Blue Flowers 215 



COMMELINA (C. ccdestis). i ft. A half hardy perennial, blooming 

 the first season from seed in August, bearing deep- blue flowers that 

 last but a day. It is not very satisfactory, save for its glorious blue 

 color. The roots are small tubers, and can be kept over winter like 

 Dahlias and planted out in the spring. Give a rich soil and partial 

 shade. If in a sheltered position and roots are heavily mulched, they 

 will stand the winter. I have carried mine over. 



GALEGA, GOAT'S RUE (G. officinalis). 3 ft. A blue variety. For de- 

 scription and culture, see Galega, White Per., June. 



HESPERIS, DAME ROCKET (H. matronalis). 3 ft. A purplish-lilac 

 variety; for culture, see Hesperis, White Per., June. 



IRIS. Spanish (7. xiphium). 2 ft. Comes in blue, white and yellow; 

 later than German Iris. For culture, see I. Spanish, White Per., June. 



IRIS. English (7. xiphoides). 2 ft. In a rich reddish purple. For 

 culture, see I. English, White Per., June. 



IRIS. Siberian (7. Siberica). 2 ft. One of the best varieties when 

 well established; bears light-blue flowers in great profusion. Culture 

 the same as for other Iris. 



KNAPWEED. Mountain (Centaurea nigra, var. montana; sold as 

 Centaurea montana or Per. Corn-flower). 3 ft. A coarse weedy plant 

 with large heads, but the ray flowers, though of a rich deep blue are 

 thin and wizened, which makes the bloom of little value. Grows any- 

 where and is self-sowing. 



LUPINE (Lupinus polyphyllus). 3 ft. A magnificent variety of peren- 

 nial Lupine in deep blue, purple and a dull tone of blue, which bears 

 from 10-20 great spikes of pea-shaped blossoms, followed by silvery 

 woolly seed-pods. It blooms a second time if the spikes are cut down 

 as soon as they are done blooming. For culture, see Lupine, White 

 Per., June. 



MEADOW BEAUTY (Rhexia Virginica). 9-12 in. Showy rosy purple 

 flowers with golden anthers. Good in bog or wet place. Propagate 

 by seed or division. 



PEONY (Pceonia ojficinalis, var. Bayard). Clear violet; P. var. Ar- 

 sene Meuret, lilac with violet border; P. var. Cameron, purple violet. 

 For culture, see Peony, White Per., June. 



PENTSTEMON (P. ovatus). 2-4 ft. An early-flowered variety, bloom- 

 ing in autumn of the first year if seeds are planted by May. It bears 

 open panicles of blue or purple flowers, and needs rich loam with ma- 

 nure, leaf mold and sand; should be watered if the season is dry, but 



