232 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



June, 1907 



The iris should be hfted every three or four years and 

 divided and all dead wood removed from the roots, or rather 

 the live portion of the root, leaving an eye to each portion, 

 should be removed for replanting and the remainder con- 

 signed to the compost heap. The iris blooms but once from 

 the same crown, the plant after blooming forming another 

 crown for next year's bloom, the old dying away; in this way 

 in the course of two or three years the iris accumulates a mass 

 of dead growth, which is detrimental to the plant and should 

 be removed. 



In planting the iris the crowns should be set a foot apart 

 each way, if more than one row is set par- 

 allel; this allows of free development, and 

 is the only way in which the plants may be 

 successfully grown. Planted closely to- 

 gether they will give good enough results 

 for a year or possibly two, but soon be- 

 come congested and dwarfed. 



The Japanese iris require practically the 

 same treatment as the German — rich soil, 

 abundance of water, especially at blooming 

 time, and room to develop freely. They 

 can scarcely have too much water during 

 the hot weather. I have seen them planted 

 beside a hydrant where there was a con- 

 tinuous trickle of water about their roots, 

 and they bloomed magnificently. 



The blooms of the Japanese iris are 



While the German iris seldom or never self sows, the Jap- 

 anese occasionally do so, and one finds little seedlings coming 

 up here and there in beds and paths; these should be carefully 

 transplanted and cared for as they may develop some quite 

 desirable variety as it is in this way that new varieties r.re 

 produced. 



The Spanish iris are seldom hardy in the North, but when 

 they do succeed in surviving our rough winters, their dainty 

 flowers are very acceptable in early spring. They show a 

 golden yellow in most strains — a color rare in iris. They are 

 too fragile and small to be effective unless planted in large 



■ The Charming Grouping of iris and Hedge 



among the floral wonders, so immense are they in size and 

 beautiful in color, all the shades of mauve and purple and 

 lavender are shown with many crimson and pink varieties. 



The double white may be given the crown of beauty, how- 

 e\-er, rivaling, as it does, the stateliest lily. Second in point 

 of excellence is a lavender closely speckled with mauve; this 

 is especially notable for size and freedom of bloom, being 

 much the surest bloomer of all. Various fantastic names are 

 gi\ en the Japanese iris, but they are by no means descriptive, 

 nor do they serve to identify any particular plant owing to the 

 fact that each dealer in the plants has a name of his own 

 under which he catalogues them. For this reason no attempt 

 to describe the various varieties by name is attempted. 



The Mixed Borders and Iris 



quantities, and need a background to 

 bring out the good points. 



Iris Susiana is an extremely beautiful 

 iris, but is not hardy in the North without 

 much protection, and this is the case with 

 many iris, which but for this would be 

 great acquisitions to our hardy garden. 



In planting Iris, as in planting all 

 flowers, it is necessary to consider the 

 result that is particularly desired, before 

 anything is done. The plants may be 

 placed in rows; a whole field may be 

 crowded with them ; a great bed is often 

 highly effective; and single plants spaced 

 regularly in a long bed often yield im- 

 mensely decorative effects. It is thus a 

 plant that readily yields itself to a considerable variety in 

 planting and is available for almost every condition hat may 

 arise in the usual or the unusual garden. 



While this is not a quality peculiar to the Iris, it is a quality 

 so excellent in itself, and so very agreeably realized in this 

 plant, that this aspect of its availability deserves more than 

 a passing notice. Many plants are useful n " decorative 

 sense only under single conditions of growth; the Iris, how- 

 ever, is one of the most adaptable of plants, and is as thor- 

 oughly useful as it is immensely decorative. 



And its decorative quality, its superb bloom, its compara- 

 tive ease of culture, its own natural beauty, have endeared it 

 to flower lovers of many lands. 



