FLOWERS FOR THE HARDY GARDEN 



21 



Hollyhocks, continued 



No doubt the single forms are the more decorative, 

 but they do not come true from seed; the double 

 kinds are generally the more useful for garden 

 effects. And their quaint ruffled blossoms have a 

 charm all their own. 



Of late years the Hollyhock has been troubled 

 with one enemy, — the Hollyhock rust, which covers 

 the leaves with reddish spots, later causing them to 

 wither and drop oil'. In some districts this most 

 unsightly disease has been very virulent, while in 

 others it has never appeared. Spraying the under 

 sides of the leaves with bordeaux mixture or Fungine 

 early in the spring and several times during the 

 summer will generally prove a successful preventive, 

 and even check the disease to some extent after it 

 has broken out. Examine the plants often and pick 

 off and burn any leaf on which the disease shows 

 signs of appearing. 



Besides the fine new rose-colored variety, "New- 

 port Pink," 1 offer double sorts in the following 

 colors: white, pale yellow, crimson, and maroon- 

 black. Also single sorts in mixture. 



Hypericum • St. John's- Wort 



Moserianum. This very beautiful and little- 

 known plant is really a small shrub, though it seldom 

 Srovvs higher than 2 feet, and is generally killed 

 back near the ground in the winter, springing up 

 from the base the following spring. The stems 

 arch outward, and are clothed with smooth, oblong, 

 leathery leaves, symmetrically placed the whole 

 length of the spike. The (lowers are 2 inches across, 

 shaped like a single rose, of a rich, glistening yellow. 

 At their centers there is a wide-spreading cluster of 

 yellow stamens, surrounding a crimson-tipped stig- 

 ma. They are borne in clusters at the tips of the 

 stems and keep appearing for most of the summer. 

 One of the most charming and distinct of low- 

 growing yellow perennials. Should have some 

 protection in winter. Fine for cutting and very 

 graceful in masses near the edge of the border, 

 especially in front of the paler blue delphiniums. 

 Space 1 ft. 



Incarvillea ■ Hardy Gloxinia 



Delavayi. An unusual and striking plant recently 

 introduced from China. It has a very large, tuberous 

 root resembling a dahlia, which in -in astonishingly 

 short time sends up large, spreading, deeply cut 

 leaves and smooth flower-stems 18 inches tall, 

 crowned with a horizontal cluster of tubular flowers, 

 with flaring mouths, not unlike the common trumpet 

 vine in shape. They are a deep rose-pink, which, 

 though ol a tone approaching magenta, is a rather 

 rich and by no means an offensive shade. Should 

 be well protected during the winter, or lifted and 

 stored in sand. Space I ft. 25 cts. each. 



Iris • Flag, or Fleur-de-Lis 



From the time when it figured in Greek mythology to the day when it was made the emblem 

 ol royal France, and on through the long years to the present time, the Iris has always been surrounded 

 with an atmosphere ol story and tradition, as well as of study and devotion of a more scientific sort. Most 

 people arc lamiliar enough with the common "blue flag," but because of that very familiarity, they seldom 

 trouble to notice the qualities that it has in common with all the rest of the great Iris family -the unique 

 and elaborate structure o the flowers, their exquisite velvety or frosty texture, their richness and purity of 

 color and the splendid decorative e lect ol their clean-cut, sword-like foliage, and bold spikes of bloom. 

 1 he llovver ol chivalry, wrote Ruskm, "with a sword for its leaf and a lily "for its heart " 



Amateurs who devote their time and enthusiasm to gathering together a collection of greenhouse 

 Orchids, or other rare exotics, had far better turn their attention to the Iris. Here is a plant as hardy as a 

 dandelion, and as easily grown as a potato, yet which offers a wealth of beauty in a variety and "We 

 that is almost endless. The diminutive Iris crisluta is hardly 5 inches tall, while the noble Iris ochroleuai 

 is as many leet. The Siberian Irises have blossoms of the utmost fragility and delicacy, while the ttis 



KMempJen, from Japan, has great, massive blooms, sometimes a foot across.' 



In color, the Ins can show almost every conceivable shade except scarlet and pure blue, while there- 

 are varieties lor every situation from the driest bank to the marshiest spot by the brookside. Does not 

 tins suggest a rich field lor anyone who makes Iris-growing his hobby? One can judge how real is the fas- 

 cinatmn ol such a pastime when we remember how the late Sir Michael Foster practically devoted his 

 Ulet. me to the study and development of this noble plant. With no commercial aim in view, he ori^i- 



