86 BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS 



some foliage (evergreen in some classes), beautiful colour markings, 

 perfume by everything that makes a plant valued by lovers of 

 flowers. Attention is arrested in the first place by the beautiful 

 blooms of the bolder forms ; it is retained, and developed into a 

 lasting affection, by the dainty loveliness of the smaller kinds. 



We cannot think of hardy flower gardening without thinking 

 of Irises. They stand forth as among the most valuable of 

 border flowers. We can specialise them if we like, and they are 

 at least as well worthy of it as Dahlias and Carnations. If we do 

 we shall find them as full of interest as they are of beauty. Some 

 of the exquisite gems of the bulbous and cushion sections will 

 require a little "mothering" at times, others are as hardy as 

 Savoys. The "Flag" class will grow almost anywhere. If not 

 so fine in bloom on a dry, hot, town bank, amid impure air, as 

 in the deep, cool clay of a country garden, they at least appear 

 quite as happy. The Japanese section, which is known as Kaemp- 

 feri and laevigata (the latter is the name now used by botanists, 

 although tradesmen still cling to the former), has opposite tastes. 

 It never does itself real justice except in moist, cool places. It 

 loves the humid surroundings of a pond side. When quite at 

 home by water it makes huge clumps, and throws up stems a 

 yard high, surmounted by flowers as large as breakfast plates, 

 gloriously painted with rich and beautiful colours. We shall find 

 exquisite beauty among the bulbous Irises, most of which are 

 lowly growers ; indeed, if we had no other class but this the genus 

 would still be valuable. Several are winter bloomers, and that in 

 itself is a powerful recommendation. To have flowers so lovely as 

 those with the Aconites and Snowdrops is something for which to 

 be grateful. Yes, an Iris collection, including the best representa- 

 tives of the most valuable classes, would be indeed a feast of 

 interest and pleasure. 



We may, however, get immense gratification from Irises without 

 specialising, merely cultivating them as border flowers. The Flag 



