192 BKECK'S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



a plant from Siberia, which has small dull brick-red flow- 

 ers; very different from D. cardinalis, which had flowers 

 the size of those of D. datum. I also imported seed of it, 

 and had a hundred or more plants, which all turned out 

 to be the common Z>. elatum. After this experience, who 

 can blame me if I did feel a little waspish. 



The annual Larkspurs are familiar to almost every one. 

 Some of the species and varieties are among the most 

 common ornaments of the garden. They are all hardy, 

 and flower stronger when self-sown in summer, or planted 

 in beds or borders in August or September. There are 

 two distinct species of Annual Larkspur : D. Ajacis, or 

 Dwarf Rocket, with a variety called the tall German 

 Rocket ; and D. consolida. 



D. consolida, or Branching Larkspur. This species 

 grows from two to three feet high, producing its flowers 

 in spikes, which are continually pushing out from the main 

 stem and branches, affording abundance of bloom through 

 the season. The double varieties are the most desirable. 

 Masses of the different colors appear to great advantage. 

 There are the double white, rose, pale-blue, dark-blue, lilac 

 or ash color, striped red and white, blue and white, and 

 variously mottled. 



D, Ajacis* Dwarf Rocket Larkspur. A bed of the 

 double varieties of this species is almost equal in beauty, 

 when properly grown, to a bed of Hyacinths ; early sown 

 plants are in bloom in June and July, but do not continue 

 in bloom so long as those of D. consolida ; grows a foot 

 high. We import them in packages of ten to fifteen va- 

 rieties. To have them in the greatest perfection, the seed 

 should be sown in autumn. 



D. Ajacis major. Tall Rocket Larkspur. Appears 

 very much like the last described, except the flower-stems 

 are a foot and one-half to two feet high. In flower at the 



