PLUMBAGINACE.^. 259 



a considerable variation in foliage and stature, but a few of the 

 more distinct fonns are all that are needed, in our selection, to 

 secure the best of those that are in cultivation. They all suc- 

 ceed best in deep sandy loam, and should not often be dis- 

 turbed. Propagate by division in spring, which, in the majority 

 of species, requires to be carefully done, and by seed in small 

 pots in a cold frame ; or in slight heat, if available, in March. 



S. eximia {P'mk Sea Lavender). — The plant grows a foot or 

 more high. The flower-stems are leafless. The leaves are 

 tufted about the roots, and are oblong, ^^ddening somewhat 

 towards the point. The flowers are produced in freely-branch- 

 ing panicles, are very numerous, but small and pink, appearing 

 in June or July, and lasting a month or two. Native of Sou- 

 garia. 



S. ^Q\yoX'QX\'&io\\z. {Glob ularia-leaved Sea Lave7ider). — A neat- 

 growing species, with a tuft of small obovate leaves terminating 

 in an abrupt sharp point. The flower-stems are leafless, 6 to 9 

 inches high, and branching into rather close panicles of small 

 blue flowers, appearing early in summer, and lasting a month or 

 tvvo. Native of the Mediterranean. Best adapted for rockwork 

 in sunny positions, unless the borders are well drained and 

 composed of rich light sandy loam. 



S. Limonium {Broad-leaved Sea Lavender). — Perhaps the 

 finest of the hardy Statices for border decoration. It produces 

 a bold tuft of oblong dark-green leaves, widening toward the 

 point. The flower-stems are leafless, branching much; the 

 branches extending wide at the base, and shortening as they 

 ascend to the top, forming a corymbose panicle ; the flowers are 

 blue, and appear in August and September. The species is 

 somewhat variable, and one of the best forms of it that has 

 appeared in gardens is that named latifo/ia, which is not only 

 more luxuriant as regards the foliage, but in the inflorescence 

 also, which becomes considerably more ample than that of the 

 type. Native of the coasts of western Europe, Asia, the Medi- 

 terranean, and America, and is not uncommon on the coasts of 

 England. Height 18 inches. 



S. tatarica, syn. Goniolimon tataricum {Tartarian Sea 

 Lavender). — The plant grows a foot high. The leaves are all 

 confined to the roots ; they are oblong-lanceolate, mdening 

 somewhat upwards, are dark green, and terminate in an abrupt 

 sharp point. The stems branch very freely, forming handsome 

 open panicles ; and the flowers are pink, appearing in August 

 and September. Native of Tartary. 



Valloradia plumbaginoides, syn. Plumbago Larpentae. — 

 A beautiful border-plant, but barely hardy in all parts of the 



