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IRISES 551 
I. XtpHium (Spurge-wort). Spanish Iris. Leaves slender, half 
round, deeply channeled. Flowers solitary, or twin; purple; June. Intro- 
duced from Portugal prior to 1596. Also known as J. vulgare. The 
var. lusitanicum has yellow flowers suffused with brown. 
I. XIPHIOIDES (Xiphium-like). English Iris. Leaves half-round, 
deeply channeled. Flowers deep lilac-purple; July. Native of 
Pyrenees. Also known as /. anglica and Xiphion latifoliwm. 
Most species of Jris in general cultivation may be 
own without special care beyond what is usual in the 
treatment of hardy perennials. They will be found to do best on a well- 
drained rockery. Irises proper must be planted with their rhizomes 
merely pressed into the soil, and the roots only spread out and buried in 
light rich (not too rich) loam. The situation must be a sunny one, and 
where in winter they may be protected from the too abundant rains by 
frame-lights being propped on four stakes up over them, so that the 
rain is thrown off, and the air allowed free play. J. Pseudacorus and 
I. subvrica need moister conditions, and the ground may be made boggy 
for them. J. levigata is cultivated by the Japanese as a sub-aquatic, 
and here it is frequently grown with success in pans which are stood in 
an inch or two of water. J. susiana is a bit sensitive, and in colder 
parts of the country will demand winter protection ; it should be wintered 
in a frame with well-drained light soil, and with sharp river sand in 
immediate contact with the rhizome. J. fwtidissima is an exceptional 
species in that it thrives in shade. The bulbous section, or Xiphions, 
should be planted in a shrubbery border, fully exposed to as much sun as 
shines in Britain, but protected from cold winds. The soil should be a 
light sandy loam, and the tuberous roots should be inserted with the 
crown about three inches below the surface. Some of them lend them- 
selves well to pot culture. 
Propagation is usually effected by dividing the roots in the 
rhizomatous section; or by separating the offsets from the bulbs of the 
other section, when they have got large enough. Or they may be 
reared by sowing the seed in pans of sandy soil, as soon as ripe, and 
germinating in a cold frame. 
Description of Plate 253. Iris reticulata, or Netted Iris. The plant, 
Plates 253and 254. etc, reduced about one-half; the separate flower the 
natural size. Fig. 1 is a detached sepal; 2, the len or “limb,” with 
the stamen lying against it. 
Plate 254. Jris pumila, or Dwarf Iris. Fig. 1, ‘eaetaced flower, 
is about two-thirds of the natural size; 2 is the “ limb” with a 
Cultivation. 
; ing stamen. 
