412 FRITZ BAHR'S COMMERCIAL FLORICULTURE 



Fig. 190. — German Ims. We cannot consider these 

 Irises — ^not even the many showy new varieties — 

 of any great value to the florist as cut flowers. 

 As hardy border plants, however, they are be- 

 coming more and more popular 



May, with stems from 

 fifteen to twenty inches 

 in length. The flowers, 

 Uke those of most Irises, 

 are fine to cut, but you 

 mustn't wait until they 

 are fully open; rather 

 gather them just as the 

 buds begin to open. 

 They will never do for 

 shipping, but you have 

 good use for them at 

 home. 



Iris pumila hybrida 

 is another early flower- 

 ing sort and splendid 

 for borders as it only 

 grows about ten inches 

 in height. It comes in 

 white, yellow and deep 

 purple. 



Bulbous Irises 



Among the Bulb- 

 ous Irises we have the 

 English and the Spanish 

 forms, and of the latter, 

 an improvement on the 

 eral weeks earlier. Iris 



those called Dutch Iris are said to be 

 original Spanish, coming in bloom sev 

 tingitana is a still earlier type. 



Both English and Spanish Irises can be planted outdoors, 

 but what makes them of particular value to the florist is that they 

 adapt themselves so well to growing and flowering under glass 

 during the early Spring months. 



Up to a few years ago the supply of bulbs came almost entirely 

 from Europe, but they are now grown by the acre in California, the 

 same as the Freesias, and are offered cheap enough for every retail 

 grower to plant a few thousand and force them. So used they 

 usually find a ready market, for they make ideal cut flowers. The 

 bulbs can be planted in bulb pans allowing a little space between 

 them, or flats can be used the same as for other bulb stock. Garry 

 in a coldframe up to the middle of February when the first batch 

 can be brought in and placed in a cool house. Later on increase 

 the temperature, but never subject them to too much heat. 



