BORDER IRISES 169 



and dry position if it is to produce its remarkable blos- 

 soms in any profusion." 



Preeminent among the moisture lovers is the great 

 Japanese Iris, I. laevigata or Kaempferi, which is one of 

 the finest hardy plants we have but which does not do as 

 well as some of the others of its class in the dry borders 

 of the garden. Indeed in its chosen place by the water- 

 side it is so truly magnificent it seems a pity to be 

 satisfied with it grown under any other conditions. In 

 very deep, rich soil, freely watered especially while the 

 buds are forming, one may realize much beauty but may 

 not command the same luxuriance of growth and splen- 

 did spread of blossom that one is graciously vouchsafed 

 in a naturally moist situation. The huge blossoms of 

 the Japanese Iris frequently measure six inches across 

 and are most wonderful in colour and texture. Mr. 

 Irwin Lynch in his valuable "Book of the Iris" gives 

 the following as good varieties: 



Alexander von Humboldt, pure white. 



Chyia, lilac and white. 



Her Majesty, violet, speckled white. 



Keiko, blush suffused and speckled rose. 



Lady Scott Monorief, white with rose halo. 



Netta, white, edged rose-pink. 



Ozaka, pale sky-blue passing to white with golden 

 blotch. 



The length of their blossoming period may be quite 

 appreciably lengthened by planting some in partial 



