1872, Iris reticulata

The Garden p.480, April 20, 1872

Delphinium formosum. Phlox Nelsonii, and Iris reticulata. — Two or three little points struck me as I went through your work on " Hardy Mowers" — matters personally known to me. First. Delphinium formosuui is a garden hybrid, although it reproduces itself from seed as truly as most species. It -was raised by the late Mr. C. Moore, nurseryman, East Dereham, in this county. Second, Phlox Nelsonii is also a garden hybrid, between P. frondosa and P. nivalis, raised about twenty years ago by my late father, who was rector of Winterton, also in this county. Third, Iris reticulata: my soil may be described as a strong loam, with a brick-earth sub-soil not eighteen inches from the surface, and here it thrives amazingly in all positions on the level. A friend gave me about a score of roots ten years ago; I have exchanged and given away since that time more than three hundred, and have now a stock of at least five hundred — all from the original twenty roots. Moreover, I have never seen it do as well anywhere where the soil is lighter and warmer. It does not seed freely with me, though many abortive seeds are formed; but this year I have about twenty seedlings from seed saved last year. — J. G. Nelson, Aldborough Rectory,

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-- BobPries - 2014-11-06