l88 APOCYNACE/E. 



but such few as we have are very valuable, both on the score 

 of their beauty and their adaptability to the decoration of posi- 

 tions that it is always difficult to get plants to live in, far less to 

 do well. 



Amsonia. — This is a genus of hardy herbaceous plants from 

 North America. Without having any very strong claim to be 

 considered beautiful, they have a certain distinction and ele- 

 gance in their appearance that renders them valuable for certain 

 ornamental purposes. They may be introduced among shrubs 

 with very good effect, and they may be planted in open woods 

 where their robust hardy nature will enable them to establish 

 themselves when less vigorous plants would succumb before 

 the 'encroachments of the native vegetation. Any ordinary 

 good soil suits them well, and they are easily propagated by 

 division or seeds in spring. 



A. angustifolia {Nart'oiu-leaved A.) grows about 2 or 3 feet 

 high, with hairy stems and lanceolate leaves clothing them through- 

 out. The flowers are produced in small panicles in the axils of 

 the upper leaves, are light blue, and appear in July and August. 



A.latifolia (Bfoad-kavedA.) is about the same in stature as the 

 last, but the stems are usually destitute of hairs, and the leaves 

 more broadly lanceolate. Flowers blue, in the same manner; the 

 panicles, rather fewer-flowered, appear about the same time. 



A. salicifolia (^Willow-leaved A.) has hairless stems, and very 

 narrow lanceolate leaves, attenuated at each end. The flowers 

 are numerous, in small panicles in the axils of the upper leaves. 

 They are blue, and appear about the same time as the others. 



Vinca [Periwinkle). — This is the only British representative 

 of one of the most beautiful natural orders in the vegetable 

 kingdom. Like most of the other genera of the family, Vi7ica 

 is more ligneous than herbaceous ; indeed, only one species of 

 the group may be properly classed with herbaceous plants, 

 according to technical rule, but their dwarf habit and natural 

 adaptability to similar purposes bring them nearer to that class 

 of plants than to shrubs of any kind. They are most accom- 

 modating in their nature, growing freely in nearly all kinds of 

 soils and situations, preferring moist, shady places, but not 

 refusing to grow freely in those more dry and exposed. They 

 grow freely in the shade and drip of large trees, and may be 

 used for clothing naked banks with great faciUty and success. 

 Several fine variegated forms also of the hardy sub-shrubby 

 species may be used with good effect for those and for more 

 select purposes, such as the edging of beds and borders of 

 shrubs, draping rockwork and rustic work, and even for the 

 edging of beds and borders of flowers. All are easily pro- 



