62 THE HOME FLORIST. 



HYDRANGEA (Greenhouse Perennial, 32, 45, So ). 



Hydrangea Hortensis is a well-known pot plant, and much esteemed for its great profusion of 

 elegant but monstrous flowers, which pass in rotation through several shades of pink colors, 

 and remain upon the plant for months. The plants succeed much better in a shady place than 

 where it is sunny, on which account they are valuable for house culture. It requires a 

 plentiful supply of water during its growth, and especially when in flower the flowers being 

 produced upon shoots of the previous year. Being tolerably hardy, in the Southern States it may 

 be planted in the open air and remain out during winter with protection, and will flower 

 profusely from June to October. //. Hortensis Variegata is a somewhat rare and beautiful 

 variety of the preceding, with the foliage distinctly blotched with clear white upon green. It is 

 readily grown and forms one of the most delightful variegated house plants which can be 

 cultivated. , 



ICE PLANT. See Mesembryanthemum. 



1BERIS. See Candytuft. 

 IPOMGEA (Tender Annual). 



A splendid family of climbers, with which the Morning Glory, as Iponuza purpurca, is classed 

 by some, although all the varieties, besides, ai - e more tender than this well-known, useful 

 climber. Our seasons are rather short in the North to derive great satisfaction from the tender 

 kinds, unless they are brought forward in heat. By sowing the seed in March or April and culti- 

 vating in pots, or transplanting, with great care, to a sheltered situation in the ground after June 

 first, they will amply repay all the care bestowed upon them, and will, by this means, flower 

 profusely and until frosts. There will be little use of sowing the seeds in the open ground before 

 the last of May, as the soil must be warm to enable them to germinate. The seeds are hard, 

 and previous to sowing should be soaked in boiling water, and allowed to remain until the water 

 is cold. The Ipomoeas are very desirable plants for cultivation in pots for conservatory decora- 

 tion. Under any circumstances, they require a soil well enriched with rotten manure. 



/. Coccinaa (Star Ipomoea), a handsome variety of free growth and profuse blooming habit, 

 especially after midsummer. Small, bright scarlet flowers that are very attractive. Does quite 

 well, ordinarily, by sowing in the open ground, towards the end of May. /. Hederacea grandi- 

 flora includes several beautiful varieties, with flowers somewhat similar to the Morning Glory, 

 but much larger and of the most delicate colors, such as light blue, blue with a white edge, 

 blue with a purple center, white with pink center, and white shaded with purplish red. They 

 are exceedingly handsome and well repay the care necessary to rear them. /. Quamoclit 

 (Cypress Vine), an exceedingly beautiful variety that, for elegance of foliage, gracefulness of 

 habit, and loveliness of flowers, is without a rival among annual climbing plants, although it is 

 quite tender. There are scarlet, white and rose-colored flowers, which open in the morning, 

 and contrast delightfully with the rich green, delicate cut foliage. 



IRIS FLOWER DE LUCE (Hardy Perennial Bulbs aud Tubers). 



Garden plants of elegant habit and beautiful flowers, comprising several divisions those 

 most commonly met with being the English and Spanish Iris, which are bulbous, and the 

 German Iris, well-known hardy, tuberous perennials, generally known by the name of Flag 

 Lily, and which thrive in any garden soil. 



ENGLISH AND SPANISH IRIS. This division includes numerous varieties, flowering in June, 

 which embrace the most delicate shades of light and dark blue, brown, purple, yellow, white, 

 and variously striped and spotted flowers of exceedingly handsome appearance. The bulbs 

 should be planted in autumn, with Hyacinths, Tulips and other hardy bulbs (see directions, page 

 14), and need not be taken up oftener than once in three years. Are also desirable for pot cul- 

 ture in winter (see "Culture of Hyacinths and other Hardy Bulbs for Winter Decoration," page 

 2i). The English varieties are of more robust growth than the Spanish, but in other respects 

 quite similar. 



GERMAN IRIS. These are valuable plants for the garden, being of the easiest culture in any 

 soil, and produce many beautiful flowers in the spring. There are numerous varieties, of various 

 colors and shades of yellow, blue, purple, white and salmon some distinctly of one color, and 

 others striped, spotted and tipped with various colors. The tubers grow rapidly and should be 

 taken up once every three or four years, and be reset. 



IVY HEDERA (Hardy and Tender Perennials). 



I take pleasure in introducing a full page plate of Ivy foliage, considerably reduced in size, 

 upon which are represented some of the most distinct and interesting varieties of this useful 

 family of plants. Sometimes I think the reason why Ivies are not grown in every home is, 

 because amateurs have not all seen or became acquainted with their admirable adaptability to 

 house culture. In the first place the Ivy naturally delights in a situation partially or wholly 

 shaded from the sun, which allows of its growing or being trained for.it is climbing in habit 

 in any part of the room, and at a distance from the window; then again, wholly unlike 

 many plants, it is not at all particular as regards temperature, or if the atmosphere be dry or 

 damp ; frosts do not affect it, as it is evergreen, and all the varieties are nearly, some quite, 

 hardy in the latitude of Buffalo, and, on the other hand, it bears 75 or upwards of heat 

 with impunity. The plant requires but little attention, is exceptionally free of insects and 



