VARIOUS PERENNIALS. 133 



from summer to late in the autumn. They may be 

 increased by division of the roots in spring, and where 

 they once grow there is danger of their becoming too 

 plentiful. 



The Sweet Scabious, or Widow's Flower, is valuable as 

 one of the darkest coloured flowers we have, and it is 

 sweet in scent. It is quite hardy, and grows freely 

 from seed. There are also some with white and pink 

 flowers. 



Saxifrages of different varieties are hardy, of the 

 easiest possible culture, and will grow in the neighbour- 

 hood of London or almost anywhere else, and in any 

 light garden earth, although they prefer a deep sandy 

 soil. Saxifraga umbrosa, the pretty delicate London 

 Pride, and 8. yranulata, the mountain saxifrage, are 

 especially useful for the front of beds. 



The Calla, once called an Arum, will do in the open 

 air only in very warm situations, but where it will do it 

 makes handsome clumps, being ornamental alike in 

 foliage and flower. It likes rich light sandy earth, and 

 when in pots frequent watering, and it is increased by 

 offsets from the fleshy root. 



The Black Helebore, or Christmas Hose, is pretty, and 

 valuable from flowering in winter. It is hardy, will 

 grow in a shady place in common soil, and is propa- 

 gated by seed, or by division of the plant in spring. 

 There are several varieties of the helebore, with flowers 

 of different colours. 



Some of the Genistas are hardy enough to do well 

 out of doors, and others are pretty in pots for the green- 

 house or window. The half-hardy kinds are easily struck 

 in sand under a bell glass, and the hardier may be grown 

 from seed. Common loamy soil suits them. Their 

 bright pea-shaped flowers make them very gay. 



The Everlasting Pea, Lathy rus latifoliiis, that vigorous 

 growing climber, with its large bunches of gay pink 

 flowers, is useful for covering, year after year, an un- 

 sightly paling or similar object, and will grow to six or 

 eight feet high. Lord Anson's pea, L. Magellanicus, 

 another perennial sort, is pretty in foliage and in its 



