ERYNGIUM. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



ERYNGIUM. 



567 



It thrives best among the dwarfer alpine 

 plants, in warm positions, in deep sandy 

 or gravelly soil. 



E. Reichardi.— A miniature species 2 

 to 3 in. high when in flower. The small 

 heart-shaped leaves lie close to the ground, 

 and forin little tufts from which arise 

 slender stalks, each bearing a solitary 

 white flower, marked with delicate pink 

 veins ; flowering for many weeks. It should 

 be grown in gritty peat mixed with a 

 small portion of loam. 



To the foregoing may be added : E. 

 caru/fo/ut/n, 6 to 10 in. high ; flowers 

 red, about ^ in. in diameter, and in 

 umbels of nine or ten blossoms. E. 

 romanum, 6 to 9 in. high ; flowers 

 purplish, in spring and early summer. 

 E. trichomaiiefolimii^ a pretty kind, 4 to 

 6 in. high, with leaves deeply cut ; flowers 

 flesh-coloured, marked with darker veins. 

 E. chrysaiithicm with lemon-yellow 

 flowers and E. guttatiini^ these being 

 mostly fitted for the warmer parts of 

 the rock-garden. E. daiicoides. E. supra- 

 cafTuin. 



Erpetion. See Viola. 



ERYNGIUM {Sea 7%//)/).— Handsome 

 perennials or biennials of the Parsley 

 order, but so unlike that class of plants in 

 general appearance as to be often mis- 

 taken for Thistles. For the garden, 

 whether the decoration of the border, or 

 rock-garden, or the lawn, few plants 

 yield a greater charm from the size and 

 colour of involucres and stems. The stems 

 are so singularly beautiful with their vivid 

 steel-blue tints, surmounted with an in- 

 volucre even more brilliant, that the effect 

 of good large groups is hardly excelled by 

 that of any plants that live in our climate. 

 The great diversity in the form of the 

 leaves is very interesting, ranging from 

 the great Pandanus-like foliage of E. 

 pandanifolium to the very small thistle- 

 like leaves of E. dichotomiwi. Those be- 

 longing to the Pandanus set, such as 

 E. Lasseaiixi^ ebiirneiini., ln'0)iiclicefoliu}ii, 

 and others, are useful among fine-leaved 

 plants ; their leaves being mostly of a 

 thick succulent nature, are not liable to 

 be damaged by the cold nights in early 

 autumn ; indeed, in all but very damp 

 places or heavy soils they continue effec- 

 tive as regards foliage all through the 

 winter season. E. alpi/min., Oliverianiim^ 

 .?"4''''^'''^'^'^^'''^' 3^"d the finer herbaceous species 

 are very useful for borders, and all are the 

 more valuable for this purpose owing to 

 the length of time they continue in bloom, 

 and for the longtime they retain their hand- 

 some blue tints. A good rich and well- 

 drained soil suits most of the species ; 



damp carries off more of the tender species 

 during winter than cold. Protection is not 

 needed, as the Sea Hollies will stand any 

 exposure so long as the drainage is good. 

 E. alpiniim may be made an exception to 

 the above directions, as in the south of 

 England at any rate it prefers a shady 

 spot in a good stifif soil. Much the same 

 treatment will also answer in the case of 

 E. Oliverianuni. 



The best way of increasing these Sea 

 Hollies is by seed. Some few sorts may 

 be increased by division or root cuttings, 

 but they take such a long time to root, 

 that a vigorous batch may be raised from 

 seed in about the same time. Sow the seed 

 in pans as soon as gathered, and place in a 

 cold frame. The seeds will germinate in the 

 spring, and if properly managed will be 

 ready to plant out the following year. 

 These plants often "sow themselves," 

 and seedlings come up in all sorts of 

 places. 



The under-mentioned are a few of the 

 best kinds : — 



E. alpinum {Alpine Sea /^//j/).— This 

 is found in the alpine pastures of Switzer- 



The Amethyst Sea Holly (E. amethystinum). 



