Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 23 



somewhat strong -smelling. They flourish in any ordinary soil, and are 

 increased by division or -from seeds. The best kinds are: americana, cordi- 

 folia, dakurica, japonica, racemosa (fig. 190), simplex, and verticillata. 



Clarkia. Showy hardy annuals 1-2 ft. high, of easy growth in any 

 garden soil, raised from seeds sown under glass in January and February 

 for early blooms, or in the open in March, to flower from June onwards. 

 G. elegans, rich crimson, and C. pulchella, rich purple, are both excellent. 

 They sell in pots or shallow boxes in spring. 



Cnicus (Chamsepeuce) Cassabonse. This is the well-known " Fishbone 

 Thistle" of South Europe. It is an ornamental plant, 2-3 ft. high, with deep 

 green spiny fishbone-like leaves, distinctly veined with white. The flowers 

 are pale purple, but the plants are valued for their ornamental appearance, 

 and are frequently used for bedding purposes. C. diacantha, from Syria, 

 is similar, but is easily distinguished by the silvery veins and double ivory- 

 white spines of the leaves. Both kinds are raised from seed sown in gentle 

 heat, the young plants being pricked out in due course, and placed in 3J-in. 

 or 5-in. pots later on for sale, which, however, is limited. 



Cobaea scandens. A beautiful Mexican climber of the Phlox family 

 with pale-green leaflets and tendrils, and bell -shaped purplish flowers. A 

 fairly good trade is done in young plants in spring. These are raised 

 from the flattish, winged seeds sown in January or February, the young 

 plants being afterwards placed in 3J-in. pots with a stake attached. They 

 are chiefly used for climbing over arches, trellises, &c. There is a choice 

 and more tender form having variegated leaves. 



Collinsia bicolor. A fine Calif ornian annual, 1-1 \ ft. high, with ovate 

 heart-shaped leaves and white and rose-purple flowers in the type. There 

 are many varieties, including pure -white ones, and some in which the 

 flowers are striped with lilac, rose, or violet. C. grandiflora has rose 

 and blue flowers, and C. verna white and clear blue. A good trade is 

 done in the seeds of C. bicolor, and also in plants in boxes for summer 

 flowering. 



Conandron ramondioides. A pretty Japanese perennial, 6 in. high, 

 resembling Ramondia in appearance. It has lilac flowers with a bright- 

 purple centre in summer, and likes a peaty soil. Increased by dividing 

 and pegging down the rhizomes in spring. 



Convolvulus tricolor. This charming South European annual (also 

 known as C. minor) grows about 1 ft. high, and produces its lovely 

 funnel-shaped flowers from July to September in such colours as pink, 

 rose, crimson, violet, white, striped, &c. 



C. major (also known as Ipomcea purpurea), and popular as the 

 " Morning Glory ", has twining slender stems and beautiful funnel-shaped 

 flowers of all shades of velvety colours purple, scarlet, blue, white, &c., 

 being represented. 



These annuals are raised in heat from seeds sown in February and 

 March, and are fit for sale in April, May, and June. 



Other species of Convolvulus grown in small quantities are C. Cneorwm 



