JAPANESE IRIS. 
97 
The best known Irises of the “ Beardless ” group 
are : I. aurea, 3 to 4 feet high, bright yellow, J une ; 
I. cristata, 4 to 6 inches, rich amethyst blue, April and 
May, a good rock garden plant ; I. fulva, 2 to 3 feet, 
deep copper yellow; I.graminea, 9 inches, grassy leaves, 
flowers lilac-purple, sweet-scented, May and June; 
I. missouriensis, bluish-lilac, veined with purple, May ; 
I. ruthenica, lilac-purple and white, March and April ; 
I. sibirica, lilac and violet, May and June ; I. unguic- 
ularis or stylosa, lilac blue, or white, January and 
February ; and I. versicolor, claret purple, in May 
and June. 
The Japanese Iris ( Z. Kasmpferi or Ixvigata) grows, 
about 2 feet high, having flat blossoms often 8 to 10 
inches across, about June and July. The colours are 
numerous, the most common being pure white, lilac, 
magenta, purple, crimson, lavender, and blue, in 
addition to which there is usually a distinct yellow 
or orange blotch at the base of the broad petals. 
Although in Japan this Iris grows naturally in swamps 
and marshes, it will flourish in the border in good 
loamy soil enriched with manure or leaf mould. It 
is, however, more at home near the margins of lakes, 
ponds, streams, &c., where it is partially shaded. The 
plants may be increased in early autumn by division. 
I. Pseudacorus, the common British Flag Iris, found 
near river banks, ditches, &c., produces its bright 
yellow flowers from May to August, and may be grown 
in moist shady spots in the border or near water. There 
is a variety with striped leaves. The “ Gladwin” or 
“ Roast Beef Plant ” (I. foetidissima) is another British 
Iris, 2 to 3 feet high, with purple or bluish-lilac flowers 
H 
