190 ASCLEPIADACEA^. 



narrow, oblong-lanceolate; the flowers are blue or purplish blue, 

 and appear in June, July, and August. This handsome and dis- 

 tinct plant is best adapted to the rockwork or mixed border, 

 and prefers a light rich dryish loam in moderate shade. Divi- 

 sion and seeds are the most practicable means of propagation. 

 Native of Hungary. 



ASCLEPIADACE^. 



The same remarks apply to this order as to the last ; it is a 

 noble family, but herbaceous plants are rare in it, and very few 

 of the meagre number are ornamental. The typical genus 

 Asclepias is the only group that offers anything at all eligible 

 for selection, and very few of it will suffice in even the most 

 extensive collections. 



Asclepias {Swallow-wort), — This is a considerable group, 

 and nearly all the species are from North America. They are 

 for the most part tall bulky plants, not, however, so coarse as 

 many of the larger-growing herbaceous plants, but they require 

 a good deal of space to develop themselves perfectly, and are 

 therefore only suitable for growing in wide borders and in the 

 back lines, or for naturalising in open woods and partially- 

 shady places — and for this latter purpose they are very well 

 adapted. They flourish best in light, rich, loamy soil, rather 

 sandy than otherwise ; but if the soil is well drained they are 

 not so fastidious as to the texture or quality. Peat or leaf- 

 mould is very congenial to them. Propagate by division in 

 spring. 



A. incarnata {Flesh - coloured Swallow - wort). — The plant 

 grows about 3 feet high, with erect stems branching slightly 

 towards the top. The leaves are opposite, lance-shaped. The 

 flowers, small individually, are produced in dense umbels in the 

 axils of the leaves on the upper ends of the stems and branches. 

 They are pale red, and appear in July and August. Native of 

 North America. 



A. syriaca (Virgmian Swallow-woj't). — This species grows 

 about 3 or 4 feet high, the stems being usually unbranched. 

 The leaves are oval, and clothed with short down on the under 

 side, but smooth above. The flowers are in umbels in the 

 axils of the leaves in the upper part of the stem, and are 

 purplish red and pleasingly odorous, appearing in July and 

 August. Native of North America. 



