MAKE "THE CITY BEAUTIFUL" 21 



CLASSIFICATION 



The name "German" Iris has been given to a group of various 

 bearded species more or less resembling each other in foliage, 

 shape of flower, and, generally, in root system. This name, 

 however, seems to be a misnomer, for not one of the species in- 

 cluded in the group has ever been known to be native to Germany. 



Sometimes the dwarf bearded Irises are included under the 

 head of German Iris, but it is only the taller bearded species 

 which are here considered. 



Generally it is the hybrid varieties of these tall growing species, 

 which are very numerous, which are offered by plantsmen. Most 

 of the varieties of each species are characterized by the same 

 general color-scheme, but in some there is a very marked devia- 

 tion from it. The most extensive of these species', and the typical 

 characteristics of the most of the varieties of each, are : 



Germanica (of Germany) Section The type of the group. Flower 

 early (May) and abudantly. Generally shades of blue or 

 purple. 



Amoena (pleasing) Section Standards of most varieties white; 

 falls usually of some shade of blue or violet, but frequently 

 with more or less white. 



Neglecta (neglected) Section Standards usually range from lav- 

 ender to purple ; falls of a darker shade. 



Pallida (pale) Section Most varieties very tall, strong growers; 

 wide foliage; flowers of the largest. Very handsome shades, 

 both light and dark, of blue, lavender and purple, and num- 

 erous approaches to pink and to red. 



Plicata (pleated) Section Syn. Aphylla (leafless.) Standards and 

 falls have a beautiful colored frill-like margin on a white 

 ground. 



Squalens (daubed) Section Standards of clouded shades of cop- 

 per, bronze and fawn; falls darker, of some shade of purple 

 or brown-crimson. 



Variegata (variegated) Section Standards of various shades of 

 yellow; falls usually brownish. 



Among the principal of the less extensive species, a dozen or 

 so in number, are the following: 



