AN IRIS GARDEN 



wherever the soil is fairly dry and the location sunny. 

 For this group of irises, unlike the Japanese, is not 

 dependent on excessive moisture. They are the ones 

 that are seen in most gardens, outlining paths and 

 filling in broad spaces in borders. After their bloom 

 is past, their foliage is still attractive and very service- 

 able to define lines. 



Among the Spanish irises, there are many lovely 

 forms of intricacy and exquisite colors. They are 

 early comers, unfolding in May before the majority 

 of German irises. They stand about two feet high 

 and bear fragrant flowers of quaint delicacy suggestive 

 of orchids. In white, blue, yellow, or golden bronze 

 they charm the eye, being apt to hold to one color 

 rather than to run into two or more. 



Spanish irises should be planted in late August, or 

 early September, that they may make a strong leaf 

 growth before the winter. The question of their har- 

 diness has not been definitely settled to their advan- 

 tage; and it is therefore a wise precaution, if they are 

 planted in a cold, exposed position, to cover them with 

 about four inches of straw or litter in the cool days 

 of November. As soon as their bloom has matured, 

 they die down completely. 



These irises are not costly luxuries. They rank 

 with crocus corms in regard to cheapness. But in 

 appearance they are of the high world. One owner 

 of a beautiful garden told me that he cared for them 

 more than any other flowers. The varieties are 

 almost innumerable. They seed themselves freely, 

 and scientific gardeners have been rewarded for rais- 



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