1873.] NOTES ON HARDY FLOWERS. 213 



NOTES 0]Sr HARDY FLOWERS. 



Aquilegia aiirea. — This is a new introduction from the Rocky Moun- 

 tains. It is closely related to A. Canadensis, and in habit of growth, 

 foliage, and height resembles that species. The flowers are, however, 

 pale straw-coloured ; and being a free-flowering plant, it will form a very 

 desirable contrast to the blues and reds of other species and varieties. 

 It appears to be as easily cultivated as any of its congeners, and quite 

 as hardy. 



Fritillaria tulipifolia. — This is one of those hardy flowers that may 

 be described as peculiar and striking rather than beautiful or ornamen- 

 tal j but being a spring flower, it will be of interest to amateurs and 

 others who delight in variety of character independently of showy 

 colours. The flowers are solitary, drooping, large, and like an inverted 

 Tulip, very dark or brown, purple inside, and milky blue outside. It 

 is very hardy, and grows freely in common garden soil. Native of the 

 Caucasus. 



Campanula medium calycantliema. — The Canterbury Bell, though 

 a favourite flower, and cultivated of old with more zest than now, has 

 not improved, nor had any very striking feature added to it till within 

 the last few years. The pale-rose varieties are the most marked im- 

 provement in colour that have been introduced for a generation or two, 

 but we can now speak of an alteration in the calyx in the present 

 subject, which adds a new interest and value to this old-fashioned 

 flower. In this new variety of Canterbury Bell, the calyx is petal-like 

 in colour, and to some extent it approaches the petal in size also, being 

 much enlarged. At present the calyx is the same colour as the petal — 

 blue or white, as the case may be ; but a rose coloured calyx and white 

 petal, or a blue petal and white calyx, or vice versa, may be amongst 

 the possibilities of the not very distant future. 



Myosotis aljncola. — This is a diminutive but very pretty Forget- 

 me-Not. It forms a neat tuft about 3 inches high, with small dark- 

 green hairy leaves and deep-blue flowers, slightly fragrant — the latter 

 quality most noticeable at night. It is best adapted to pot-culture 

 among choice Alpines in a cold frame. The protection of a frame in 

 winter is of most importance, because it is apt to perish of wet in the 

 open ground. In summer, when making its growth, it will bear abun- 

 dance of water, and must have it in plenty if free growth is to be en- 

 couraged, but the drainage should be very good. On well- constructed 

 rockwork it will succeed better than on level borders, and may be left 

 out in winter if care is taken to cover it in prolonged wet weather 

 with a cloche or bell glass. Gritty loam is the most congenial soil for 

 it. It is an old plant, but rare. 



Pentstemon heterophyllus. — Beautiful and numerous as are the 



