86 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



gigantea is the giant of the family, throwing up its flower stems 

 to a height of nearly six feet, the flowers white and yellow, whilst 

 I. Jlonnieri and Z awea are two pure yellow tall growing species 

 of more than ordinary interest. 



Several hybrids, too, between Mbntiieri a^d spuria, classified 

 under the name Monspur are among the best late irises. The 

 iris season finishes with the flowering of the Japanese kinds, 

 forms innumerable and of exceeding variation in the species laevi- 

 gata or Kaemjoferi^ and what a glorious climax to the whole. 

 There is no need to describe these, only to say, although semi- 

 aquatic they appear just as much at home right out in the open 

 sunlight in the ordinary soil of the garden, if it is of fair depth, 

 so that we need not be prevented from planting these in the iris 

 garden contiguous to, or commingled with, the many types before 

 enumerated. 



The bulbous irises and that quaintly beautiful class to which 

 the mourning iris, Susiana., belongs have been intentionally 

 omitted from this suggested iris garden because they call for 

 special treatment and particular choice of situation. Given the 

 right conditions, a striking feature might be made of these alone 

 but not quite as long lasting. 



The usual mixed planting of hardy flowers is often made in 

 some more or less obscure spot, for the reason that as the varied 

 subjects pass out of flower the appearance of the border is not of 

 the best. There is nothing detrimental in the aspect of the iris 

 garden as all have good, persistent foliage which alone is not lack- 

 ing beauty from the time the green spears are thrxist iipwards in 

 spring till they turn yellow and decay in the fall. 



Peonies and lilies^ happy in appropriate association, replete 

 in variety, may be suggested for another special extensive plant- 

 ing, a garden of them in fact. The peony needs no eulogium 

 here as it is one of the hardiest and best appreciated of hardy 

 garden flowers, something you can plant and leave alone for a 

 number of years. There is an unlimited choice from which to 

 plant wisely and well. A careful selection of the best should be 

 made, not however forgetting some of the species like the Chinese 

 albiflora with its great single, white flowers, as large as a plate, 

 and varieties in other colors that have been raised from it. Other 



