Evening star., 1941-06-14
associate with the tall-bearded yari-

associate with the tall-bearded vari-
cites.
1t would seem that we have three
reasons for considering the "other
iriSes because Of cultural
requirements: second to prolong the
Towering season; and third, because
OF their grace and beauty. We shall
consider only the first two.
Shade-Loving Iris.
While iris in general is consid-
cred a sun-loving group of peren-
mails there are exceptions. The
dwarf woods iris q. cristatO will
thrive only in a moist, shady sit
uation. 1t will not tolerate lime
nor hot dry soils, but in a clay soil
with ample humus (decayed vege-
table natter and in partial to deep
shade it will thrive. 1t is a gem
for the shady rock garden growing
from to 8 inches in height. The
lake iris Il. lacustris) is even more
dwarf than cristata. 1t seldom ex-
ceeds 4 inches in height. The
japanese roof iris II. tectorum)
is taller growing 90 to Is inches)
and will thrive in full sun, but pre-
ferS partial shade. These three
flowers in April and May are per-
fectly hardy and most attractive.
Cristata is native to the woods of
this area.
The Japanese iris Il. kaempferi
and laevigata) are not considered
shade loving, but they will do very
we'll in light shade in this area.
They are tall growing, to feet,
and flower in June and July. Cool,
moist situations are to their liking.
They do especially we'll near pools
and along streams where their roots
can reach the moisture. Thus it
can be said that the japanese iris
are best adapted to the heavier,
moist soils. However, they will
grow and thrive in ordinary garden
soils that have ample supplies of
humus to hold moisture They need
to be well fertilized with manures.
Sun-Loving Iris.
The Siberian iris and their varie-
ties somewhat resemble the Japa-
nese iris, but are much smaller.
They like full sun and thus are
adapted to the perennial borders.
However, they require ample mois-
ture during the Towering season.
The true sibirica is either blue or
white Other Asiatic species reSem-
bling sibirica II. orientaGs, forresti,
chrysographeS, etc. and often con-
fused with it provide the yellow and
red-purple. There are many splen-
did garden varieties in this group
which flower between the tall
bearded and the japanese group.
The Louisiana group of iris are
seldom grown in this area although
they seem to be perfectly hardy.
They are sun loving, but require
cool. moist, rich soil. Our clayS
when we'll supplied with humus and
decayed manures should be to their
liking if kept moist during the
Towering period. This group is made
up of many species of which fulva,
foliosa, ochroleuca and aurea are
worth growing. There are several
named varieties (hybrids) that are
particularly attractive. Dorothy K.
Williamson is especially pleasing as
a cut flower. The colors include
various shades of red, orange, yell
low and white. The Towering season
begins in June for most of them.
The yellow water iris Il. pseuaco-
rus and the blue water iris II.
versicolor) are of interest for grow
ing in pools or along stream banks.
They can be grown in soggy soils,
in submerged pots, or in ordinary
garden soils if given sufficient
moisture during the Towering
season. Dryness during the late
summer does not hurt them.
The Vesper iris Il. dichotomD is
of interest primarily because it con-
tinues the Towering season through
July into August. Its dainty little
flowers borne on 3-foot stems last
only for a day but the great number
of them provide bloom for a con-
siderable period. 1t seems to be a
biennial easily raised from seed.
Bulbous Iris.
Some gardeners have long en-
joyed the Dubious iris finding them
especially useful as cut flowers
in May. However, number OF gar
deners having tried them have given
up because they did not seem to last
so well. This is particularly true of
the Dutch iris The Dutch and the
Spanish iris thrive only in light,
rather we'll drained soil. Even then
the Spanish are Short-lived. The
Dutch, however, will carry on with
'out difficulty although they are best
lifted in the spring after the foliage
has died down. They should be re-
planted again in the late fall or
early winter. If planted earlier
they will make considerable top
growth before cold weather which
may be injured by severe freezes.
The English iris, on the other hand,
like a heavier moist soil and should
take more kindly to our conditions.
In closing I mention the earliest
Towering of the hardy iris-Iris
reticulata. A tiny little gem with
deep rich purple flowers, it blooms
in February, March or April depend
ing upon the situation. 1t does best
if lifted in the spring and replanted
in the fall since the bulbs cannot
withstand moisture while dormant.
In a very well-drained soil in the
rock garden they would probably
survive.
There are many other species
and hybrid irises that have more
or less merit and interest for the
gardener. Those mentioned above
are being grown and enjoyed in local
gardens. Iris specialists will suggest
others that are of interest although
most of them have special cultural
requirements that more or less limit
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