Planting 1 77 



If the plants are small, and a mass effect as soon 

 as possible is wanted, they can be planted a foot apart 

 each way (except in the case of such large growing 

 varieties as pallida Dalmatica, which should be spaced 

 more generously) and they will soon completely oc- 

 cupy the ground. Ordinarily, however, a greater 

 distance will be found more desirable, as close planting 

 will, in a year or two, result in such crowding as will 

 make transplanting necessary. Irises flower most pro- 

 fusely when well established, and they increase quite 

 rapidly, and it is therefore advisable to set the plants 

 at such a distance apart that division and resetting 

 will not be necessary for a few years at least two 

 or, better still, three feet apart. 



Indulge their width, and add a roomy space, 



That their extremest lines may scarce embrace; 



Nor this alone to indulge a vain delight, 



And make a pleasing prospect for the sight: 



But, for the ground itself, this only way, 



Can equal vigor to the plants convey, 



Which crowded, want the room their branches to display. 



Virgil: Georgic II (Dryden's tr.). 



The vacant spaces, until required by the Irises 

 themselves, can be utilized with annuals, and for this 

 purpose nothing is better than the gladiolus, which 

 has the same sword-like leaves and will be in bloom 

 after all the Irises are done. The gladiolus itself will 

 look all the better in such setting because of its own 

 sparse foliage. Care should be taken not to shade the 



