[96 



Garden and Forest. 



[Number 325. 



I. biflora, the I. nudicaulis of the Botanical Magazine — the 

 former from eastern Europe and the latter from Portugal. 

 The I. aphylla is of a reddish purple, and I. biflora a rich dark 

 blue-purple. I. Balkana is still another dwarf species with 

 cream-colored standards and whiter falls, which are stained 

 lilac. This has a very prominent orange beard, and is an at- 

 tractive species when in flower. None of the dwarf Irises 

 show their full effectiveness except when well established 

 and flowering freely in masses. 



In my calendar of dwarf Irises I must not neglect to notice 

 an Asia Minor species, sent out two years since, by Mr. 

 Whittall, and as yet unnamed, but botanically said to be near 

 I. mellita. This has very prominent standards of a rather dull 

 yellow, prettily marked at the base with brown. The falls, 

 lined on the claw and with prominent yellow beards, are of the 

 peculiar color known to china decorators as gray-gold. Near 

 the claw there is also a touch of light blue. Altogether this is 



appear the Italian form, I. Germanica semperflorens, a dark 

 purple flower, more reddish than the common type and 

 dwarfer. This does not appear to carry out the expectations 

 realized by its specific name, apparently given by Damman. 



In the greenhouse has been flowering for some time the in- 

 teresting Irid, Marica ccerulea, which is a handsome Flag from 

 Brazil. It is an attractive greenhouse-plant, with Flag-like 

 leaves nearly three feet tall, and out of flower is a desirable 

 plant. It flowers on tall, winged stems, from which, near the 

 tip, the flowers are borne on short peduncles with three or 

 more flowers. These are fugacious, but attractive. They 

 have the form of Tigridias (with bowl-like depressions), and 

 the outer segments are clear pure blue, at base being veined 

 with brown. The inner segments contain tints of blue, 

 white and chocolate. This has flourished in the greenhouse 

 among a general collection of plants, and I presume, from my 

 experience, offers no cultural difficulties. 



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Fig- 35.— Bumelia Palmeri. — See page 195. 



a very distinct plant, of which I shall soon have a small 

 surplus to distribute to those interested. 



The first of the taller Irises of the year are just appearing, 

 the blue Iris Sibirica, var. orientalis, leading the van. This, 

 which is also grown as I. sanguinea and I. hsematophylla, is 

 one of the hardiest and best of garden Irises, having short 

 creeping rhizomes, which are not affected by an excess of 

 moisture. The grass-like foliage has tints of red, and the 

 plentiful flowers are dark blue. The falls have white signals 

 lined with blue. A daintier-flowered tall kind is I. oxypetala, 

 which is a variety of I. ensata ; this has narrow foliage, and 

 small, though beautiful, light lilac-colored flowers. The falls, 

 which are narrow, are veined with green. This variety can be 

 commended as a distinct beauty. 



The first of the showy German Irises also are opening their 

 flowers this week, I. Germanica alba and a larger-flowered 

 hybrid of the same color being the first to unfold. With these 



Diplarrhena Moraea is also an interesting Irid from Aus- 

 tralia, which occasionally gives one a glance of its small white 

 flowers, with purple styles, these lasting only a few hours. 

 This plant is very tenacious of life, thriving in conditions of 

 dryness which would almost discourage a Cactus. 

 Elizabeth, N. J. 7- N. Gerard. 



Flower-garden Notes. 



IN this most delightful season of the year herbaceous plants 

 of all kinds are starting into growth, many of them with 

 surprising vigor, and most of the hardy bulbous plants are in 

 bloom. The Narcissus season is about past ; only the later 

 forms of the Poet's Narcissus are to follow, and these will not 

 be over until after Decoration Day, at which time they are al- 

 ways highly useful. 



It is a matter of regret that the many new forms of Spanish 



