IRISES. 155 



ones, termed " falls/' Though in many cases the flowers 

 are large this arrangement of the corolla prevents any 

 suspicion of heaviness. With respect to colours, the 

 Irises embrace a wider range than the great majority 

 of hardy flowers. Almost every hue is represented in 

 them, and in many cases the combination of colours 

 is very beautiful. Several species are fragrant. 



The root system of the Irises differs. Some of the 

 small kinds have rhizomes, a kind of thickened root or 

 gnarled tuber, like the great German Irises ; others are 

 purely bulbous, as in the case of the cheap but pretty 

 English and Spanish sections. The majority thrive 

 in ordinary garden soil, provided it is not wet in winter. 

 A sandy loam suits them admirably. A few like a 

 moist peaty soil. The hardy bulbous Irises are best 

 bought and planted early in autumn, the half-hardy 

 ones in December, the rhizomatous kinds any time 

 between autumn and spring. They are easily pro- 

 pagated by division at those periods. Seed of several 

 good kinds is procurable, and may be sown in spring or 

 summer, in the former case under glass, in the latter 

 out of doors. The cushion Irises are better for light 

 protection in winter. 



The following are a few of the best Irises for the 

 rockery, with notes on such special treatment as they 

 require. 



Bakeriana. A charming little bulbous species, only 

 growing about six inches high, blooming in winter, 

 when it produces flowers the standards of which are 

 blue and the falls white, with purple spots. It is 

 agreeably scented. 



