1870.] HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 175 



measure of success was greatest in the last-mentioned circumstances, 

 and least in the pit. The plants in pots plunged in shade were by far 

 the most vigorous, and flowered beautifully; but in every case the 

 plants began to show symptoms of decay as flowering ceased, and they 

 ultimately died much in the way of biennial plants when their mis- 

 sion is fulfilled, and without leaving seed by which to make a fresh 

 start the following season. I was not so fortunate as to hear the 

 nature of the result at the few places to which the surplus plants were 

 sent ; but having heard nothing since of so interesting a plant, I am 

 obliged to conclude that no greater success attended its culture else- 

 where than that just described. Whether biennial or perennial, there- 

 fore, is a problem yet to be solved ; but in either case it is a splendid 

 and interesting plant. 



Papaver, Poppy. — This group is a large one, consisting mainly of 

 annual and biennial and a few perennial species. A small selection of 

 species only is needed to embrace the best and most distinct. The 

 taller-growing species are best adapted for ornamenting the back lines 

 of mixed borders and for planting among shrubs to give colour, in 

 which latter position they produce a very fine effect. The dwarfer 

 species are suitable and elegant ornaments for rockwork or for the 

 front lines of mixed borders in moderate shade — that is, their beauties 

 are longer enjoyable in a somewhat shady position than in one fully 

 exposed to the sun. They are propagated by division, and by seeds in 

 spring. 



P. alpinum, Alpine Poppy. — This is a beautiful dwarf-growing 

 species, producing handsome pinnately - divided leaves somewhat 

 glaucous, and a profusion of leafless, roughly hairy stems, each sup- 

 porting a solitary large bright yellow flower. Flowers in June, July, 

 and August. Height about 1 foot. Native of the mountains of 

 Austria. A variety named P. a. miniatum is very beautiful ; the 

 flowers are pale yellow in the centre, shading into deep orange-red on 

 the margin. 



P. bracteatum, Great Scarlet Poppy, syn. P. pulcherrimum. — 

 This is a splendid tall-growing species, producing dense rounded 

 masses of long pinnately divided leaves, roughish to the touch above 

 and below. The flower-stems are almost leafless, very rough to the 

 touch, and rise to the height of 3 or 4 feet, supporting each an enor- 

 mously large bright reddish-scarlet flower, the petals and sepals marked 

 at the base with a large intense dark-crimson spot. Flowers in June 

 and July. Native of Siberia. 



P. pilosum, Hairy Poppy, syn. P. olympicum. — A very handsome 

 species, producing large orange or brick-red flowers, the sepals and 

 petals being marked at the base with a dull white spot. Flowers in 



