MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 147 
and the variety of coloring in both singles and doubles is al- 
most innumerable. ; 
Iris.—The variety and use of the iris as decorative peren- 
nials are such that they need no particular description. The 
May, 1914, Butierin, however, contains a complete discus- 
sion of their treatment and culture. 
Inatris.—Liatris, or blazing-star, is a native plant that has 
come into general use in St. Louis in recent years. The 
flowers are purplish blue and are produced in dense cylin- 
drical spikes about 3 to 4 feet high. They bloom in late 
summer and autumn, and a rather complete succession may 
be obtained if the species, L. pycnostachya, L. scariosa, and 
L. spicata are used together. The first is perhaps the earliest, 
blooming in August. JL. spicata comes next, and is followed 
by L. scariosa. They are all valuable in producing the 
vertical effect that tends to relieve the monotony of any 
border plantation. 
Linum or flax.—This is a perennial that is easy to grow 
and adds a pleasing touch of color to the garden, especially 
when grown in masses. JL. flavwm is a good variety that 
grows from 1 to 2 feet high and produces golden yellow 
flowers in July and August. JL. perenne (blue) and L. 
perenne album (white) bloom at the same time as L 
flavum, but are more dwarf, being 1 foot to 18 inches high. 
The flax grows easily in the full sun and has a long period 
of bloom. 
Lilium.—The impression seems to prevail in St. Louis 
that the liliums, or lilies, as they are popularly called, are 
hard to grow and possess little merit as perennials. For this 
reason, they are usually treated as tulips and other bulbs. 
The first season after planting the results are usually satis- 
factory, and when the ground, as well as the plants them- 
selves, are protected from the intense drying effect of the 
sun, success may be looked for in succeeding years. Plant- 
ing bulbs in the low shrubbery or between other perennials 
furnishes the necessary protection to the roots and flowering 
stems. Among the lilies most recommended for local condi- 
tions are L. auratum, L. speciosum album, and L. speciosum 
rubrum. 
Lobelia.—Where moist conditions prevail, no plant is 
more attractive than the lobelias or cardinal flowers. They 
are best grown along streams or pools, although when plenty 
of water is provided they do well in any garden location. 
‘L. cardinalis is a red-flowered and L. syphilitica is a blue- 
flowered species, both offering a nearly continuous bloom 
— the summer. The spikes vary in height from 2 to 
eet. 
