IRISES. 157 



veined with brown. Prefers a sunny spot and sandy 

 loam. 



Lortetii. A cushion species, growing a foot high, with 

 creamy white flowers in spring. Likes the same treat- 

 ment as the preceding. 



Orchioides. A bulbous Iris, with yellow flowers in 

 April. Height about nine inches. It is hardy and 

 not fastidious as to site or soil. 



Pavonia. The Peacock Iris, now called Morcea 

 Pavonia by the botanists. It is an exquisite little gem, 

 producing small white flowers, each petal with a blue 

 spot. Height about a foot. It is not quite hardy, and 

 must have a warm, sheltered spot with sandy loam if 

 grown out of doors. There is a yellow variety called 

 lutea. 



Persica. The charming Persian Iris only grows a 

 few inches high, and blooms in winter. The flowers 

 are Hght blue, marked with purple and orange. It is 

 fragrant. There is a precious variety of this called 

 Heldreichii, lavender coloured, the falls dark, veined 

 with w^hite and crested with yellow ; and a deep rose 

 form called purpurea. Heldreichii should have a very 

 warm, sheltered place. 



Pumila. A small flag Iris from the Crimea, hardy, 

 and not particular as to soil. It only grows a few inches 

 high. It bears violet flowers, with a white beard, in 

 spring. There are several varieties, such as white (alha) 

 dark purple (atrocaerulea), sky blue (caelestis), and 

 yellow (lutescens). The plants sometimes bloom in 

 autumn. 



Reticulata. Perhaps the most popular of all the 



