310 STUDIES IN GARDENING 



dalmatica called Princess Beatrice. At least there 

 is no more beautiful garden flower in existence. Then 

 there are the Violas or tufted Pansies; a choice is 

 impossible among these. But there is nothing to beat 

 Florizel for beauty and vigour, though there are 

 others to equal it. We name it because one variety 

 must be named; and if we are to choose a particular 

 pink, we will have Albino for the beauty of its flowers, 

 as fine as those of a white carnation. Of the Phloxes 

 we scarcely dare name one. But there is none so bril- 

 liant in colour as Coquelicot, though others have a 

 better constitution. Among Michaelmas Daisies we 

 choose Aster acris, but only for the sake of choosing 

 one. It has this advantage over most, that it does 

 not spread all over the border or need constant divi- 

 sion if it is not to deteriorate; and there is none more 

 beautiful. Among Funkias we have no hesitation in 

 choosing F. Sieboldii for the beauty of its glaucous 

 leaves; but the Day Lilies are much more difficult 

 to choose. H. aurantiaca major is always said to be 

 the finest, but it usually prefers not to flower. We 

 prefer H. Thunbergii, which has a sweet scent and 

 clear yellow flowers. The Kniphofias are no easier, 

 but there is none to surpass K. caulescens either in 

 flower or in leaf, and it is very easily increased. 



There are innumerable Veronicas, but none so bril- 

 liant in the border as Veronica amethystina, the best 

 variety of which has bright blue flowers. Among the 

 Flaxes none remains so long in bloom as Linum perenne, 

 although L. narbonnense has larger blossoms. Of the 



