142 
GARDENING IN THE SOUTHWEST 
Siberica 
and 
Orientalis 
Hybrids 
Spuria 
Iris 
Ochroleuca 
Aurea 
Wild Iris 
Foliosa 
Fulva 
orientalis and their hybrids. Of these Emperor , Perry’s Blue, 
Lactea and Snow Queen are some of the best known, but there 
are many new varieties being introduced from Europe and also 
from one or more American breeders, notably Mrs. Frances Cleve¬ 
land. The best varieties usually combine the height of Siberica 
with the flower of orientalis but the color range is not large, 
running through the whites, blues and purples mainly, although 
reddish purples ( Red Emperor ) are coming in. There are a num¬ 
ber of other species belonging to the Siberica group which are 
worthy of trial. Among them are Forrestti, Wilsoni and chryso- 
graphes. Plants of these are not easy to obtain and it is probably 
best to grow them from seed, which can be had from specialists 
in this country and abroad. 
An important group which deserves a thorough trial is the 
Spuria group. Some of its species (from which the group receives 
its name) ought certainly to grow in many sections. Others are a 
little bit more finicky as to moisture and soil conditions, but are 
very well worth extra effort. At least they should be tried until 
it is known which ones can or cannot succeed. The first of these tc 
be considered is Ochroleuca , which, under good conditions, some¬ 
times grows five feet high. Smaller than Ochroleuca but a very 
fine flower of clear golden yellow is Aurea (not to be confused 
with a Bearded Iris of the same name). I have never been very 
successful with this in Philadelphia and find it best to grow a few 
plants each year from seed. The plants I have bloom well but do 
not increase much. Other types to be considered here are Monneiri, 
Monspur and Ochraurea. 
A group which certainly needs much closer attention from all 
gardeners is the group that comprises the wild Iris foliosa and 
fulva as they grow in our Southern states. Plants under this name 
have been in cultivation for many years in the North and have 
been more or less unsatisfactory on account of shy bloom. But 
they seem to be perfectly hardy as far north as Boston and some¬ 
times even into Canada. The hybrids fulva and fulvala and viola- 
cea as grown by Dykes, and Dorothy K. Williamson as grown by 
Williamson, have been better known in gardens than their parent 
