GARDEN FLOWERS. 243 



LYTHRUM. [Lythraceae.] Hardy annuals or perennials ; 

 the former of little interest, the latter ornamental ; often 

 thriving in damp and even wet situations. L. alatum is a 

 showy half-hardy plant, with long slender scarcely branched 

 stems, bearing purple flowers throughout the summer, and 

 not unsuited for a good-sized bed. The hardy perennials 

 grow in ordinary soil, and are increased by division ; the 

 half-hardy ones grow from cuttings, and should be potted in 

 a soil of three parts peat to one of loam. The annuals may 

 be sown in the open border in May. 



L. alatiun (winged) ; half-hardy perennial ; 3 feet ; flowers 

 purple, in July ; Georgia; 1812. L. lineare (linear) ; hardy per- 

 ennial ; 1 8 inches ; flowers white, in July ; North America ; 1812. 

 L. myrtifolium (myrtle-leaved) ; hardy perennial ; 2 feet ; flow- 

 ers purple, in July; North America; 1820. L. Purshianum 

 (Pursh's) ; hardy perennial ; 18 inches ; flowers purple, in July ; 

 North America ; 1800. L. salicaria (willow-like) ; hardy peren- 

 nial ; 4 feet ; flowers purple, in July ; England. L. tomentosum 

 (woolly) ; hardy perennial ; 3 feet ; flowers purple, in July ; Cau- 

 casus ; 1828. L. virgatum (twiggy); hardy perennial; 3 feet; 

 flowers purple, in June ; Austria ; 1776. 



