In the Garden
Many gardeners are perhaps too obedient (though some are too disobedient) to the standard theories about the prejudices of plants. If a species is described as water-loving or chalk- hating, they will not try it in a dry or chalky soil. Iris Sibirica, the most beautiful in habit of all irises, is now flowering magnifi- cently on very long straight stems on the side of a steep bank in a peculiarly dry garden in a dry year. The white form and the dark blue are equally flourishing, and doubtless the light blue would be if it were there. In the same garden, which is underlaid by solid chalk, four sorts of heath grow well and flower well without the addition of any artificial soil. The truth seems to be that a number of heaths, including Carnea, Stricta, Mediterranea and the common ling, are quite happy in the presence of lime. At the same time it has to be remem- bered that even a soil overlaying chalk may on occasion be
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