FUNKIA, OR THE PLANTAIN LILY, AND ENGLISH IRIS. 
19 
FUNKIA, OR THE PLANTAIN LILY. 
These handsome omamental-foliaged Japanese hardy plants develope their leaves early in Spring, and in 
Summer and Autumn, throw up a profusion of fine Lily-like flower spikes. Amongst herbaceous plants they 
occupy a conspicuously prominent position, owing to the diversity of their foliage in shape, size, and colour. 
In size, the leaves range from the miniature to the gigantic, and in colour from pale green to a deep glaucous- 
green hue, as exemplified in the massive glaucous green foliage of Sieboldiana, the massive light fresh green 
leaves of Subcordata grandifiora, the massive deep green foliage of Ovata, and its beautiful golden-variegated 
variety; to match these four great-leaved Plantain Lilies it would be difficult, or to find more handsome plants 
for flower and shrubbery borders, and sub-tropical gardens, or to naturalize in wild gardens, and to grow as 
distinctive objects in grass in pleasure parks. Ovata glaucescens, Viridis, and Sinensis rank next in order of size 
— the one remarkable for its handsome golden-variegated variety, and the other for its beautiful silver-margined 
form ; than these there are no grander edgings to large beds. In confirmation of this we refer our readers to their 
use at Hyde Park, the plants having been supplied by us. The varieties of Ovata undulata are not so large as 
Glaucescens and Viridis, and are suitable for beds of smaller dimensions. The varieties of Spathulata have the 
smallest leaves, and make neat compact edgings. Speciosa has beautiful snow-white flowers ; the leaves of 
Plantaginifolia are characteristically distinct. All Plantain Lilies are valuable for naturalization. For pot-culture 
under glass we especially recommend for their snow-white flowers, Ovata spathulata speciosa and Subcordata 
grandifiora ; all the large-leaved varieties, and those with variegated-foliage, are grand conservatory plants. 
It is in shady and somewhat moist situations that the foliage out of doors attains its largest size. The editor 
of The Garden , who selected the name ‘'Plantain Lily,” assures us there will now be a great sale for these 
handsome plants, and as he is the “ Vaticinateur" of horticulture, we have propagated a very large stock, and 
offer them at extremely moderate prices ; early orders are recommended. In closing, we may just add our 
collection is the most complete outside of Japan. 
each — s. d. 
747 Ovata spathulata marglnata, white- 
margined foliage, per doz., 4/6 o 6 
748 ,, ,, speciosa, small foliage, pure 
white Jlowcrs ...per doz., 7 16 o 9 
6 749 ,, viridl 8 , foliage green per doz., 4/6 o 6 
6 760 ,, ,, marglnata, foliage conspicu- 
ouslymarginedwhite,perdoz.,7/6 o 9 
761 ,, „ unlvittata , white central line 
to each leaf. per doz., 5/6 o 
762 Fortunel, blue-green foliage , very distinct 2 
753 Sieboldiana, large glaucous green foliage, 
o 6 per doz., 10/6 1 
754 ,, major, very large blue-green foliage... 1 
6 755 ,, marmorata, yellow-margined foliage 1 
9 756 Subcordata grandifiora, large light green 
foliage , and large pure white flowers , 
o per doz., 10/6 1 o 
6 757 6 in 6 vars., 3/6 & 5/6; 12 in 12 vars., 7/6 & 10/6 
each— « 
736 Ovata , foliage green, flowers pur pU 1 
737 
738 
739 
740 
741 
742 
743 
744 
745 
746 
aureo-varlegata, golden-variegated 
foliage 1 
glaucescens variegata, gold and 
green variegated foliage, per doz. , 5/60 
undulata aurea, foliage golden -yellow o 
,, maculata, golden-variegated 
foliage o 
,, argentea, white and green 
variegated foliage 1 
lanceolata, green foliage, and purple 
flowers per doz., 4/6 
plantaginifolia, green foliage , and 
purple flowers per doz., 5/6 o 
sinensis, foliage green . . . per doz. , 7/6 o 
,, marmorata, golden-marbled 
foliage 1 
,, cordlfolia t foliage green o 
IRIS. 
The Iris is the *' Orchid” of the flower garden ; its blossoms are the richest and most diverse in colour, and 
varied in form of hardy plants. It should be extensively planted in flower and shrubbery borders ; also 
for naturalization and in wild gardens. If properly planted and established, the varieties of Flag Iris require no 
further care. As a cut-flower the Iris is invaluable, competing in richness and variety of colour with the choicest 
and the most beautiful Orchids. A judicious selection of Iris should include not only the finest in Colour and 
form, and the most quaint in combinations of colours, but include such varieties as will ensure a succession from 
•Christmas to August, and this is achieved at an outlay not exceeding the cost of one specimen Orchid. Iris 
Alata, Reticulata, and Stylosa, flower in winter. It is not an unusual thing to see Iris Reticulata with its 
rich violet gold-blotched fragrant blossoms expanded, and the ground covered with snow, the thermometer 
several degrees below freezing point. Following these comes the violet-scented Persica, with its delicate pearly 
flowers, inlaid with purple and gold. Next in succession the beautiful Iberica. Then follows Pumila , and the 
•other varieties of Dwarf Iris. Close after these comes the Iris Barbata group, and its kindred species and 
varieties, with an almost endless variation in colour, from white and the richest golden -yellow, to rose, intense 
purple, pale blue, and most beautiful bronzes. The Beardless section then continues the succession in Sibirica, 
with its pretty small orchid-like blossoms ; Orient alis, with velvety blue flowers ; Graminea, with graceful foliage 
and characteristic blossoms ; Versicolor, with charming rose-purple flowers ; Virginica, with rich purple-lilac 
blossoms, Setosa, etc. ; following these, the clematis-like Japanese Iris Kcempferi , with large flowers, varying 
from snow-white to rose, lilac, magenta, purple, crimson, and violet, and with flowers of different sizes, 5 to 
10 inches in diameter, with a breadth of petal 2^ to 3^ inches. A coloured plate of two magnificent varieties, 
Imperatrix and Schoene Wietierin, appeared in The Garden, 30th August, 1879. We have, from time to time, 
•exhibited cut flowers of Iris Kaempferi at the Flower Shows of the Royal Horticultural Society, and Royal 
Botanic, and they were always much admired. The Spanish Iris precede /. Kcempferi, the flowers are snow- 
white, pearly-blue, porcelain-blue, clear yellow, rich chestnut, &c., having combinations of mottlings such as are 
only to be found amongst rare and curious Orchids. Succeeding these come the English Iris, with large 
sumptuous flowers, representing many shades of colour, distinct or in combination ; thus the succession, in con- 
junction with I. Kcempferi , is carried to August, the close of the Iris season. The only plants by which one 
can compare the magnificence of English Iris are Laelias and Cattleyas, the Queens of Orchids. We had almost 
forgotten the pretty Peacock Iris, the wonderful Iris susiana, with its large, dusky, curiously and beautifully 
reticulated flowers, the Variegated-foliaged Iris, which is valuable in vases and effective in the flower garden, and 
the charming little Iris cristata, a glorious plant on dry banks ; these, with the handsome Beardless sub- 
aquatic Iris are links in an unbroken chain. 
To cut for filling vases and for table bouquets, all the Iris are admirably adapted, and when necessary to 
forward the flowers to a T, distance, gather the buds just before expanding, and, like the Gladioli, they will open in 
water . The effect is greatly enhanced when the individual blossoms are arranged in wet sand or moss . 
ENGLISH IRIS (THE LARGE BULBOUS IRIS OF SPAIN). 
This magnificent Iris thrives best in well-drained soil ; when planted in heavy soil surround the bulbs with 
•.sand. When convenient plant as soon after the beginning of September as possible, although we have planted as 
King Street, Covent Garden, 1883.] 
