WATER IRISES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 2, 3 January 1931, Page 6 (Supplement)

WATER IRISES.

I have told you a little about the Barbata. irises that like to live in a hot, dry situation; also a ■ little about the early spring flowering irises, as a general rule, like a little more moisture and humus, and now I have come to the various irises that" live in water altogether, or at least require moist situations to thrive properly. Perhaps for the general run of smallholders, the water irises (with the exception of the Spanish and Dutch) are the most useful members of the family to grow, as, providing, of course, you have the necessary water, practically all their flowers make good cut flowers, and would, therefore, materially assist anyone wishing to add to their income. They require to be gathered in the bud stage if they are to be sent any distance to market, but, of course, that usually applies to any cut flowers that are grown some distance from where they will eventually be sold. Anyone can understand that folded flowers will suffer less in transit and last longer with the purchaser than flowers that are left to open fully before being cut. Although the, Siberian irises will grow and flower in the garden, their growth will be very much more luxuriant, and the quality and quantity of their flowers increased as well, if they are planted by the side of a pond or stream. There are several varieties of the iris Siberia, but the gentian blue, type, Perry Blue (sky) and White Queen are the three most distinct colours. Their dainty flowers on thin wiry stems are very useful for cutting. Iris Wilsoni is similar in growth, but the flowers are yellow, with light brown veins. Crysograplis are a richly coloured reddish purple with yellow veins. Pseudacorous grows wild in many of the south of England waterways. Its pale yellow flowers are very dainty, but I find they do not last very long when brought inside, although I must say young buds keep on opening till the stem is finished. Iris ochrocuca is, I think, the tallest member of the iris family. Its white and gold flowers are particularly effective when reflected in a sheet of water. For indoor use they must be cut in the bud stage, as, having very sweet nectar, they attract many flies, which soon disfigure ochroleuca's snowy whiteness. Mounieri, which is similar in growth, although not quite so tall, is a pretty primrose colour. They will both thrive in the ordinary garden providing it is inclined to be damp. Then we come to the beautiful Japanese irises (Kaempferi) with their truly gorgeous colouring. Snow white, royal purple, light and dark blues, ruby, greys and mauves, their colour schemes are endless and all very beautiful. They last particularly well when cut, and should. T think, with the Siberian irises before mentioned, make quite a good paying proposition to the smallholder who has a stream or pond he could plant them by. All the water irises mentioned increase very rapidly, and require the minimum attention, only asking to be placed in full sun, and then left alone till it is time to pick their flowers.— (M. H. Drew, in "The New Zealand Smallholder.' - )