308 THE GARDENER. [July 



NOTES ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



CRUCIFER/E. 



This is a very interesting and extensive order of plants, more remark- 

 able, perhaps, for the great importance and value of the food products 

 it yields to man and beast than for high ornamental qualities, though 

 it comprises a large number of plants by no means deficient in that 

 respect. The greater number of the ornamental species are comprised 

 in comparatively few genera, and are mostly Alpine or sub-Alpine 

 plants. Some very interesting and beautiful species, from peculiar 

 habitats, are difficult to grow and keep under ordinary, or even extra- 

 ordinary, conditions ; but such have been avoided in making selections, 

 and only such as will succeed with ordinary facilities adopted. Many 

 of those selected are adapted to a variety of purposes ; they will be 

 found beautiful objects on rockwork, and for edgings and masses in 

 the spring flower-garden ; and the majority are available in a variety 

 of soils for culture in the mixed border, while there are a few that will 

 be found very useful for naturalising in woods and semi- wild places. 

 The uses to which they may be applied and the culture will be noticed 

 more particularly under the genera and species as they are severally 

 considered. 



Alyssum, Madwort. — This is rather a numerous group, composed of 

 a few annual and biennial, and a majority of perennial species. The 

 perennials are half-shrubby plants of humble growth, and evergreen to 

 a greater or less degree ; the flowers are small individually, but pro- 

 duced in dense masses and in long succession. They are plants of 

 the easiest culture, succeeding best in light gritty loam of a rich 

 quality, but doing very well in a great variety of soils and situations. 

 The rockwork, mixed border, and borders of shrubberies are all fit 

 places for these plants, and some are qualified for naturalising, and 

 will be noticed in their place. They are propagated by division in 

 autumn and throughout winter and spring, but if done in early autumn 

 there is no sacrifice of bloom, which is inevitable to some extent in 

 the later periods ; by cuttings also in spring and throughout the 

 summer, inserted in sandy loam and leaf-mould under a hand or 

 bell glass in a shady place, as behind a low wall or hedge. Cut- 

 tings, if early struck, make the most vigorous plants, and flower the 

 strongest the following year, and a few should be struck annually in 

 order to keep up a healthy and ample stock. This is especially 

 necessary where they are to be largely used in filling up the beds of 

 the summer flower-garden in the spring months; and stock of neat 

 uniform plants can only be maintained by this means. In this case 



