THIRD WEEK IN MARCH 



Amongst the newer introductions in the herbaceous 

 border the sidalceas, in delicate pink and in white (S. rosea 

 and S. alba), are very pretty, their spikes of blossom rising 

 from distinct and handsome foliage. They belong to the 

 mallow family, and are of easy culture. Another desirable 

 newcomer is the Canadian phlox (P. canadensis), of which 

 Perry's variety is specially good. The blossoms of this 

 plant, produced in loose sprays, have something the same 

 effect as those of the plumbago, being of delicate blue and 

 similar shape, and we never have too much of this rare tint 

 in our gardens. Veronica saxatilis is another blue flower 

 which is little known, but well worthy of a good position in 

 the front of the border, as it is a dwarf plant with blossoms 

 i inch in diameter. Yet another new blue flower is the 

 lovely Stokesia cyanea, with sky-blue blooms from 2 to 

 3 inches across ; but this plant is not absolutely hardy, and 

 should have the protection of a raised glass over it in winter, 

 except in the most favoured parts of our islands and near 

 the south coast. It should be planted at the present time 

 (not in the autumn), covering it at night until well estab- 

 lished, in case of late frosts and sharp east winds, when it 

 will blossom well in the summer. It may also be grown as 

 a pot plant in a cool greenhouse, and in a cold district this 

 may be the better plan. 



The newer varieties of the Oriental poppy (Papaver 

 orientale) are much more valuable than the typical plant 

 in pure scarlet, although this, too, is magnificent, and its 

 colour is very effective. P. orientale earminata is a gigantic 

 flower in carmine-pink, Delicata is in the colour of a blush 

 rose, and Novelty is distinguished from the rest by its rich 

 tint of crushed strawberry, whilst Medusa is in brilliant 

 pink, and the dwarf variety, Rose Queen, is very handsome. 

 These perennial poppies are amongst the plants which resent 

 any disturbance of their roots, and when once established in 

 deep rich soil they should be left alone (except in giving 

 them an annual mulch in March) to form a large clump of 

 their carrot-like roots, which penetrate deeply in the soil. 

 Their splendid blossoms are extraordinarily effective at a 



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