HARDY PLANTS. 
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are I. glandulosa, a native of the Caucasus, growing 2ft. high, 
and bearing orange-yellow flowers in July and August; I. 
grandiflora, from the Himalayas, growing 2ft. high, and bear- 
ing orange-yellow flowers in July; I. Helenium, a native 
species, height 3ft., flowers orange-yellow; I. Hookeri, native 
of Sikkim, height 2ft., flowers yellow and scented ; I. Oculus- 
Christi, native of E. Europe, height 2ft., flowers pale 
yellow; all flowering in summer. I. glandulosa is the best of 
the lot for border culture ; the others are more suitable for the 
wild garden. Plant in autumn or spring in good ordinary 
soil in sunny positions. Increased by seeds sown outdoors in 
April, or by division of the roots in October or March. 
lonopsidium (Violet Cress). — A very pretty hardy 
annual of miniature growth, rarely exceeding 2in. in height, 
and bearing dainty white flowers tinged with violet in summer. 
I. acaule is the only species, and this belongs to the Wall- 
flower order (Cruciferae). It is a native of Portugal. An easy 
plant to grow on a rockery or margin of a summer border. 
May also be grown as a carpeting beneath taller plants on the 
rockery. Scatter the seed thinly over the soil in April and 
lightly rake in. Two or three successive sowings may be 
made. 
Iris (Flag). — This is a very large genus of hardy plants, 
containing many species of diverse habits of growth. All 
belong to the Nat. Ord. Iridaceae. Irises are grouped in various 
sections as the Tall-bearded, Dwarf-bearded, Beardless, 
Japanese, and Bulbous-rooted. The Tall-bearded section are 
divided into several classes, as the Germanica, Amcena, 
neglecta, pallida, plicata or aphylla, squalens, and variegata. 
Commencing with the Tall-bearded section, we have here a 
race of very beautiful plants, with flag or sword-like leaves 
and creeping rhizomes, of which the Common Flag Iris is a 
good example. The flowers, moreover, are very handsome, 
being prettily mottled with various colours. The lower or 
drooping petals are bearded or crested at the base. They are 
all very hardy and free flowering, and do well in small or large 
gardens in good ordinary soil not over moist. A sunny or 
partially shady position is best for them. They are also 
splendid plants for naturalising in woodland and wild gardens, 
or by the sides of streams and ponds. They should be planted 
early in October or in March, and the rhizomes kept near 
the surface. .It is advisable to lift and replant in fresh soil 
every three or four years. As a guide to the reader in pro- 
curing varieties representative of the various classes previously 
mentioned, we will name half-a-dozen varieties of each. Ger- 
manica class : Common Blue Flag, alba, Kochii, Fontarabie, 
