130 THE FLORIST. 



if a little sheltered ; but it is better to keep it in pots in a cold frame, as it 

 thrives with greater vigour. It is cultivated at Kew in shallow pans, about a 

 foot in diameter, and a few inches deep, with about half a dozen plants in each, 

 which form a compact mass; and when in flower they have a pretty appearance, 

 and can be easily removed to any other station, if that be desired. It is a very 

 distinct species, having hairy cordate leaves, and a flower-stalk nearly afoot high, 

 with an umbel of reddish-purple coloured flowers. 



Primula capitata. This is one of the handsomest of all the tribe ; it may 

 be cultivated successfully in a cold frame, potted in sandy loam and peat, one 

 plant in each pot, which may be placed in a saucer containing a little water 

 while the plant is growing. Numerous specimens of it are (May) in great per- 

 fection at Kew, treated as above ; the flower-stalks are very stout, one to each 

 crown on the plant ; they are erect, about a foot high, with a compact close head 

 of bluish-purple flowers; two inches in diameter. This species has the habit and 

 resemblance of P. farinosa, with each single flower half an inch across. 



P. siKKiMENSis. This is likewise a very interesting and distinct kind; it 

 answers admirably for cultivation in a cold frame ; the flowers are of a buff"- 

 yellow, each about half an inch in diameter. 



Armeria cephalotes. Although hardy, this species is very suitable for 

 cultivating in shallow pots or pans in a cold frame, as it thrives there with more 

 vigour, and produces much larger flowers. It is one of the best of the genus ; it 

 is an old plant in gardens, having been introduced many years ago from Portu- 

 gal ; it is allied to the Statices. Being a dwarf-growing kind, three or four 

 plants should be planted in one pan, in order to ensure a good mass of bloom. 

 The plant grows about six inches high, and has a flower-stalk a foot or more 

 long, with a globose head of pink or lightish-rose coloured flowers. 



Edwardsia grandiflora. Amongst half-hardy deciduous shrubs, this is 

 one which, for beauty of foliage and profusion of flowers, can scarcely be sur- 

 passed. In the south of England it stands without shelter when planted against 

 a south wall ; in other aspects it requires only slight protection, as, for example, 

 a mat covering over the branches, and a little loose fern against the lower part 

 of the plant during severe weather in winter. It attains the height of about ten 

 feet ; the flowers appear before the foliage, and are in short pendulous racemes, 

 each flower being large, about two inches long, and of a bright yellow. There 

 are various plants of it at Kew, trained on east and south walls, and they are 

 literally covered with their showy flowers. 



Veronica repens. A little dwarf creeping evergreen herbaceous plant, 

 scarcely exceeding an inch high ; the flowers are large for the size of the plant, 

 and of a violet colour. It should be planted near the margin of a bed or border, 

 otherwise it would be lost sight of. A very nice edging may be formed with it, 

 as it grows freely in light peaty soil, and looks exceedingly neat at all times, 

 especially during its flowering season, which is May and June. 



Iris pumila. This is one of the dwarfest of the genus, it scarcely attains 

 the height of six inches ; it has large flowers of a purple and blue colour. It is 

 admirably adapted for forming patches near the margin of beds, borders, or 

 clumps, growing freely in light soil, and has a very neat appearance when in 

 flower. 



Iris prj^cox. This grows about nine inches high, and with I. pumila forms 

 a good contrast, the flowers being of a palish yellow. It grows freely in light 

 soil, and soon forms dense patches. 



CoRYDALis NOBiLis. A Very handsome-flowering hardy deciduous herba- 

 ceous plant, growing about a foot high, and in light soil forming a very com- 

 pact dwarf bush ; it flowers copiously, and has large dense heads of yellow 

 flowers, which have a very gay appearance. This species should be found in 

 every garden where there is a collection of herbaceous plants. 



Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. J. Houlston. 



