GARDENS NEAR THE SEA 



more slender and tinged with blood-red. The flowers 

 are intensely blue, the color being first betrayed by 

 the rich tones of the buds. From about the first to 

 the tenth of June, these irises blossom with great 

 generosity, seldom lagging or showing aught but a 

 keen desire to serve the garden. They are admirably 

 adapted for naturalization near water, although they 

 also do well in comparatively dry places. 



After the Siberians have withered, the English 

 irises claim attention. They produce mostly four 

 flowers on a stem, and although their colors include 

 lilac, blue, rose, and purple, it may be that the pure 

 white ones are most lovely. Flowers of the Mont 

 Blanc variety are frequently over four inches across 

 their centers. 



As with the Spanish varieties, there is some doubt 

 about the complete hardiness of the English irises; 

 but to cover them with litter in the autumn is a simple 

 way out of the difficulty. The spring is the accepted 

 time for their planting. 



When all has been said about the many groups of 

 irises, and when all praise has been given to their 

 multitudinous charms, there is still the Japanese iris, 

 /. laevigata, or Kcempferi, which has yet to find its rival 

 under the sun. It is the iris of irises — the one most 

 beautiful. It reserves its flower until late in the season, 

 opening first in late June or early July. When happily 

 situated, as in the water garden, it is not unusual for 

 its blooms to measure from ten to twelve inches in 

 width. 



The ideal treatment for the noble group of laevigata 



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