Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 



21 



of sky-blue flowers having a white centre. It has several varieties, such 

 as nana, gigantea, and sardensis (fig. 188), and also a white one. 



11 



\ >-' ^ 



Fig. ~L88.Chionodoxa sardensis 



Chrysanthemum. Apart from the florist's varieties of C. indicum, 

 which are dealt with in the next section, there are many species largely 

 grown for cut flowers, and also for the roots and seeds. The annual kinds, 

 like carinatum or tricolor, with its numerous varieties (of which Bur- 

 ridgeanum is one of the best), are raised from seeds every spring, sown 

 under glass, the young plants being afterwards pricked out into shallow 

 boxes 2-3 in. apart, or placed singly in 3-in. pots for sale. There are 

 single- and double-flowered varieties, the " singles " having the flower heads 

 symmetrically banded with white, lilac, purple, yellow, maroon, &c.; the 

 " doubles " being generally white or yellow. 



The Crown Daisy ((7. coronarium) is another showy annual species 

 (fig. 189), 2-3 ft. high, with less finely divided leaves than in C. carinatum, 

 and bright-yellow, white, or orange flower heads in single and double forms. 

 These are also sold in small pots and boxes (often under the name of 

 11 Marguerites " by costermongers), realizing from 6d. to Is. 6d. per dozen. 

 The British Corn Marigold (C. segetum) is another annual H ft. high, with 

 golden-yellow flower heads from June to September. It is easily raised 

 from seeds, and is useful for cut flowers. 



Amongst the hardy herbaceous perennials C. maximum and its varieties 

 hold the premier place. (7. maximum itself is a Pyrenean plant 2-3 ft. 

 high, with glossy-green, leathery, toothed leaves, and large white flowers 

 with a yellow centre. It grows in any good garden soil, and likes plenty 

 of sunshine. Plants sell readily as " roots ", but the market grower attaches 

 most importance to the flowers. Large quantities are grown for Covent 

 Garden and other markets, and although the prices are sometimes very 



