ADONIS ALYSSUM ALTHAEA. 87 



seeds, which flower the second year. The common variety has 

 deep red flowers, and another variety with white, or white with 

 a pink centre. It flowers in June and July ; about one and 

 a half feet high. 



ADONIS. 



Adonis vernalis is a handsome perennial border plant, one 

 foot high, producing yellow flowers in May or June. It is a 

 native of the South of Europe. It succeeds in any common 

 garden soil, if not too heavy. 



ALYSSUM. 



Alyssum saxatile, Rock or Golden Alyssum, is a desirable 

 vernal flower, of dwarf habit, proper for rock-work, or to be 

 planted in masses ; the flowers are of a brilliant golden yellow, 

 completely covering the plant, which is not more than eight 

 or ten inches high. It is a suitable companion for the Phlox 

 stolonifera, with its red flowers, P. subulata, with pink or 

 white flowers ; all which appear together the first of May. 

 Raised by seeds or by slipping the roots. 



ALTHAEA. 



"And from the nectaries of Hollyhocks, 

 The humblebee, e'en till he faints, will sip." 



Alfhfsa rosea. Chinese Hollyhock. A great improvement 

 has been made in this old-fashioned, ordinary flower, within a 

 few years, that has brought it before the public under a new 

 phase ; and it now bids fair to become as popular as many 

 other flowers have been when taken in hand by the florist. 

 The following is an extract from an English paper : 



"Hollyhocks. If I were not afraid of advancing a horticultu- 



