I50 COMPOSITyE. 



subjects for foliage-gardening as many that are at present in 

 use in that pecuHar style. 



Achillea {Milfoil). — This is rather an extensive genus, fami- 

 liarly represented on the roadsides of most parts of Britain in 

 the common Milfoil {A. Millefolium). A good many species 

 are weedy and uninteresting, quite unfit for cultivation for 

 ornament ; but a few are excellent showy plants for borders or 

 rockwork, and one or two may be considered first-class her- 

 baceous plants ; the best of them, however, are simply show}' 

 without much refinement, and their chief recommendation is 

 their prolonged flowering period, which in some extends to five 

 or six months. They flourish best in light, dry, rich soil, but 

 will do very well in any ordinary garden-soil. Propagate by 

 division. 



A. Ageratum (Smeet Maudlin). — The plant grows about 2 

 or 3 feet high, producing oblong, blunt, smooth leaves, with 

 sharply-toothed margins. The flower-stems are upright, and 

 terminate in a crowded corymb of yellow flowers, appearing 

 from July till September. Best adapted for culture in the 

 mixed border or amongst dwarf shrubs. Native of the south 

 of France and Italy. 



A. aurea {Golde?i Milfoil). — This is a dwarf compact species 

 forming flat masses of finely twice-pinnate leaves. The flower- 

 stems are nearly erect, producing crowded flattened corymbs 

 of 2;olden flowers in summer and autumn. This is one of the 

 prettiest of the dwarf Milfoils, and is adapted for the border or 

 rockwork. Native of the Levant. 



A. Clavennse {Silver-leaved A.) — This is a dwarf species, 

 with pinnatifid, hoary, downy leaves, and short erect flower- 

 stems, terminating in umbel-like corymbs of white flowers, 

 appearing in June and July. Height about 6 inches. The 

 plant is quite as valuable on account of the foliage as the 

 flowers. It makes a pretty object in the front lines of herba- 

 ceous borders and on rockwork, but is not so effective in bed- 

 ding-out as many other hoary foliage plants in use for that 

 style, though for variety's sake it may be desirable in some 

 cases. Native of Austria. 



A. Eupatorium {Caspian A.) — This is a gigantic species, 

 reaching the height of 3 or more feet. The leaves are very 

 deeply cut, but not pinnate, and clothed with hoary down. 

 The cor)^mbs are very large, flat, and bright yellow, and are 

 produced in July and August. Native of the shores of the 

 Caspian. This perhaps is the best and boldest of the large- 

 growing species. In a mass it forms a striking object when 

 viewed from a distance. It is useful for planting amongst low- 



