116 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



Iberis — Candytuft 



Candytuft, a low growing evergreen shrub, is in reality one of the 

 best flowers in its class. It grows from 9 inches to 12 inches high and 

 spreads out making low mats which are covered with flat, dense clus- 

 ters of the purest of white flowers. This perennial Candytuft {Iberis 

 sempervirens) comes into bloom the last part of April and lasts through 

 June. /. gibraltarica is the largest of the Candytufts, but is somewhat 

 more straggly in growth. It is very showy because the clusters of white 

 flowers are deeply tinted rose lavender. The foKage of Candytuft is 

 evergreen, which makes the plant attractive throughout the year. 

 This is the larger and showier of the two species, but is not as hardy . 



Uses. Candytuft, besides being one of the best white flowers for 

 cutting, is also invaluable to use in rock gardens, to cover bare spots, 

 to use in beds. Candytuft, with its evergreen foliage, is one of the 

 best plants grown for edging purposes. Some of the varieties are fra- 

 grant, which makes them more useful as cut flowers. The plants are 

 used in hanging baskets, porch boxes and are grown as pot plants. 



Culture. The plants form a dense mat and when once estab- 

 lished should not be moved. They do best in the sunshine. A 

 moderately rich soil and plenty of water are the most important re- 

 quirements. If the true /. gibraltarica is grown, it will need careful 

 protection in the northern states. 



Propagation. Those plants grown from seed, are usually strag- 

 gly the first year. They are easy to raise from seed, which germ- 

 inate in two weeks, but the best plants are obtained from cuttings 

 which root easily. Cuttings should be made in September and win- 

 tered over in a coldframe where they can be kept moist. 



Iris — Flag 



It is a peculiarity of an Iris lover that he does not like to have an 

 Iris called a Flag, although most persons call these flowers by that 

 name. With the advent of new varieties the Iris is gaining in popu- 

 larity from year to year. A national society honors this flower and 

 many cities have Iris clubs. The exquisite colors and the unrivaled 

 form have attracted many flower lovers. A collection of the varieties 

 is a veritable rainbow of soft colors. 



Bearded, or German Iris. The most cultivated group of Irises 

 are the bearded sorts, all of which have thick, fleshy, underground 



