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Irises For The Waterside |
Iris versicolor is the American counterpart of
our native yellow flag, thriving under similar conditions. It
has graceful grassy foliage, and blue-purple flowers well
veined and flushed on a creamy-white ground.
Other good aquatic species include Iris monnieri with lemon-
coloured flowers; I. monaurea, yellow, flowers in July on six-
foot stems; I monspur, Cambridge-blue, five feet; I. ochroleuca
and its forms, mostly having white flowers with a yellow
blotch; and I. orientalis, which is sometimes known as
sanguined, and which has white and violet-blue forms. Iris
julva is shy flowering but when it does bloom, the colour is
bright coppery-brown with purple veins.
Iris jorrestii has foliage, and a habit of growth like that of
sibirica, with bright yellow flowers on eighteen-inch stems
appearing in May. I. wilsonii from China is similar, but
grows two and a half feet high, its pale yellow flowers being
veined reddish-bronze at the haft. I. clarkei often attains a
height of four feet, its rich blue flowers, which appear during
June and July, being prettily marked white at the haft. Iris
bulleyana has lavender-blue flowers during May and June, and
grows about two feet high. Some authorities are of the
opinion that it is a form of I. chrysographes, rather than a real
species.
Often confused with the Sibiricas, Iris kaempferi is the
most handsome member of the water-loving group of irises.
Of Japanese origin, this species is remarkable for the great
size of its beardless flowers which often measure seven or eight
inches in diameter.
Plant this iris in the full sun, and if possible on the water's
edge, where the fibrous roots can reach the water, but where
the crowns are above water level. During the summer, it will,
not matter if the entire plants become flooded, but the crowns
should be kept reasonably dry, while they are dormant during
the winter. At this time, too, it is a good plan to mulch the
crowns with well-rotted manure. When planting, the soil
should be rich and moderately heavy, but lime should be
avoided. This iris could also be grown in the border, so long
as the soil does not dry out during the summer, whilst for
anyone who does not mind the trouble involved, it is possible
to grow Iris \aempferi in casks or tubs sunk into the ordinary
garden. At the bottom of these containers, should be placed
stones and other drainage material, which should be covered
with good rich soil and peat. These casks can be kept well
watered, and just as the flower spikes are appearaing, they may
be really flooded, but after this time, it is not necessary to give
so much moisture.
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