19 
ALLIUM, TRILLIUM OR WOOD LILY, AND ENGLISH IRIS. 
ALLIUM. 
These fine hardy border plants are very decorative. MacNabianum remarkable for its richness of colour ; 
Aureum for fine yellow flowers; Azureum for intense blue; A 'capolitanum for snow-white blossoms; 
Triquetrum for a remarkable contrast of bright green and white in the flower. 
per doz. each. 
s. d. 8. d. 
987 Aureum, bright yellow, very showy, 
ij ft qs. 6 d. per too 1602 
988 Azureum, bright blue, beautiful, i^ft, 7 6 o 9 
989 Descendens, dark purple, showy, 2 ft. 3 6 o 4 
990 MacNabianum, rose-magenta , 1 ft. 7609 
per doz. each. 
a. d. 8. d. 
991 Neapolitanum, pure white , 1 ft 3604 
992 Pulchellum, crimson - scarlet, very 
elegant 0 ^ 
993 Triquetrum, white, green striped, 1 ft. ... 06 
994 Mixed Varieties, per 100, 12s. 6 d.... 2 6 
TRILLIUM (the Wood Lily). 
A fine hardy plant for moist shady places, and most valuable to force for early flowers which are charming 
in bouquets. - each— s. d. each—*, i. 
995 Grandlflorum, pure white, i J ft 2 o i 996 Atro-purpureum, purp'e, ^ ft 2 6 
IRIS. 
© 2 T The large Banksian Silver Medal of the Royal Horticultural Society was awarded to our collection of 
Iris, exhibited in June, 1877/ June, 1878/ and July, 1879; a h° Certificates for new varieties of the Japanese 
Clematis-like Flag Iris. 
Like the Orchid in the hot-house, the Iris in the flower garden is the richest and' most varied in colour, and 
diverse in form. The varieties are all perfectly hardy, and should be freely planted in the borders of the dress 
garden and the shrubbery ; also for naturalization in woodland walks and wild gardens, for which they are pre- 
eminently suited, as once properly planted, they require no further care. Where cut-flowers are in demand, the 
Iris will be found invaluable, surpassing the choicest and the most curious Orchids in richness, variety, and 
remarkable combination of colours, while embracing every feature which characterises the wonderful diversity 
found in Orchid flowers. The cultural requirements of Orchids necessarily confine their enjoyment to a very few ; 
but the Iris may be enjoyed by all, even those who have only a few square yards for their flower garden. A 
judicious selection of Iris, including the most magnificent in colour and form, with the most quaint in combinations 
of colour, would furnish to the cultivator of hardy plants all the beauty and variety that the most valuable 
collection of orchidaceous plants could impart, and form a succession from Christmas to August, at 
an outlay not exceeding the price of a single specimen Orchid. Iris Alata , Reticulata, and Stylosa, are 
winter-flowering. Reticulata we have seen expanding its rich violet gold-blotched fragrant blossoms when 
the ground was covered with snow, and remaining uninjured with 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 the succession is the beautiful Iberica. Then follows the P until a, and other varieties in this 
section of dwarf Iris. Close upon these comes the Barbata group, with its kindred species and varieties, and 
their endless variations of colour, ranging from white and the richest golden yellow, to rose, intense purple, 
and the most beautiful bronzes. The beardless section continues the chain of succession in Sibirica, with its 
pretty small orchid-like blossoms ; Orientalis, with its velvety blue flowers ; Gramiuea, with its graceful foliage 
and characteristic blossoms ; Setosa, with its charming blue flowers ; Versicolor, Virginica, etc. ; and following 
these, the splendid clematis-like Japanese Iris, Kcempferi , with grand flowers, ranging from snow-white to rose, 
lilac, magenta, purple, crimson, and violet ; and with the flowers varying in size from 5 to 10 inches in diameter, 
with a breadth of petal 2^ to 3^ inches. A coloured Plate of two magnificent varieties, Imperatrix and Scheme 
Wienerin, appeared in The Garden, 30th August, 1879. This season, from the end of June to the first few 
days in August, we have been exhibiting cut flowers of Iris Kcempferi from the plants we shall this Autumn send 
out, and which will be found described on page 22, all new varieties. The Spanish Iris somewhat precede 
/. Kcempferi, their flowers are snow-white, porcelain-blue, clear yellow, and rich chestnut, having combinations of 
mottlings which are only to be compared with those of the rare and curious Orchids. Following these come 
the English Iris, with their large sumptuous flowers, representing almost every shade of colour, distinct and in 
combination, thus carrying the succession, in conjunction with /. Kcempferi, to the end of July, which may be 
considered the close of the Iris season. The only plants by which you can compare the magnificence of the 
English Iris are the Lselias and Cattleyas, the Queens of Orchids. We have not spoken, however, of the pretty 
Peacock Iris, nor of the wonderful Iris Susiana, nor of the Variegated foliaged Iris, which is so valuable in vases 
and so effective in the flower garden, nor of the charming little Iris Cristata for dry banks. These, and th; 
handsome beardless sub-aquatic species quoted on page 25, are links in the unbroken chain. 
To cut for filling vases and for table bouquets, the whole of the Iris are admirably adapted, and when it is 
necessary to forward the flowers to a distance, they should be cut just before expanding, for , like the Gladioli, the 
blossoms will open in water. The effect is greatly enhanced when individual flowers are arranged in wet sand or moss. 
ENGLISH IRIS (THE LARGE BULBOUS IRIS OF SPAIN). 
These magnificent Iris flower in July, and thrive best in well-drained soil; when the soil is heavy, surround 
the bulbs with sand. The planting may be done from September to December ; but the earlier the better. The 
varieties described are distinct, and as strikingly beautiful and varied in colour as the most sumptuous orchids of 
the hot-house. 
We make annual exhibits of flowers of this grand Iris at the Meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society. 
g^tF" la the descriptions, S. is used to signify the Standards or erect petals, F. the Falls or drooping petals. 
». d. 8. d. 
997 3 each of 24 magnificent varieties 12 6 
998 1 each of 24 ditto 5 o 
999 3 each of 12 ditto 7 6 
1000 Fine mixed per 100, 6/0 ; per doz. 1 o 
1001 Choice mixed ,, 8/6 ,, 16 
1002 Named var., mixed ,, 12/6 ,, 20 
per doz. each. 
s. d. 8. d. 
1003 Abigail, S. purple, edged lavender, F. white , and lavender, mottled purple 3 6...0 4 
1004 Adrian, S. satin-rose and magenta, F. delicate satin-rose, spotted violet 3 6...0 4 
1005 Amphimachus, S. crimson-black, F. rick velvety-purple 3 6...0 4 
1006 Amusant, S. purple, F. rich violet, with white and yellow 3 6...0 4 
1007 Armida, S. crimson-black , F. purple faked crimson-black, with white and yellow 3 6...0 4 
1008 Belle Sophie, S. magenta, flaked while, F. white, spotted crimson 3 6...0 4 
1009 Blanche, .S. and F. white, tinged rose 3 6...0 4 
1010 Blanche fleure, S. and F. ivory-white, tinged soft rose 3 6...0 4 
1011 Bleu Aiznable, S. violet, f. violet-blue, spotted crimson 3 6...0 4 
12 and 13, King Street, Coveni Garden , 1881.] 
