IRIS 
145 
with them, is the small-crested Iris group con¬ 
sisting of one American species, cristata, and 
two Japanese species, tectorum and gracilipes. 
The group gets its name from the golden 
crest down the center line of the lower petal. 
All the plants are small and suited best to 
half-shaded rock gardens. Cristata is but a 
few inches high, blooming in April or early 
May, delightfully fragrant and of great value to gardens, and 
yet but seldom seen. Any good garden soil with humus in it 
should suit it, and half shade is welcomed by it; the members of 
this group are the only important Irises which do not demand 
full sun. 
Iris tectorum is slightly larger, standing perhaps a foot in height, 
and is easily grown from seed. Its white form is particularly desir¬ 
able. It needs replanting oftener than most Irises and when it 
becomes crowded is apt to die out. I believe it can best be handled 
by saving seed yearly and keeping some young plants coming 
along. Iris gracilipes is the scarcest and perhaps the loveliest of the 
three, a tiny flower held in eight- or ten-inch stems, a gem for any 
rock garden. 
The bulbous Iris group is another great group. Its headquarters 
are around the Mediterranean or in Asia Minor, a small area in 
contrast to the area covered by Beardless Iris. Bulbous Iris should 
be planted in the Fall, just as Tulips are, and north of Richmond 
on our east coast they are not very reliable garden plants. They 
bloom well for a year or two and then are apt to dwindle away 
and disappear. In milder climates they increase rapidly and are of 
great value. This is particularly true in parts of Virginia, and the 
Carolinas, and on the Pacific Coast. The most readily available of 
the bulbous types are the varieties of the Spanish Iris group. These 
are hybrids of Iris Xiphium. If they do not live very many years, 
they are not too expensive to repurchase. 
The English Irises are later blooming and probably more finicky 
as to position. They do not seem to succeed in as many sections 
as Spanish Irises do. The flowers are larger and the color range 
Crested 
Iris 
Bulbous 
Iris 
Spanish 
Iris 
English 
Iris 
