1842 Floricultural Cabinet; English Irises and Iris Susiana

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/53968#page/101/mode/1up

CULTURE OF THE IRIS. *79

ARTICLE III.

CULTURE OF THE IRIS.

BY PHILO-DAHLIA, DURHAM.

The Iris, or Flower-de-luce, is a genus of the class Triandria, and

order Monqgynia.

1. The flower called the English Iris (Iris Xiphioides) first began to be cultivated about the year 1511, having been found, by the Dowager Duchess of Portland, on the river side, near Fladbury, in Worcestershire. It was originally only of a deep brilliant blue, but has since sported into every gradation of almost all colours, and has become shaded and mottled in a most beautiful manner. Since these changes have taken place, it has come into some repute as a florist's flower. This species is propagated by offsets from the roots. The corms* need not be taken up oftener than every third year, and should not remain out of the ground longer than a month, which would cause them to shrivel and produce an indifferent bloom the ensuing season. This kind blooms best in a light sandy loam, taken from a pasture with the sward, and laid together to rot for a time, but should have no manure whatever added to it. The roots should be planted about three inches deep, in beds with an eastern aspect, and rather shaded from the sun. It produces seeds very abundantly, the same as the Hyacinth, which may be sown about October, and will form, the first year, corms about the size of garden peas. These should not be disturbed till the third year, when they may be transplanted into beds for blooming, which will be about the fourth year, although sometimes not before the fifth or sixth. In Holland they are forced to protect their beds; but in this country the Iris is found to be perfectly hardy.

-- BobPries - 09 Mar 2019