174 THE GARDENER. [April 



The flowers are numerous, consisting in the simple form of only two 

 sepals and two petals, but in the double variety the petals are in- 

 definitely increased. The other variety is C. M. variegata, and is dis- 

 tinguished from the species by having the foliage marked with creamy 

 yellow. There is also a white-flowered variety, which may not be 

 considered much of an acquisition where the others are cultivated, and 

 there is a number of botanically interesting varieties, the species being 

 of a variable nature ; flowers from April and May till October ; native 

 of Britain. 



Meeonqpsis. — This is a very interesting and beautiful genus. The 

 species are few in number, and, with the exception of the first of the 

 two selected, are very rare plants in cultivation. They delight in a 

 rich light sandy loam, and succeed best on rockwork in partial shade. 

 Propagate by division or by seeds in spring : the latter method is the 

 best and most certain of keeping up stock, especially of the last of the 

 selected species. 



M. cambrica. — This species grows erect about a foot high, with pin- 

 nate, pale green, slightly hairy leaves on long stalks, the segments 

 deeply cut. Flowers on long stalks, large, pale yellow. Flowers 

 from June throughout the summer. It must have a good depth of 

 soil on rockwork, but well drained, and be well supplied with mois- 

 ture in the growing season. Native of western Europe, also Ireland, 

 Wales, and western counties of England. 



M. WallicTiii, a species of grand interest and beauty. It grows 

 erect, 3 or 4 feet high, the stems and leaves somewhat glaucous, and 

 densely clothed with long rusty hairs. The lower leaves are 9 inches 

 or a foot long, and stalked, but diminish in size, and ultimately become 

 stalkless as they ascend the stem. Flowers large, pale blue, nodding 

 on short stalks, and arranged in long terminal leafy racemes. Flowers 

 in July, and throughout the remainder of summer and early autumn. 

 Native of Sikkim Himalaya. It is with some diffidence I recommend 

 this grandest of Meconopsis as a hardy herbaceous perennial. Some 

 eighteen or twenty years ago it was first introduced into this country, 

 and flowered at Kew, but died immediately after. Once again, eight 

 years subsequently, it was grown at Kew ; and the stock raised from 

 the imported seed was considerable, and was distributed among 

 several botanic gardens in this country, a few being reserved for 

 culture in the herbaceous department at Kew. Three or four of those 

 reserved were cultivated under various treatment — in pots in a cold 

 pit, in the open ground along with other Papaveraceae, and in a small 

 reserve ground attached to the herbaceous department, intersected 

 with hedges ; and here it was grown in pots plunged in the soil, and 

 also planted out, shaded also and exposed to the mid-day sun. The 



