Plate 389. 
NEW PENTSTEMONS. 
The Pentstemon is a favourite garden plant with many, and it is largely used for 
securing a display of flowers through the summer and autumn. It is as generous in the 
production of blossoms as it is free of growth, and plants that are well cultivated will 
grow into large size, and bloom continuously for a long period. 
The two new varieties now figured are from the collection of Messrs. Downie and 
Laird, Westcoates Nursery, Edinburgh, the foremost raisers of this and other hardy and 
popular garden flowers. Lord Macdonald (fig. 1) has a finely-formed rich-crimson tube, 
and a white throat marked with crimson lines. Miss Dean (fig. 2) has a tube of a 
rosy-magenta colour, with a pure white throat. We have had to reduce the size of the 
spikes of bloom and the individual flowers to bring them within the dimensions of the 
plate ; and the foregoing, with other fine varieties received from Edinburgh, were charac- 
terized by large size, fine form, smoothness, and striking colours. 
The Pentstemon will stand through our ordinary winters unharmed. The winter of 
1878-9, following hard on the heels of an unusually wet autumn, killed many plants; 
but it was an exceptional winter in which subjects, reputed to be hardy, went down 
before the severity of a wintry attack, happily of an unusually hard character. 
Plate 390. 
IRIS KiEMPFERI, SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE. 
Can anything be more truly magnificent in the way of a hardy garden plant than the 
splendid variety of Iris Keempferi, sketched with so much spirit by Mr. J. N. Fitch, 
from the fine collection in the hands of Messrs. James Yeitch and Sons, Exotic Nurseries, 
Chelsea? The flowers are of very large size, the colour rich deep purple, with white 
lines, and spotted with orange on each segment. 
Since the introduction of the original types of this new race of the Japanese flag 
Iris, the varieties have increased with great rapidity; and we are indebted to Max 
Leitchlin, Esq., of Baden-Baden, and others, for so much that is at once beautiful in 
hue, imposing in form, and of great decorative value in our gardens. They are, without 
exception, the most gorgeous of all the Irises, but as they do not flower freely in all 
soils, it is necessary to prepare it, so as to secure good blooms. The natural soil, when 
unsuitable, should be removed, and replaced with a mixture of sandy peat and loam, 
which gives a condition of soil in which this Iris flourishes. A free growth should be 
encouraged during the summer, after planting, so as to produce the fine vivid, open 
foliage which is indicative of robust health ; and when the plants are established they 
will flower profusely. 
