Iris of China

Iris of China is the first comprehensive analysis of native Chinese Iris species and their cultivation to be available to English-speaking readers. James Waddick describes the distribution, ecology, and environment of Chinese iris in their natural habitats throughout China and applies this invaluable understanding to the cultivation of Chinese species in Western gardens. Many of these species are described here in English for the first time and are not yet in cultivation. Nineteen cultivation charts summarize Waddick's detailed guidance for species iris growers, rock gardeners, woodland gardeners, water gardeners, and all who are intrigued with the horticultural treasures to be discovered in Chinese species. This elegant volume also includes for the first time an English translation of the only systematic analysis of China's 60 native and introduced species, written by the eminent Chinese iris scholar Zhao Yu-tang. Illustrating Zhao's plant descriptions are the 21 original full-page line drawings of more than 50 Chinese species from his part of the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae. Many of the 31 color photographs of Chinese irises included in this book are from Waddick's pioneering 7500-mile (12,000 kilometer) iris collection trip to the far reaches of the People's Republic of China, made during May 1989 with the help of Zhao and 20 private sponsors. This first collection trip to China devoted specifically to observing and collecting native Iris species resulted not only in this unique study, but also introduced to the West more plants of more species of Chinese origin than ever before. Waddick brought back more the 400 living Iris plants for distribution to his sponsors, the ChinaIris Project, for eventual cultivation.