MAKE "THE CITY BEAUTIFUL" 23 



refer to widely different varieties, the first referring' to a variety 

 in the germanica section, which is one of the earliest bloomers, 

 and the other to a variety in the neglecta section, which is one 

 of the very latest to bloom. Moreover, some species not only 

 bloom earlier than some others but the foliage of some species 

 remains green for a much longer period than that of some others, 

 a matter that will be referred to further on under the heads 

 "Foliage" and "What to Plant." Hence Iris catalogs are most 

 helpful \vhen they give not only a description of the flowers of 

 the varieties therein listed, but also the species to which they 

 severally belong. 



SOME STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS 



Rhizome All the so-called German Irises are rhizomatous, 

 that is, having a creeping rhizome or fleshy root-stock ' which 

 grows just beneath the surface of the ground and in time becomes 

 so thickened that it extends above the surface. 



"And the coarse bulbs of Iris-flowers he found 

 Knotted in clumps under the spongy ground." 

 Shelley: Marenghi. 



When the rhizome protrudes it should be allowed to remain 

 uncovered, for it delights in full exposure to the sun. The rhi- 

 zome branches and forms joints of annual growths of three or 

 four inches in length, and each growing point is called a "toe." 

 Rootlets, usually growing from the underside and downwards, 

 furnish the nourishment from the ground, largely through root 

 hairs which appear along the rootlets but not to any great extent 

 until the rootlets have grown their full length. 



Foliage The foliage of all the varieties is highly decorative. 

 The strong, erect or gracefully drooping leaves are broad and 

 sword-like. 



Living swords, innocent of blood, 

 Never stained with the crimson flood. 



