I. forrestii has yellow flowers and I. chrysographes deep velvety-red-violet blooms with golden lines and dots on the falls, hence its name. It has a shorter form named rubella which has the same red-violet flowers but without the markings. All are good growers and trouble-free. They are short enough to make good rock garden plants.The Wisley Book of Gardening Another interesting section of beardless irises is that known as Spuria from the species of that name. They are not so well known as they should be, probably because most of the good garden cultivars like a good baking after they have flowered, which they seldom get here. They are June-July flowering. The flowers resemble those of the Dutch bulbous irises but the spikes are generally taller. There are several species which grow well in the milder parts of this country but north of the Midlands they might prove difficult to grow. The writer grows and flowers some of them regularly in the Cotswolds. Of the taller species the following can be recommended; orientalis (usually grown as I. ochroleuca). This has white flowers with a prominent yellow signal area on the falls. With a height of 4ft(i.25m) it is one of the tallest irises and is good for the back of a border. I. crocea. This has deep yellow flowers and can grow to 5ft(i.5m) tall. It has long, sword-like leaves. In this same group are several low-growing species, usually only l to 2ft(30 to 6ocm) high. They are dormant in winter and require a reasonably warm soil, plenty of water in spring and in times of summer drought. Of these the following can be recommended: graminea. Some i2in(30cm) tall this has flowers coloured purple on a white ground. It has a greengage scent. I. sintenisii. This is roughly the same height as I. graminea and has charming little violet or purple flowers. kernerana. This is i5in(38cm) high with narrow, twisted leaves and yellow flowers. It is an elegant little iris which the writer has grown for years without any attention. It does, however, like a sunny spot. Useful relatives are 7. x monnieri (a natural hybrid of lemon-yellow colouring); 'Wadi Zem Zem', yellow; 'Driftwood', brown; and 'Ha Crawford', white. PACIFIC COAST IRISES The Pacific Coast irises should not be missed for they offer a full range of colours except for real red and black and they area flower arranger's dream. There are approximately a dozen species emanating from the Pacific coast and foothills of the U.S.A., and, through intercrossing and breeding, many fine cultivars are now appearing. These grow well in Britain. Height ranges from 9 to 3oin(23 to 75cm) in height and they usually carry three buds on each flexuous stem. Flowering in this country is in May. Except for the hybrids of 1. munzii, which are a bit tender, they are quite hardy and although they are supposed to prefer an acid soil they grow well for the writer on limestone in full sun or partial shade. They produce few roots and, once established, should be moved as little as possible.