Blue Flowers 215 
ComMELINA (C. celestis). 1 ft. A half hardy perennial, blooming 
the first season from seed in August, bearing deep-blue flowers that 
last but a day. It is not very satisfactory, save for its glorious blue 
color. The roots are small tubers, and can be kept over winter like 
Dahlias and planted out in the spring. Give a rich soil and partial 
shade. If in a sheltered position and roots are heavily mulched, they 
will stand the winter. I have carried mine over. 
Gateca, Goat’s RvE (G. officinalis). 3 ft. A blue variety. For de- 
scription and culture, see Galega, White Per., June. 
Hesperis, Dame Rocket (H. matronalis). 3 ft. A purplish-lilac 
variety; for culture, see Hesperis, White Per., June. 
Iris. Spanish (I. xiphium). 2 ft. Comes in blue, white and yellow; 
later than German Iris. For culture, see I. Spanish, White Per., June. 
Tris. English (J. xiphoides). 2 ft. In a rich reddish purple. For 
culture, see I. English, White Per., June. 
Iris. Siberian (J. Siberica). 2 ft. One of the best varieties when 
well established; bears light-blue flowers in great profusion. Culture 
the same as for other Iris. 
KNAPWEED. Mountain (Centaurea nigra, var. montana; sold as 
Centaurea montana or Per. Corn-flower). 3 ft. A coarse weedy plant 
with large heads, but the ray flowers, though of a rich deep blue are 
thin and wizened, which makes the bloom of little value. Grows any- 
where and is self-sowing. 
Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus). 3 ft. A magnificent variety of peren- 
nial Lupine in deep blue, purple and a dull tone of blue, which bears 
from 10-20 great spikes of pea-shaped blossoms, followed by silvery 
woolly seed-pods. It blooms a second time if the spikes are cut down 
as soon as they are done blooming. For culture, see Lupine, White 
Per., June. 
Meapow Beauty (Rhexia Virginica). 9-12in. Showy rosy purple 
flowers with golden anthers. Good in bog or wet place. Propagate 
by seed or division. 
Prony (Peonia officinalis, var. Bayard). Clear violet; P. var. Ar- 
sene Meuret, lilac with violet border; P. var. Cameron, purple violet. 
For culture, see Peony, White Per., June. 
PENTSTEMON (P. ovatus). 2-4 ft. An early-flowered variety, bloom- 
ing in autumn of the first year if seeds are planted by May. It bears 
open panicles of blue or purple flowers, and needs rich loam with ma- 
nure, leaf mold and sand; should be watered if the season is dry, but 
