170 COMPOSIT/E. 



S. C. squarrosa. They are very near in character and aspect 

 to the normal form, and the first variety is the most distinctly 

 hoary. They are all compact neat plants, growing to the 

 height of about 2 feet, and are chiefly suitable for the mixed 

 border, unless the rockwork is extensive, when they may very 

 properly be used in prominent positions in the decoration of 

 it. There are several other species of Santolina in cultivation, 

 but those described are the most distinct and useful. S. 

 viridis may be mentioned, however, as being a very peculiar 

 species, having the habit and leaves of the Common Lavender- 

 Cotton, but quite destitute of hairs or down, and dense dark- 

 green both in young branches and leaves, which indeed would 

 be the colour of all the shrubby species, but for the hoary 

 down which distinguishes more or less most of the others. 

 Native of southern Europe. 



Solidago {Golden Rod). — This is a very extensive genus, but, 

 like many of the larger genera of CoinpositcB.^ it abounds in bad 

 species, which are not definable by any obvious or tangible 

 characters. Regarded as ornamental plants, scarcely one of 

 them may be admitted in select collections. They are in the 

 mass rough bulky plants, abundantly floriferous ; but the inflor- 

 escence is common and weed-like, and a few are diminutive 

 uninteresting things, fit only for botanical coUections. A few 

 of the more distinct and free-flowering or showy species may 

 be employed often with advantage amongst shrubs, and they 

 are generally very fit subjects for naturalising ; and in this way 

 they have only one enemy — rabbits — to contend with ; for the 

 stronger species are fully equal to the grossest of our indigenous 

 vegetation if planted out in strong tufts ; but these creatures 

 make short work of them, cropping down as they assiduously 

 do every inch of tender growth as it starts in spring. They 

 succeed in any soil or situation, not objecting to considerable 

 shade, so that they may be naturalised in woods successfully. 

 All are readily increased by division in autumn, winter, or 

 spring. 



S. altissima {Tallest Golden Rod). — This is a gigantic coarse 

 plant, reaching the height of 6 or 7 feet, with stout erect stems, 

 clothed with deeply-toothed lance-shaped leaves, rough to the 

 touch and wrinkled. The panicles of flower are large, and the 

 divisions or racemes of which they are composed are one-sided. 

 Flowers in August and September. Native of North America. 



S. reflexa {Reflexed-leaved Golden Rod). — About 3 or 4 feet 

 high ; the stems erect, clothed with hairs and with lance-shaped 

 slightly-toothed leaves. Panicles of flowers densely clustered. 

 Flowers in August and September. Native of North America. 



