21G THE GARDENER. [May 



last. All are white flowered. The two first named begin to flower in 

 April, the last in May. 



Viola odorata. — In a selection of this kind the universal favourite 

 cannot be omitted ; for although not of any use for the mere decora- 

 tion of the flower-garden, it is indispensable among spring flowers on 

 account of its delicious fragrance. There are numerous varieties, but 

 the Czar, the Giant, and Queen Victoria, being larger flowered than 

 most of the others, are best worth growing : their flower-stalks are stout 

 and long in proportion to their flowers, and therefore so much better 

 for cutting and making up when cut. 



Orobus vernus. — A very beautiful plant, growing to the height of 

 about 1 foot, compact and neat. The flowers are bright purple-red, 

 and very profuse, appearing in April and May. 



Oxytropis uralensis. — A very neat and compact plant, with pretty, 

 silky, grey leaves, growing only a few inches high, and bearing numer- 

 ous racemes of bright purple flowers in May. 



Saxifraga crassifolia. — A rather large and coarse-leaved plant, but 

 very free-flowering ; and as the flowers last well when cut, it is well 

 worth growing where cut flowers are in demand in spring. S. hypnoides; 

 one of the mossy section of this valuable genus, closely carpeting the 

 ground with bright verdure throughout the year, and clothing itself 

 with bright, large white flowers during April and May. S. oppositi- 

 folia : this is one of the prettiest, as it is one of the earliest, of spring 

 flowers. The flowers are large, bright rosy-purple, and there is a 

 fine white companion variety, both of which should be in every 

 garden where spring flowers are desired. In early seasons the flowers 

 open in February, but more generally in March, and last well through 

 April. 



Aster alpinus. — A very neat growing plant of about 9 inches in 

 height, with large purplish-blue flowers, which, along with its white- 

 flowered variety, should be in every garden. It begins to bloom in 

 May, and lasts for several months. 



Daisies, in all their variety and profusion of flower, cannot be 

 omitted from a list of spring flowers of the most ornamental character ; 

 they are indispensable to the spring-flower gardener. 



Doronicum caucasicum.— A very gay plant, with large, bright yellow 

 flowers, growing about 9 inches high, which open in May, and con- 

 tinue for about six weeks. 



Erica carnea. — One of the earliest and best of this fine family, grow- 

 ing only a few inches high. It may often be seen in flower in early 

 winter in mild seasons; and if the weather is favourable, it continues to 

 flower till June. The flowers are rose, purplish, or white, according to 

 the particular variety, of which there are several. E. australis and E. 

 mediterranea are early-flowering sorts which are also valuable in the 

 spring months. 



Vinca major and V. minor are very pretty and free-blooming plants 



