GARDEN IRISES AT CHISWICK, 1903. 



183 



GARDEN IRISES AT CHISWICK, 1903. 



A large collection of the Rhizomatous classes commonly called ' Flag ' or 

 4 German ' Irises was planted on the south side of the Garden on ground 

 that had been previously trenched and well worked, but unfortunately- 

 many of the varieties failed to flower satisfactorily, and some not at all, as 

 indeed has been the case all over the country, the reason being no doubt 

 due to the cold season of 1902, which prevented the plants from becoming 

 thoroughly ripened. These Irises are excellent subjects for dry banks and 

 gravelly and sandy soils ; but they love a full exposure toj-the sun. The 

 following, a complete list of those that flowered, werejinspected by the 

 Floral Committee. 



F.C.C. = First-class Certificate. 

 A.M. = Award of Merit, 

 x x x = Highly Commended, 

 x x = Commended. 



I. Germanica Varieties. 



The varieties in this group are amongst the earliest of the vigorous 

 sorts to flower of which I. germanica is the type. 



1. Germanica (Barr). — The German or common purple Flag Iris is 

 one of the most accommodating of hardy plants, as it succeeds in nearly 

 all soils and situations. Native of Central and Southern Europe. 



2. Major (Barr). — A large and improved form of No. 1. 



3. Purple King (Barr, Veitch). — A strong-growing variety, with large 

 purple standards and broad deep purple falls, the basal part beautifully 

 netted. An improvement on No. 1. 



4. Yiolacea (Barr). — Vigorous habit ; standards large deep violet-blue; 

 falls bluish-purple, with a rich yellow beard. 



II. Amcena Section. 



The varieties in this group have plain white (or nearly so) standards 

 and variously coloured falls. 



5. Agamemnon (Veitch). — Same as No. 11. 



6. Comte de St. Clair, x x x June 1, 1893 (Wilks, Barr).— Rather 

 slender habit, with medium-sized flowers borne on a tall spike. Standards 

 blush-white, deepening towards the edges; falls violet, edged and freely 

 streaked with white. 



7. Innocenza, x x x June 11, 1903 (Wilks, Selfe-Leonard, Veitch). — 

 Vigorous habit, producing tall stout spikes of lovely flowers with 

 incurving cream-white standards and paler falls, the latter delicately 

 veined with purple on the basal parts ; beard rich yellow. 



8. Morpheus (Barr). — Sturdy habit ; very free-flowering, but flowers 

 rather small. Standards cream- white ; falls purple, basal part white, 

 beautifully veined with purple ; beard rich yellow. 



