TIMELY TOPICS FOR THE AMATEUR. 



63 



Fig. 2002. Iris. 



ering" bulbs are over, is the pretty little 

 dwarf-growing" white-flowering Arabis al- 

 pina, or A, albida. When once well es- 

 tablished it soon forms a compact mass 

 of foliage of a silvery-grey shade, and 

 when almost covered with its abundance of 

 flower has a very bright and eflfective ap- 

 pearance at a time when flowers are scarce 

 in the garden. 



A plant or two of Dielytra spectabilis 

 must also be included, its bright, coral-like, 

 ivory-tipped flowers, borne in long sprays or 

 racemes, together with its attractive foliage, 

 as well as its hardy character and general 

 adaptability, combine to make this one of 

 the most useful early summer-flowering 

 plants we have. It certainly deserves a 

 more pleasing name than its common one of 

 " Bleeding Heart," a name that seems a 

 little repulsive, and one that certainly does 

 not enhance the popularity of this grand 

 old-fashioned garden flower. 



The German and Siberian species of Iris 

 are a splendid class of plants for planting in 

 a garden that may of necessity have to be 

 somewhat neglected at times. They suc- 

 ceed well in almost any kind of soil, if not 

 too moist, and can be had in a great variety 



of beautiful colors from white to pale blue 

 and dark purple, or from pale yellow to old- 

 gold mixed with shades and markings of 

 brown and deep chocolate. The Japanese 

 and Spanish Iris do not succeed as well 

 under ordinary garden treatment as the 

 German and Siberian varieties, but are per- 

 haps more attractive when proper care and 

 attention can be given them. Eight or ten 

 varieties of Iris would not be too many if 

 there is room for them. 



One or two roots of the lemon lily,hemer- 

 ocallis flava, and the dwarfer and darker- 

 colored variety, H. dumortierii, are pretty 

 and hardy free-flowering tuberous-rooted 

 plants that should have a place in every flower 

 garden. 



A few plants of the perennial phlox can- 

 not be dispensed with, either for garden 

 decoration or to furnish a supply of cut 

 flowers during the hot summer months. 



Herbaceous peonies cannot be left out, 

 their large showy blossoms in colors rang- 



Fig. 2003. Gaillardia. 



