UMBELLIFERAE 119 
The Evening Primroses, beautiful as they are, are not 
among my greatest successes. A drier climate, lighter 
soil, and quicker drainage would probably make these 
Americans happier. I have tried the pink-white speciosa 
again and again (could there be a lovelier thing than 
this, or its variety rosea?), but never with any permanent 
good luck. A wet winter overcomes it, and I never see 
any more of it. Serrulata, however, seems a trustworthy 
plant here; unfortunately I cannot care much for it. I 
think its abundant yellow flowers rather small and mean. 
Missouriensis, rightly a herbaceous species, prostrate, 
with enormous yellow blossoms, is really and honestly 
and enduringly prosperous here, which gives me much to 
be thankful for. Youngi is good, too, and thrives ; 
Howardi, stout seedlings, has made haste to depart. 
It is a rare thing to come upon an attractive plant 
among the Umbelliferae. But Dondia Epipactis is a 
pleasant plant by reason of its quaintness. In early 
spring it sends up its glossy sanicle-like leaves, and then, 
on a three-inch stem, above the leaves, a queer, little 
inconspicuous head of yellow flowers. Dondia prospers 
anywhere, but, being small and meek in habit, should 
have a choice corner, where he may be trusted not to get 
into mischief. Of the larger Umbellifers few can come 
into the rock-garden, though on very bold constructions 
our native Myrrhis odorata, with vast fern-like fronds, is 
very handsome indeed; while the giant Fennels and 
Heracleums (/erula Linki and Heracleum mantegaz- 
ztanum especially) should also find a place. 
The Sea-Hollies, with their steely blue leaves and 
flowers, are so well known and such useful border-plants, 
that one need hardly describe them or prescribe them. 
But I cherished in the moraine-garden one exquisite and 
rare little Sea-Holly, who never seems to grow more than 
four inches high or so, with small spiny leaves, and bluey- 
