PART II.] 



ALPINE FLOWERS FOR GARDENS 



259 



inasmuch as it is one of the few, if not 

 the only, truly blue-flowered Poppy in 

 cultivation at the present time. It grows 

 from 4 feet to 7 feet in height, forming 

 a pyramid, extremely "beautiful in full 

 flower, the drooping Poppy blooms of a 

 fine pale blue colour and fine in form. 

 The flowers first open at the top or ends 

 of the branches, continuing until those 

 nearest the main stem have opened. It 



Meconopsis aculeate. 



forms a rosette of lame leaves, 12 inches 

 to 18 inches long, deeply cut, and so 

 brittle that, although well able to stand 

 our winters, they are apt to be damaged 

 by snowfalls. The plants like a moist 

 situation in a deep peaty soil, and partially 

 shaded from the mid-day sun. It is 

 biennial, and to keep up a stock, seed 

 should be sown annually, and this as soon 

 as gathered. The varieties fusco-purpurea 



and pui-purea are not so good in colour as 

 the fine blue of the old form. 



Meconopsis simplicifolia has a tuft 

 of lance -shaped leaves, 3 to 5 inches 

 long, slightly toothed, and covered with 

 a short, dense, brownish pubescence. 

 The unbranched flower -stalk is about 

 1 foot high, and bears at its apex a single 

 violet-purple blossom, 2 to 3 inches in 

 diameter. 



MEGASEA. (See SAXIFRAGA). 



MELITTIS MELISSOPHYLLUM 



(Balm M.). A distinct-looking plant 

 of the Salvia order, with slightly hairy 

 ovate leaves, about 2 inches long, 

 clothing the stem to its apex, and 

 from one to three flowers arranged in 

 the axils of the opposite leaves. The 

 flowers are usually nearly or quite an 

 inch and a half long, and opening at 

 the mouth to a little more than an 

 inch deep. The lower lip is the 

 largest, and is usually stained with 

 a deep purplish rose, except a narrow 

 margin, which is a creamy white. The 

 handsome lip reminds one of the 

 flowers of some of our handsome 

 exotic Orchids rather than those of 

 a labiate plant. It varies a good 

 deal in colour ; sometimes the lip 

 has not the handsome stain above 

 alluded to, and sometimes the whole 

 flower is of a reddish-purple hue. 

 M. grandiflora of Smith is a variety 

 differing in colour. The plant is dis- 

 tinct, and worthy of a place. It 

 naturally inhabits woods, and even 

 when one finds it on the lower flanks 

 of some great alp, it is seen nestling 

 among the shrubs and low hazel-trees. 

 Woody spots near the rock-garden 

 would suit it, and it grows readily 

 among .shrubs. Found in a few 

 localities in Southern England, and 

 widely over Europe and Asia. Seed 

 or division, flowering in May about 

 London. 



