IRIS 197 



beloved are these, that there is little need for me to 

 describe the big pearly flowers oi Jlorentina, rising up 

 on stalwart spikes above the robust masses of foliage ; 

 nor the high-bred charm oi pallida, twin to germanica in 

 shape and size and habit, but bearing flowers of a soft, 

 clear lavender blue like that of the Sweet Pea, Countess 

 of Radnor. But pallida rises on stepping-stones of itself 

 to higher things : pallida dalmatica, pallida Princess 

 Beatrice, and pallida Mandraliscae are glorified versions, 

 finer even than the type pallida ; indeed Mandraliscae, 

 with enormous blossoms of that gentle lavender, rising 

 high above the greyish sword-like leaves, on towering 

 spikes, is, I think, the finest of all the ordinary Garden- 

 Irises. Most remarkable of all, too, pallida gives a 

 variegated variety which is genuinely beautiful. I only 

 know the silver-striped form, but there is also a variation 

 with golden stripes. But a well-grown mass of silver- 

 stripe is a notable addition to border or large rock-work, 

 the pale grey leaves, all slashed and lined with white, con- 

 trasting in double beauty against the sheaves of pale 

 lavender flowers above. And close to this may well stand 

 a robust, beautiful cousin oi germanica. Iris Kochii of the 

 same ilk, with abundant big flowers of a dense rich violet. 

 Nor are any of these varieties at all inferior to the type 

 pallida or the type gervianica in freedom and vigour 

 both of development and blossom. As for florentina, 

 the same praise belongs to its robustness and good- 

 temper ; it gives no variety that I know, but no one who 

 has ever seen it rioting on the edge of Olive gardens in 

 Provence will feel a grudge against it for that. Nothing 

 could improve upon the type. I have, as I told you, 

 married it to my beloved tectorum, and though last season 

 was barren of blossoms, reasonably hope for results this 

 year. But a cold terror holds me against my will. Irises, 

 it is admitted, hybridise readily, and the seedlings flourish 



