3/6 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



Lychnis, containing some neat small-growing perennials, as 

 V. vulgaris, neglecta, Alpina, and Helvetica, forming pretty 

 rock-plants. These perennials are increased b.y carefully 

 dividing the dense tufts of branches which they form, re- 

 taining a share of roots to each slip if possible, and treating 

 the divisions rather as cuttings than as plants, by keeping 

 them in a close frame until they begin to grow. These like 

 a very open soil, containing pounded bricks or old mortar, 

 or any substance of similar texture. The genus also con- 

 tains two very showy hardy annuals, V. Coeli-rosa and oculata. 

 These may be sown in the open borders with other hardy 

 annuals in May. 



V. Alpina( Alpine) ; hardy perennial ; 6 inches; flowers pink, 

 in May ; Scotland. V. Cceli-rosa (Rose of Heaven) ; hardy an- 

 nual ; 1 8 inches ; flowers rose, light eye, in June ; Levant ; 1713. 

 V. Helvetica (Swiss) ; hardy perennial ; 3 inches ; flowers red, 

 in June; Switzerland; 1814. V. neglecta (neglected); hardy 

 perennial ; 9 inches ; flowers white, in May ; England. V. ocu- 

 lata (dark-eyed) ; hardy annual ; 18 inches ; flowers rose, dark 

 eye, in June ; Algiers ; 1843. ^ Suecica (Swedish) ; hardy 

 perennial; 6 inches; flowers pink, in June; Sweden; 1824. 

 V. vulgaris (common) ; hardy perennial ; I foot ; flowers pink, 

 in May; England. f 



