332 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



/. reticulata (Fig. 209), the equally beautiful /. Bake7-iaiia^ and 

 /. histrioides. These require considerable care to bring them to 

 perfection in the outdoor garden, as they are soon spoilt by 

 heavy rains in spring. The first-named is also very liable to 

 mildew, which destroys vast numbers of the bulbs. 



Apart from their varied hues and brilliant colours. Irises have 

 other qualities which entitle them to consideration. First may 

 be mentioned their ease of culture ; secondly, their accom- 

 modating nature, for amongst the Flag Irises are to be found 

 a number which will flourish even in town gardens. As is 

 but natural with so vast a genus, soil and situations vary 

 ornewhat with different kinds. Most of them will thrive in 



any ordinary garden soil ; and 

 a few will only give of their 

 best when placed in the richest 

 of quarters (though manure 

 coming in actual contact is in- 

 jurious), with plenty of moisture, 

 as by the side of a stream or 

 lake. In height, too. Irises vary 

 considerably. There are tall 

 and stately species, like /. 

 pallida ; intermediate ones like 

 /. sibi7'ica (Siberian Irises) ; and 

 yet others, which are only a 

 few inches, such as /. 7'eticulata^ 

 I. alata, and /. Bakeriaiia. 



The genus L-is is so vast 

 a one that it is quite impossible 

 in a limited space to deal at 

 all fully with it. It is proposed, 

 therefore, to call attention to 

 some of the choicer kinds in 

 each section, reserving the 

 enumeration of others tor the 

 "Appendix." First as to the 

 Rhizomatous section, of which 

 the tall Bearded Irises or 

 Flags of our gardens stand out so prominently. Among the 

 most distinct are : /. germaiiica Kharput : /. aphylla INIadame 

 Chereau ; /. auiana Mrs. G. Darwin and Due de Nemours ; /. 

 neglecta Cordelia, Amabilis, and Miss Maggie ; /. pallida dal- 

 niatica, Mandralisc^e, and Queen of May ; /. squalens Dr. Bernice, 

 Arnois, and Lady Jane ; /. variegata Alba, Aurea, Gracchus, and 

 Maori King. Then come the Dwarf Bearded group, which are 

 charming for permanent edgings, for massing, or for the rock 

 garden. "All are pretty, but especially good are Count Andrassy, 

 Sieberi, and Olbiensis Sulphurea. These grow some loin. high. 



Fig. 209. — Iris reticulata. 



