70 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



scape ; intolerable nuisance to the farmer, but a thing of beauty 

 to the artist. 



Our swamps are fragrant with the honeysuckle azalea (Azalea 

 viscosa), the sweet pepper-bush {Clethra alnifolia), and the cool 

 woods of the north still have the mountain laurel. The shrubby 

 cinquefoil or hardback (Poteatilla) is equally effective from the 

 utilitarian and artistic standpoint in the western part of the state. 

 The buttonball ( CephakmtJuis) is showy now and we are to be 

 congratulated that we are commencing to appreciate its midsum- 

 mer beauty. Our home grounds are happy with their collection 

 of Adam's needles or Yuccas, the white kerria (Hhodott/pos), 

 bladder sennas (Colutea), St. John's-worts (Ht/pei'tcioii), sorrel 

 tree {Oxyde?idrum), th&t old but beautiful dwarf horse-chestnut 

 {yEsculus parviflora)^ and the climbing clematis and honey- 

 suckles. In the flower border the peonies are still making a 

 Ungering effect in a vain effort to vanquish its coming rival, the 

 phlox, which from now on till the time of Michaelmas daisies and 

 chrysanthemums will have first place. Japanese irises, however, 

 hold temporary sway with their gorgeous coloring and immense 

 size of bloom. Larkspurs, too, are old and indispensable favoiites 

 with their showy spikes of rich, deep hued flowers. 



Marshmallows {Hibiscus) are now wondrous in the size of 

 their richly colored flowers, and the cardinal-flower {Lobelia 

 cardinalis) is most brilliant in its coloring. Of the lesser lights 

 of the garden plume poppies (bocconia)^ bowraan's-root {Gil- 

 lenia)^ chalk-plant {Gypsophila), valerian {Centixmthus), Oswego 

 tea {Monarda didyma)^ giant harebell {Platycodon)^ Dictamnus, 

 and blackberry-hly {Belemcanda) are all showy in bright hues of 

 color. Gaillardias still show their varied flowers and Cassia, 

 Anthemis, Asclepias, and Centaurea add theu* variety. Yellow 

 flowers now become over abundant. Helianthus, Rudbeckias or 

 ox-eye daisies. Coreopsis, and Helenium all bearing yellow flowers 

 in profusion. Fortunately, by carefully selecting color, variety 

 can be obtained from the list above or to it can be added the 

 white or giant dais}' {Pyrethrum tdiginosnm), sea hollies {Eryn- 

 gium), Echinops, and speedwells ( Veronica). The tender plants 

 are now gaining strength to add in varied color of flower and 

 fohage to meet all needs. In bulbs, lilies. Hall's amaryllis 



