"GERMAN" IRISES 35 



matter of fact, very few Irises are found wild in Germany, 

 and those that are natives of that country are not the 

 parents of the plants now known by the name. 



The explanation lies in the fact that, roughly speaking, 

 all the Irises comprised under this title resemble, in growth 

 and shape, the common purple flag, of which the botanical 

 name is I. germanica. Even as applied to this plant, the 

 name is not particularly appropriate, for no certain instance 

 is known of the plant growing wild anywhere in Germany, 

 while forms of it extend from Spain to Nepal. Moreover, 

 its various forms appear to have been long in cultivation, and 

 it is impossible to say that the plant is growing where no 

 human agency is likely ever to have placed it. 



For garden purposes, " German " Irises are usually 

 divided under such names as germanicae, pallidae, 

 variegatae, &c., according as they most closely resemble 

 one or other of certain supposed wild species. Without 

 entering into the botanical details of these various species, 

 it may be useful to give here a list, under the usual 

 headings, of the most effective garden forms. Endless 

 varieties are in existence, and the number is constantly 

 increasing, though a new name does not always mean a 

 new Iris. 



The subject of the ultimate parentage of this group of 

 plants is very difficult, and though the method of solution 

 that suggests itself, namely, breeding experiments, is 

 obvious enough, it is unfortunately almost impossible 

 in England, owing to the fact that most of the plants 

 which appear to be wild, and the possible parents of 

 which we are in search, prove in our gardens to be almost 

 invariably sterile. Thus the so-called type of /. germanica 



