GARDEN FLOWERS. 51 



ASARUM. Asarabaeca. [Aristolochiacete.] Dwarf hardy 

 perennials, more remarkable for the carious structure of 

 their flowers than for their beauty. Cool moist common 

 soil. Propagated by division. 



A. Canadense (Canadian) ; hardy perennial ; 6 inches ; flowers 

 brown, in April; Canada; 1713. A. Europceum (European); 

 hardy perennial ; 6 inches ; flowers brown, in April ; England. 

 A. Virginicum (Virginian) ; hardy perennial ; 6 inches ; flowers 

 brown, in April ; Virginia; 1759. 



ASCLEPIAS. Swallow-wort [Asclepiadacese.] Herba- 

 ceous perennials, including stove, greenhouse, and hardy 

 kinds. For the tender kinds, rich loam and leaf-mould in 

 equal parts. They are best raised from seeds, which are 

 generally produced freely, and the plants should be often 

 renewed : they may also be raised by cuttings in sand in a 

 hot-bed. The seed should be sown in pots in the spring, 

 and the plants pricked out as soon as large enough, after- 

 wards ported singly, and shifted into larger pots as they 

 grow. Most of the hardy sorts grow in good deep garden 

 soil ; but A. tuberosa should have good loam, but will thrive 

 in garden soil. These are increased by division. 



A . amtzna (pleasing) ; hardy perennial ; 3 feet ; flowers pur- 

 ple, in July; North America ; 1732. A. Curassavica (Curas- 

 soa) ; stove perennial ; 3 feet ; flowers orange, in June ; South 

 America ; 1692. A white variety is called alba; a long-leaved 

 deep-red variety is called rubra : these are very desirable' stove 

 plants, and do well as bedding plants in summer. A. decumbens 

 (decumbent) ; hardy tuberous perennial ; 2 feet ; flowers orange, 

 in July ; North America ; 1731. A. exaltata (tall) ; hardy per- 

 ennial ; 6 feet; flowers purple, in July; North America; 1800. 

 A. nivea (snovry); hardy perennial; 3 feet; flowers white, in 

 July; North America; 1730. A', pulchra (fair) ; hardy peren- 

 nial ; 2 feet ; flowers purple, in July ; North America. A. rubra 

 (red) ; hardy perennial ; i foot ; flowers red, in July ; Virginia ; 

 1825. A. Syriaca (Syrian) ; hardy perennial ; 4 feet ; flowers 



