IRIS. 



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larger and more nearly round. The name is a misnomer, 

 as the plant is a native of the Pyrenees, but has been 

 common in English gardens since 1571. The flowers are 

 exceedingly showy, produced on strong, erect stems about 

 two feet high, from one to three on a stem. The flowers 

 are of various colors, blue, white, lavender, crimson and 

 yellow. Like the foregoing, the bulbs should be planted in 

 autumn, as quickly as they can be procured. They are 

 not so cheap as the Spanish Iris, because they do not 

 increase as rapidly. 



I. persica (Persian). — This is one of the earliest 

 and the most beautiful of the bulbous species. It comes 

 into flower before the Crocus disappears and is equally as 

 hardy. It is a native of Persia, whence it was introduced 

 into England by the Queen of Charles I. Bulbs of this 

 species may be treated in all respects as the Hyacinth. 

 They will flower equally well in pots, or in water in 

 glasses ; in this manner they may be made to flower all 

 through the winter. The species are dwarf -growing ; 

 flowers small, of various shades of blue. 



I. pavonia (Peacock). — Botanieally this species 

 may now be found under Moraea. We prefer placing 

 it where it is popularly known. This is one of the small- 

 est of the species, but yery beautiful ; flowers pure white 

 blotched with blue. The bulbs are not hardy, but can 

 be grown in the cool greenhouse or in a cold frame. 



I. tuberosa (Snake's Head). — As its name im- 

 plies, this variety is tuberous rather than bulbous, but 

 more nearly like the latter than the tuberous-rooted spe- 

 cies. The flowers are beautiful and curious, green and 

 velvety black ; they are very early, and should have the 

 protection of a frame, as the frost would kill the flowers, 

 if it did not injure the plant. 



I. susiana (Chalcedonian). — This is one- of the 

 most magnificent of the species, and has, like the preced- 

 ing, tuberous rather than bulbous roots. It is a native 

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