298 HARDY HERBACEOUS FLOWERS. 



ing plant derives its name of Christmas Rose from its ho bit of 

 blooming in England at Christmas time. It is a most hardy 

 evergreen-leaved plant, flowering here about the first of Decem- 

 ber, and continuing to throw up its flower stems, if the weather 

 be not too severe, aU through the winter. AVTiero covered with 

 snow sufficiently to protect it from extreme frosts, its pretty 

 flowers may be found under the snow. The flowers are single, 

 of a blush white color, tinged with green, and resemble a small 

 single rose. It is propagated by dividing the roots in spring. 



Iris. — The Fleur-de-lis. — There are many varieties of Iris, 

 the most of them being hardy and some exceedingly beautiful. 

 As the different varieties require somewhat different treatment, 

 the cxdture adapted to each is given below, with a description of 

 some of the most interesting and desirable sorts. 



Germanica. — This is the one so commonly seen in all our 

 gardens, perfectly hardy in all parts of Canada, and flourishing 

 in every soil and with the most negligent treatment. The flowers 

 are large, dark purple and light blue, appearing in June. 



Susiana. — One of the most beautiful, tuberous rooted varieties. 

 The flowers are very large and showy, the colors being a variety 

 of shades of brownish purple, very prettily mottled and spotted, 

 which appear in June. It is important that the roots should be 

 taken up as soon as the leaves begin to die down, which is about 

 the first of August, and kept dry in some cool place until Octo- 

 ber, when they should be agaia planted. In places where the 

 winters are open they are the better for a slight protection of 

 litter. K the roots are allowed to remain in the ground they 

 commence to grow in the fall, and this young growth being killed 

 by the frosts, the plant in consequence dies. 



Persica. — This beautiful variety is very sweet-scented, and 

 comes into flower very early in spring. Its colors are blue, 

 yeUow, purple, and white. It is one of the most charming 

 things possible for window culture, and may be grown in sandy 

 soil in pots, or in moss, or in water. It is bulbous-rooted, grow- 

 ing best in a sandy soil, and requiriug plenty of moisture, but 



