246 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



say a soil suited to potatoes or corn. They should be 

 planted where they can be cultivated and where they 

 need not be disturbed for several years. 



The Japanese irises when properly grown are larger and 

 finer than the German varieties. In color they are mostly 

 blue or white. A common beUef assigns them to swampy 

 spots along the shores of ponds, but this is hardly correct. 

 In fact, the plants will not Hve in a soil where water stands. 

 The soil must be rich and moist but well drained. Fine 

 Japanese irises may be grown in any garden where the 

 soil is reasonably heavy and retentive. 



The Iris, like the phloxes, must be carefully selected as to 

 species in order to get the longest season of bloom possible. 

 By a proper selection they can be had from early spring until 

 past midsummer; the two most widely known species are 

 the German Iris and the Japanese Iris, — I. Germanica, and 

 /. Kaempferi, respectively; the former bloom the earUer, 

 beginning to flower in May. A new species, Iris Interregna, 

 blooms still earher and the flowers are of fine form and 

 of clear and distinct colors. The German Iris should be 

 planted on well-drained soil, the roots sHghtly covered; they 

 appreciate plenty of sun. The Japanese Iris, on the other 

 hand, while succeeding in almost any soil, and in either sun 

 or partial shade, require plenty of water, particularly while 

 they are developing their flowers; all are quite readily re- 

 planted, but the Japanese sorts do not increase rapidly. 

 In planning for a succession of bloom, either in the mixed 

 border, or in the iris beds, plants of the following species will 

 bloom about in the order named. /. Pumila, the "baby" 

 iris; Asiatica and Florentina, old sorts, smaller, but earlier 

 flowering than the new German sorts; pumila hybrida, and 

 interregna, newer species, — of each of which there are sev- 

 eral good varieties, — having German parentage, but bloom- 

 ing earUer; the regular German type, including such grand 

 sorts as Madame Cherau, pure white with sky-blue edging, 

 PaUida Dalmatica, lavender, with fall petals shaded blue, 

 and very fragrant, Maori King, golden yellow with choc- 

 olate falls, Queen of May, old rose, Mrs. H. Darwin, white 



