224 YxVRD AND GARDEN 



limit of iris variations. In fact, the ques- 

 tion, so far as planting is concerned, becomes 

 one of selection — of selection for ornamental 

 and color effect, for best varieties and those 

 easiest grown, and for season of bloom, that 

 a succession may be maintained. In this con- 

 nection it is well to know that the irises which 

 are grown and offered for sale by nurserymen 

 are divided into two divisions: those of bul- 

 bous character and those with surface rhi- 

 zomes — of which the common "German" is a 

 type — and those with exceedingly narrow, in- 

 conspicuous, subterraneous rhizomes, with 

 roots more conspicuous. 



In the bulbous division the irises best known 

 are those popularly called Spanish and Eng- 

 lish. The former {Iris Xiphium) and the latter 

 {Iris xipMoides) deserve to be more widely 

 planted than they are. They are of easy cul- 

 ture, thriving best in some sheltered corner of 

 the garden, and preferring a loose, friable soil. 

 Their flowers are excellent to cut for vase or 

 table decoration, and in form, size and color are 

 more dainty than the common variety. The 

 Spanish group blooms first — the latter part of 

 June — and its flowers are followed by those 

 of the English iris. For best effects the bulbs 



