FLOWER GARDENING 



237 



surface of the soil or partly covered by it. A good example is found 

 in the common peppermint or in Solomon's seal. The sweet flag, 

 which grows in wet grounds and sends up double-edged, sword- 

 shaped leaves, has an aromatic rootstock and flowers 

 early in the summer. The iris, or flower-de-luce, is 

 another good example of 

 a hardy rhizome. Some 

 of the best-known varie- 

 ties of the iris are the 

 blue flag, the yellow iris, 

 Japanese iris, dwarf gar- 

 den iris, and Persian iris. 

 They are often used for border effects along walks and around 

 flower beds. 



Herbs are plants with stems that die down to the ground every 

 year after blossoming and at the approach of cold weather. These 

 are grouped by florists as annuals, biennials, and perennials, and 

 each of these groups are subdivided in three subclasses as follows: 



Rhizome. 



Of the annuals there are several hundred varieties which may be 

 grown with but little difficulty. The China asters, California 

 poppies, candytuft, balsams, hibiscus, phlox, petunias, pinks, 

 sweet peas, nasturtiums, verbenas, morning-glories, mignonette, 

 sweet alyssum, chrysanthemums, datura, larkspurs, marigolds, and 

 zinnias are annuals that may be grown easily. The list of bien- 



