June i, 1892.] 



Garden and Forest. 



259 



smaller and broader, and it has not the odor possessed by the 

 other. As this is very much more common, it might be re- 

 garded as the typical form, more especially because, if crosses 

 are obtained between the generally accepted type and Krelagei, 

 the seedlings will chieHy follow the characteristics of the latter. 

 I. reticulata purpurea is more handsome than the variety Kre- 

 lagei, and there is another small variety of this group called 

 Cyanea. I. Sophroniensis, an early Howering species, I. Dan- 

 fordiie, with which I. Bornmulleri is synonymous, are also 

 allied to I. reticulata, as is I. Vartani, an Iris growing in the 

 neighborhood of Nazareth, and flowering in October and No- 

 vember. I. Histrio, generally accepted as a different species, 

 is regarded as merely a variety of I. reticulata. The Howers 

 are not of a uniform color, but are blotched with lilac on a 

 paler ground. A variety called Histrioides, although differing 

 in several respects from I. Histrio, is certainly of the same spe- 

 cies as that variety, while there can be no doubt about its being 

 a member of the reticulata group. An Iris very like I. reticu- 

 lata, with similar bulb and the leaves somewhat the same, is 

 I. Bakeriana. The flowers of all these are very beautiful. The 

 plants require plenty of sun and a good loamy soil, which 

 should be rather, stiff. They areliabletotheattacks of a fungus. 



tana is a large one, and grows in the neighborhood of Tan- 

 giers. It has a resemblance to the English Iris, but is ex- 

 ceedingly difficult to grow. It blooms early, but it requires a 

 very warm spring and must be ilried up in summer. 



The Juno group differs from the rest in that the ripe bulbs 

 possess a number of fleshy roots and broad leaves. These 

 roots disappear annually, but if the bulb does not produce a 

 flower, they sometimes remain, because the nutriment con- 

 tained therein is not drawn upon. I. alata, or I. scorpioides, is 

 a form of this group having broad leaves. The outer seg- 

 ments of the flower have an ear-like projection in each side, 

 and it has a well-formed crest. The bulb is covered with sev- 

 eral coats. It may be grown in the open, south of London, 

 perhaps, but it requires the shelter of a greenhouse in the Mid- 

 land counties. It has large flowers with various markings, 

 exceedingly fine and fragrant. I. Persica is a very beautiful 

 little plant, with flowers possessing very characteristic mark- 

 ings. There are many varieties of this lately introduced. They 

 will stand frost, but require roasting in summer. They should 

 be lifted each year, and thoroughly dried. 



I. Caucasica, with its greenish yellow flowers, is not a great 

 acquisition in the garden, but there are several varieties that 







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that will cause the bulbs gradually to decay if they are left in 

 the ground. If lifted each year, the fungus is greafly 

 checked. 



I. Kolpakowskyana is closely allied to I. reticulata, has 

 bulbs with netted coats, but the leaves are not similar ; it has 

 a very beautiful flower, and is diflflcult to cultivate. I.Winkleri, 

 ■with blue flowers, is very similar to the above ; the leaves are 

 more or less linear, and the bulb is covered with membranes. 

 It has a somewhat limited distribution in Europe. 



I. xiphioides has blue, purple and white flowers in differerit 

 varieties, but in none of them can any yellow be seen. It is 

 sometimes called the Pyrenean Iris. I. xiphioides (the English 

 Iris) requires a more damp situation than the Spanish form. 

 Both are thoroughly hardy, and can be left to themselves to_ a 

 great extent. The name (English Iris) originated through its 

 being first brought to Bristol and afterward distributed to the 

 different parts of Europe from the west of England. I. filifolia 

 is an exceptionally handsome flower — a rich strong purple 

 limb and orange signal. It is slighfly allied to the Spanish Iris. 

 It requires a thorough baking, and would be benefited by a 

 little pinching in summer through want of rich soil. I. Tingi- 



excel the type. One of these deserves the specific name of 

 Orchioides, a variety that differs in many respects from the 

 type. I. Rosenbachiana, also belonging to the Juno group, is 

 characterized by the fall of the outer segments, its beautiful 

 rich markings at the bottom of the fall, and possessing an ex- 

 quisite signal. It blooms in February or March, before send- 

 ing forth any leaves, and sometimes among the snow. It looks 

 like a summer flower, its surroundings not being suitable to its 

 rich color and refinement. In the different plants the color is 

 exceedingly variable, but the form is fairly constant. Another, 

 belonging to the same group, is I. Fosteriana, with foliage not 

 so broad, and having less fleshy roots. It comes from Afghan- 

 istan. A handsome contrast is presented between the golden- 

 yellow upright part of the flower and the purple fall ; it does 

 not take kindly to the English climate. I. Sindjarensis is fairly 

 hardy, and grows as well in our gardens as any of this group ; 

 a very beautiful and fragrant species. 



Some of the bulbous Irises are not strong in their struggles 

 for life, and ought to be grown by themselves and treated with 

 great care, for if left to fight their way among other plants, 

 the result will be disastrous to them. 



