Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 9 



in the year and continuing more or less throughout the summer months. 

 The blossoms are pure white, double, and last a long time either cut or 

 on the plant. Cultivation is simple. Any garden soil will do, and almost 

 any situation. For market work the plants may be grown about 6 in. 

 apart between fruit trees and semi-shady places, and in spring they are 

 packed about two dozen in shallow boxes, and sold for bedding-out pur- 

 poses; and again in the autumn for covering beds planted with Tulips, 

 Hyacinths, Daffodils, &c., so that the double white Arabis may be 

 regarded as a lucrative crop, requiring the minimum of cost to grow. 

 It is best increased by division almost at any time except in winter, or 

 by cuttings of sturdy shoots from the base. Other kinds are A. alpina, 

 6 in., white; brevifolia, with small Aubrietia-like leaves and rose-pink 

 flowers; A. procurrens, 6 in., white; and a form with variegated leaves. 



Arenaria. Pretty little rock plants for sandy and stony places, and in- 

 creased by seeds, cuttings, and division. A. balearica is the best for cover- 

 ing stones, with dense masses of small green leaves studded with tiny white 

 flowers. Other kinds are ccespitosa, with a golden-leaved form; gothica, 

 grandiflora, laricifolia, montana, norvegica, Rosani, tetraquetra, and 

 verna all with white flowers. A. purpurascens has purplish blossoms. 



Armeria. The Thrifts or Sea Pinks are excellent, tufted, grassy-looking 

 plants for edgings and rock gardens, and are easily grown in ordinary soil. 

 They are also easily increased in most cases by division in spring or early 

 autumn, and by seeds if necessary. A good trade is done in the common 

 British Thrift, A. vulgaris (or A. maritima), which has pink or rose- 

 coloured flowers on stems 6-9 in. high. Other kinds worth growing are 

 A. alpina, pale and deep rose; A. bracteata rubra, bright crimson; A. 

 cephalotes (or latifolia), rose, with white and red varieties, having flower 

 heads on stems about 18 in. high; A. juncea, rosy pink; A. Laucheana, 

 bright rose, with a white variety; and A. plantaginea, 18 in., bright rose. 

 A. arborea is a curious species with thickish woody stems, having tufts of 

 grass-like leaves and reddish flowers. 



Arnebia echioides. An interesting Armenian perennial, 6-12 in. high, 

 remarkable for the fading of the blackish-purple spots that decorate the 

 bright-yellow flowers in early summer. It is a good rock plant and is 

 increased by cuttings in sandy soil. Popularly known as the " Prophet 

 Flower ". 



Artemisia (WORMWOOD). The best -known species are the Southern- 

 wood, A. Abrotanum, a fragrant shrubby plant, 2-4 ft. high, also known 

 as "Lad's Love" and "Old Man". It has divided grey -green leaves, and 

 small yellowish flowers. There is a variety, Tobolskiana, larger in all its 

 parts. A. lactiftora grows 4-6 ft. high. It is a noble-looking plant with 

 branching sprays of creamy flowers borne well above the grey-green leaves 

 in August and September. It flourishes in any soil and is even excellent 

 as a bog plant. Other good species are holosericeus and lanata, both with 

 silvery leaves. 



Arum. A small trade is done in the hardy species of Arum, chiefly 



