126 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 
The common iris, or “ flag,” is Iris Germanica. Thig 
is well known by its distinct sabre-shaped leaves and 
noble blue flowers. It may be seen everywhere in London 
gardens, and yet where a London garden is managed in 
first-rate style, it cannot be counted among the most 
desirable plants for it. But we have now to do with 
its intrinsic merit, which is known to all. Given an 
ample range of border enclosing a croquet or bowling- 
green, or a free range of woodland walks, and we have 
a suitable domain for a collection of varieties of German 
iris, of which there are about fifty in cultivation. These 
present us with all possible colours save pure yellow and 
pure scarlet. They are wonderful in shades of blue, 
purple, lilac, lavender, brown, orange, buff, and pearly 
grey, put on in blotches, patches, circles, spots, marginal 
lines, and delicate peneillings. Any garden would be rich 
with a collection of these, and to examine and criticise 
them when in flower would afford many a summer day’s 
delight. Any good deep garden soil will suit the German 
iis. 
Another remarkable section of the family is that known 
to botanists as ris Cevigata, but in gardens denominated 
Tris Kempferi. This species has been for centuries cul- 
tivated by the Japanese, and the best of their varieties 
have been subjected to comparison and improvement in 
Holland and Germany, and one result is that the named 
sorts now available for the English garden are as worthy 
of a place in it as any hardy plants known. They differ 
from all other irises in the size of the flowers as compared 
with the leaves, the large lobes of the flowers, and the 
predominance of rich deep hues of crimson and_ purple 
vith other colours amongst them. A. rich deep soil and 
