SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 125 



we have the iris, or flenr-de-lis, or, as some would say, flags. 

 If you have not seen the Japan varieties, you certainly would l3e 

 surprised at the wonderful combinations of bright colors and the 

 large flowers; they are perfectly hardy and may be depended upon 

 for a good show. The tulip is another bulbous plant which, though 

 common, is one of our most gorgeous spring flowers. Crocuses, the 

 earliest flowers that blossom, are ahvays showy on account of the 

 time they bloom and are very hardy. 



The most popular flower that bloom in the spring are the nar- 

 cissus, the daffodils, jonquils, etc., with the curious flowers and 

 their great variety, and there are many other bulbous plants that 

 brighten up the early spring. 



The lilies are among the showiest, most varied and most satis- 

 factory bulbous plants. These may be had to bloom at any season. 

 So great is the variety of lilies that most of us could fill -our yards 

 Avith them and then have but a few varieties. These bulbous plants 

 should be planted in the fall, and prefer partially shaded or sunny 

 places and rather dry, well drained sandy soils. 



The hardy shrubs which attain some size always make a nice 

 show if trimmed and kept in shape. Among these we find great 

 panicated hydrangea, which in midsumer is covered with immense 

 panicles of white flowers, which will remain on the plants until the 

 next spring. This is one of the most desirable shrubs. The altheas, 

 sometimes called rose of Sharon, are desirable, as the bright colored, 

 showy double-flowers are in their prime at a season when flowers are 

 somewhat scarce. 



The syringa is very desirable for an early summer flower, and espe- 

 cially so is the double-flowered one. One of the sweetest perfumed 

 flower is the clethra alnifolia, which bears its small plumes in mid- 

 summer. 



Then we can have the weigelias, the deutzias, or the spireas, 

 which bloom in the spring, or the lilacs which we all know, and 

 which, with the sprieas, are the worst plants to spread and fill a 

 yard with underbrush that we know, and we should be cautious in 

 planting them. 



For vines, we have the Virginia creeper, ampelopsis or the 

 trumpet vine, which cling to walls, trees, etc. Honey suckles, which 

 we all know, and the Chinese wistiria with its pendulous blue flowers 

 are good climbers which do not freeze in the winter. The passion 

 vine, which freezes down and should be protected, furnishes a pro- 

 fusion of white or blue flowers which are symbolic of the passion of 

 Christ on the day of the crucifixion. In the last few years the clem- 

 atis has become popular, and well it should, for it is one of the most 

 gorgeous of hardy plants. The great variety of color and form helps 

 the plant in its popularity. 



In obtaining these hard}^ plants, care should be taken to obtain 



