26 



TWIN-LARCHES NURSERY, WEST CHESTER, PA. 



Iris Sibirica, continued 



useful both for cutting and for massing in the 

 garden and along the banks of streams. They are 

 hardy, increase rapidly, and will thrive in partial 

 shade. Orientalis, and its white form, Orientalis, 

 Snow Queen, are probably the most beautiful and 

 satisfactory varieties. Neither is fragrant. 



Orientalis (syn., Sanguinea). Finely formed 

 flower of the most intense violet-blue, — in large 

 masses a perfect sheet of dazzling color. The buds 

 are enclosed in curious crimson spathe-valves. A 

 splendid plant. Early June. 3 ft.; space I ft. 



Orientalis, Snow Queen. A very lovely flower. 

 Pure ivory-white with deep yellow blotches at the 

 bases of the falls. Thick, waxy petals, equal to 

 some of the best Japanese sorts. Similar in habit 

 to Orientalis. 25 cts. 



Some Iris Species 



Below are four beautiful and distinct Irises, all of 

 which are comparatively seldom seen in this 

 country. 



Aurea. Robust grower, 4 to 5 Teet tall, with very 

 long, curving leaves and branching (lower-spikes. 

 Large flowers of distinct shape, with thick, narrow 

 petals of pure deep yellow. Very decorative for 

 cutting. Prefers a rich, moist soil. Best planted in 

 spring. A native of the Himalayas. 35 cts. 



Cristata. The tiniest of Irises. A charming na- 

 tive species, with creeping stems, and exquisite 

 crested flowers of a clear, rich lavender-blue, rising 

 only a few inches from the dense mat of foliage. Ideal 

 for the rock-garden or for edging the border in well- 

 drained soil. Blooms in May. Space 6 in. 25 cts. 



Fulva. Another native American Iris of unique 

 coloring — rich coppery red flowers of curious form, 

 coming the last of June. Leaves almost evergreen. 

 Plant in well-drained soil. 18 in. 35 cts. 



Ochroleuca (syn., Orientalis gigantea). A very 

 noble Iris of form and habit similar to Aurea, 

 but an even more vigorous grower, with large ivory- 

 white blossoms, blotched with yellow at the base of 

 the falls. Appropriately called the "Gold-banded 

 Iris." Plant in spring. June and July. 5 ft.; space 

 2 ft. 35 cts. 



Lathyrus latifolius • Perennial Pea 



The best of low-growing herbaceous vines. Ex- 

 actly like the annual sweet pea in habit, leaf, and 

 individual flower, but the flowers of the perennial 

 varieties are borne in clusters of eight or ten and 

 are without fragrance. Its graceful, informal growth 

 makes it ideal for climbing over old stumps, or 

 rambling among rocks and low shrubs. And I do 

 not see why some llower-gardener could not take 

 the hint from Miss Jekyll, and use it in the border 

 to train over plants that have passed their prime 

 and are beginning to look unsightly, such as seeding 

 flower-stalks of gypsophila, anchusa or delphinium. 



White Pearl. This new variety is a splendid 

 improvement over the old sorts, both in the size of 

 the (lowers and in the purity of their color. The big, 

 snow-white, long-stemmed blooms are splendid for 

 cutting, and keep appearing nearly all summer, 

 beginning in June. 50 cts. each. 



Mertensia 



Virginia Cowslip; Bluebells 



Virginica. "The very embodiment of the fresh- 

 ness of early spring. Leaves of a full, pale green, 

 of a curious texture, smooth yet absolutely unreflect- 

 ing. The flowers are in terminal clusters, richly 

 filled; lesser clusters springing from the axils of the 

 last few leaves and joining with topmost ones to form 

 a gracefully drooping head. They are of a rare and 

 beautiful quality of coloring hard to describe . . . 

 a rainbow flower, of infinite variety and indescrib- 

 able charm." — From "Wood and Garden," by 

 Gertrude Jekyll. 



Again it remains for the foreigner to appreciate 

 one of our finest native wild flowers. Such praise 

 from an authority like Miss Jekyll must awaken 

 great expectations in every (lower-lover, yet I think 

 the Mertensia will satisfy them all. In delicacy of 

 color alone it is unique; the blossoms open a pale 

 pink, which quickly passes through lilac to clear 

 blue, of wonderful softness of tone. 



In its native state it is seen growing in friable, 

 alluvial soil along streams, in places that are usually 

 flooded for a short time in early spring; So in the 

 border it should flourish in any deep mellow soil, 

 where a good supply of moisture can be maintained 

 while the plant is making its growth. Later in the 

 summer, the whole plant dies off and disappears, 

 remaining dormant until the next spring. During 

 this period, it needs little water and during the whole 

 of its growth it can stand partial shade, 

 though this is by no means essential. In a 

 favorable situation the plants will spread 

 readily, forming large clumps which should 

 remain undisturbed for at least four or 

 five years. The Mertensia is most useful 

 for naturalizing, and in the garden it is 

 very charming, especially in connection 

 with Dicenlra spectubilis and the later 

 Holland bulbs. Mrs. Frances King sug- 

 gests combining it with that lovely tulip 

 "Le Reve" and 1 have no doubt that the 

 combination would be a most beautiful 

 one. In the meadows along the Brandy- 

 wine creek, near my nurseries, the Mer- 

 tensia grows luxuriantly, and it is a 

 welcome sight for any flower-lover to see 

 the great sheets of it in bloom early in 

 May. 12 to 18 in.; space 18 in. 



Unless otherwise noted, all plants in this catalog 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz., $10 per 100. 



