Tropaeolum Verbena 



fancifully compares the leaf to a buckler, and the flower to a helmet. 

 The Lobbianum section is close in habit, with smaller foliage borne 

 on somewhat woolly stems. All the varieties bloom freely, and 

 constitute a brilliant class of climbers of great value for brightening 

 up the backs of borders or hiding unsightly objects. After the 

 seeds have been dibbled about an inch deep either in April or May, 

 the only attention the plants require is to nip out a straggling shoot 

 occasionally, or prevent a stray branch from reaching over and 

 smothering some plant which will not endure its embraces. 



The well-known Canary Creeper (T. canariense] is a distinct 

 variety, and as a half-hardy annual must be raised under protection. 

 Unlike the others, it needs a rich soil to ensure vigorous growth. 

 When liberally treated the entire plant will be covered with its bright 

 fairy-like flowers, until frost ends its career. 



The Tom Thumb, or Dwarf varieties, make excellent bedding 

 plants, blooming far on into the autumn after many of the regular 

 bedders have become faded and shabby. There is an extensive 

 choice of colours in reds, yellows, and browns, which come perfectly 

 true from seed, and all possess the merit of flowering freely on very 

 poor soil. They grow luxuriantly on rich land, but then the foliage 

 becomes a mere mask under which the flowers are concealed. 

 There is not one of the Tom Thumb class that may not be treated 

 as a hardy annual, and all afford opportunity of making a gorgeous 

 show of colour at a cost ridiculously disproportionate to the effect 

 obtained. They are also admirably adapted for pot culture, making 

 shapely plants covered with bloom for a long period. 



As the flavour of the flowers and leaves somewhat resembles 

 that of common Cress, they are frequently used in salads, and are 

 accounted an excellent anti-scorbutic. The flowers are legitimately 

 employed in decorating the salad-bowl, because they are not only 

 ornamental but strictly edible. 



In a green state the seeds of both tall and dwarf varieties make a 

 first-rate pickle, which by some persons is preferred to capers. 



VERBENA 



Hardy and half-hardy perennials 



VERBENAS raised from the best strains of seed come true to colour 

 and the plants are models of health and vigour, and make resplendent 



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