IRIS RETICULATA

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 23

IRIS RETICULATA

Among the most valued treasures of early spring iris reticulata must certainly take a position of high rank. The fragrant flowers of deep purple and gold are doubly welcome, for they delight us with their unexpected beauty before the earliest daffodil has adventured her nodding head to the winds of spring (says the Manawatu ‘ Daily Times ’). There is in the flower of iris reticulata a quality of richness and ex-

cellence both of colour and texture which is difficult to excel, and it well repays the very little trouble necessary to grow it to perfection. It forces readily and is charming when grown in low pots and bowls. It should be noted that these flowers, unlike hyacinths, do not call for a period of darkness after potting. As with freesias, such treatment spells ruin. The pots should be placed in a protected spot in the open until they are brought under glass. _ These irises are natives of Asia Minor and are perfectly hardy, but it is worth while to study and follow the conditions under which they grow in Nature—a brilliant spring following severe weather and succeeded by a roasting summer. Their requirements are simple, but they will not readily adapt themselves to unsuitable conditions or treatment and do not hesitate to express their disapproval of such by dying out of hand. Their first need is that the ripe bulbs must be planted as early in the season as they can be procured, and do best if they are lifted every year and planted in a fresh position with as little delay as possible. In the open ground the flowers (which open with the earliest crocus) should be given the sunniest position possible, the soil should be well drained and of open texture in order that the summer sun _ may give the bulbs a thorough ripening before they are lifted. These conditions observed, their propagation is of the simplest.