, and also, as it is 



scarce, prevent its suffering from the 

 destruction of its leaves by storms. 

 Separation of the bulbs, every second 

 or third year when the stems are 

 nearly withered. 



Iris ruthenica (Russian I.) A 

 very small kind, with grassy leaves ; 

 14 to 4 in. high. Flowers, in spring, 

 fragrant ; external divisions spathu- 

 late-obtuse, yellowish above, streaked 

 underneath with yellow, white, and 

 violet ; internal divisions linear- spa- 

 thulate, indented, bluish or violet, 

 half the length of the external divi- 

 sions ; limb of the stigma violet-blue. 

 Leaves, 8 to 13 in. long, lanceolate- 

 linear, some erect, others curving a 

 little, streaked, green and shining on 

 one side, glaucous on the other. South 



Russia and Siberia. Borders, in fine 



free moist soil. Division. 



Iris sambucina (Eider-scented I.) 

 A vigorous and rather tall kind, 14 to 

 34 ft. high. Flowers, in summer ; large, 

 with the odour of Elder-flowers ; ex- 

 ternal divisions spathulate-oblong, 

 rounded and somewhat jagged above, 

 yellow, with brown or violet rays and 

 veins, and a dense bright yellow beard ; 

 internal divisions elliptical- oblong, 

 very obtuse, wavy, of a buff yellow 

 tinged with violet, turned back under- 

 neath. Leaves, curving, glaucous. 



Native of South Europe. Mixed 



borders or beds, margins of shrub- 

 beries, or naturalization, in any rich 

 soil. Division. 



Iris sibirica (Siberian /.) A tall 

 kind with slender leaves ; 1 1 to nearly 3 

 ft. high. Flowers, in summer ; external 

 divisions 2 in.long,spathulate-obovate; 

 limb rather wavy, variegated with 

 white and blue, veined with violet; 

 claw of abrownish yellow streaked with 

 violet, having a wide white band in 

 the middle ; internal divisions lanceo- 

 late-oblong, nearly blunt, entire, violet- 

 blue, with a whitish claw veined with 

 violet; limb of the stigma streaked 



