LABIATE. 225 



tufts of dark-green elliptical leaves, smooth, but generally some- 

 what toothed. The flower-stems are erect, from 6 to 9 inches 

 high ; the flowers deep blue, being arranged in dense whorls 

 along fully half the length of the stem, thus forming a close 

 pyramidical spike. The plant varies in the length of the floral 

 leaves or bracts : in the most showy form these are short, and 

 the flowers consequently more conspicuous ; but the most com- 

 mon form both in gardens and in nature has floral leaves, both 

 broad and long, embracing and somewhat obscuring the flowers, 

 yet a fairly ornamental plant, worthy of a place in the front lines 

 of mixed borders or on the margin of shrubberies, and very well 

 adapted for naturalising in rough rocky places, where it will 

 establish itself in the fissures if the necessary soil and moisture 

 can be secured ; but being pasture plants, and loving moisture, 

 the shady side of such places should be chosen, unless they are 

 naturally moist. Native of Europe generally, the leafy spiked 

 form a rare native of Britain. 



A. reptans {Ci-eepvig Bugle^ syn. A. alpind). — This in culti- 

 vation forms strong creeping masses of stems and foliage, simi- 

 lar in form to those of the last, and the flower-stems and flowers 

 are deep blue, but the spikes are more cylindrical : they appear 

 in early summer, or in May and June, and are very ornamental 

 in the mass. There is a good white-flowered variety — an ex- 

 cellent companion to the blue ; and there is a handsome varie- 

 gated-leaved form, useful for edging and massing where hardy 

 plants must be resorted to in bedding-out. 



Cedronella. — A very handsome genus, chiefly or wholly na- 

 tives of North America. They are only adapted for border 

 ornamentation, flourish best in light rich sandy loam in warm 

 situations, and are perhaps not quite hardy in cold districts 

 north of the Tweed. They are, however, easily kept in the way 

 recommended for Pentstemons, by cuttings taken in early au- 

 tumn. They are choice border plants, and should have a place 

 in every good collection. 



C. cana {Hoary C.) — The plant grows 2 or 2^^ feet high, 

 erect and graceful. The lower leaves are egg-shaped, with a 

 slightly-lobed and heart-shaped base; the upper ones heart- 

 shaped, without the lateral lobes : all are hoary, as are the 

 stems also, slightly. The flowers are lively red, in compact 

 whorls, arranged closely on the upper half of the stems, and 

 having the appearance of dense but gi'aceful spikes. They ap- 

 pear in July and August. 



C. mexicana {Mexicajz). — Distinct from the last in the 

 absence of the hoary down on the leaves, and also in being 

 taller and more luxuriant every way. The spikes are composed 



p 



