62 THE NEW GARDENING 



and grassy leaves ; one of the great charms of this small 

 but most desirable Iris is the delicious scent, which re- 

 minds one of ripe Apricots. Reticulata is perhaps too 

 well known to need description or praise, but it may be 

 well to mention that although the plant is hardy it is well 

 to treat it as though it were not, because it blooms so 

 early that the flowers are liable to be injured by frost, 

 and on that account it should have shelter. The same 

 remark applies to histrioides, w r hich is even earlier. 

 Connoisseurs might note the variety of the latter called 

 major, which is not only larger but of a deeper shade 

 of blue ; the flowers are lined with yellow and rayed with 

 white. Varieties of sibirica are forthcoming, and of these 

 I may mention a good white called Snow Queen, and a 

 fine blue called Blue King. The Siberian Iris is an easily 

 grown and very useful plant, blooming in June. I do 

 not find it at all fastidious as to soil, but on rich, moist, 

 holding ground it has more vigour than on thin, light, dry 

 soil. The height may be expected to range from two 

 to three feet, according to the nature of the soil. The 

 flag-leaved rhizome-rooted Irises have a very numerous 

 following. A fine variety of Albicans called Princess of 

 Wales, with blush-coloured flowers, is worth noting ; and 

 splendid modern " Flags," which the admirer of this 

 section would do well to acquire, are King of Iris, Black 

 Prince and Maori King. There is a charming rose- 

 coloured form of pallida called Queen of May, and this 

 will make a good companion for that most beautiful of 

 all the Flag Irises, pallida dalmatica; whose exquisite, 

 shimmering, light lavender flowers make it the favourite 

 of all beholders. Both the Spanish and English Irises, 

 which are bulbous, are growing in favour, as is shown 

 by the brisk interest in new varieties. Of the newer 

 Spanish yellows Dr. Kuyper and La Citroniere are good, 



