VALERIAN ACE/E. 1 4/ 



border-plant, and an old inhabitant of British gardens. It 

 is originally from the Mediterranean, but having strayed from 

 cultivation, and become naturalised in some parts of England 

 and Ireland, it now finds a place in the British flora. There 

 are two or three varieties — a white, a purple, and a red or 

 crimson. Individual taste will guide in the selection of the 

 colour ; but it is necessary to state that neither the white nor 

 the purple are good of their kind, nor can they be regarded as 

 any improvement as regards effectiveness on the original red. 

 The plant produces stout erect stems, rather woody at the base, 

 and clothed with opposite, smooth, slightly glaucous, broadly- 

 lance-shaped leaves, and terminating in bold handsome cor- 

 ymbs of numerous small flowers. It begins to bloom in June, 

 and continues through the summer ; and perhaps not the least 

 beautiful feature, as it is certainly the most interesting one, is 

 the elegant pappus-like calyx which adheres to the fruit in 

 maturity. It is a very accommodating plant as regards culture, 

 requiring only ordinary garden-soil, and occasional lifting and 

 cutting in, without which it is apt to become weak and die out 

 in the lapse of a few years. I have seen it planted and doing 

 fairly well on the crumbling walls of an old ruin, and it is very 

 useful for planting on dry rockwork, and in rocky stony banks 

 where sufficient soil may be had to plant it in. Propagate by 

 division in spring or autumn, and by cuttings of side shoots in 

 autumn under a hand-glass or in a cold frame in sandy soil. 

 Height about 2 feet. 



Valeriana {Vakriaji). — Several species of this group have 

 been already alluded to. Those following are, however, more 

 choice plants, and deserving of more than passing notice, and 

 a better position amongst ornamental plants. Propagate by 

 division in autumn or spring. 



Valeriana dioica {Marsh Valerian). — This is a distinct and 

 pretty species. It has no bold or striking characteristics to 

 recommend it to notice ; it is a simple, lowly, creeping plant, 

 throwing up many small corymbs of pink flowers to the height 

 of 6 or 8 inches. The flowers begin to open in May, and last 

 about two months. It is very useful for planting in marshy or 

 wet ground, but succeeds well in any situation or soil ; but in 

 very dry soil it should, if possible, be planted in shade. 



V. montana {Mountain Valerian). — This species grows from 

 9 inches to i foot high. The root-leaves are similar to those 

 of the last ; but the stem-leaves, which in that one are pinnate, 

 in this are entire, and the corymbs of flowers are more com- 

 pact. The flowers are pale red or pink, and appear in summer. 

 Native of the Alps, Pyrenees, and Apennines. 



