OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 3 



nowhere does it appear in better health or more at home than 

 when carpeting the walk or track of the rock garden. 



It is self -propagating, but when it is desirable to move a tuft 

 of it, it should be done during the growing season, so that it 

 may begin to root at once and get established, otherwise the wind 

 and frosts will displace it. 



It blooms from June to September, more or less, but only the 

 earliest flowers produce well-coloured spines. 



Achillea /Egyptica. 



EGYPTIAN YARROW ; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 



THIS is an evergreen (though herb-like) species. It has been 

 grown for more than 200 years in English gardens, and origin- 

 ally came, as its name implies, from Egypt. Notwithstanding 

 the much warmer climate of its native country, it proves to be 

 one of the hardiest plants in our gardens. I dare say many will 

 think the Yarrows are not worthy of a place in the garden ; 

 but it should not be forgotten that not only are fine and 

 useful flowers included in this work, but also the good " old- 

 fashioned " kinds, and that a few such are to be found amongst 

 the Yarrows is without doubt. Could the reader see the 

 collection now before me, cut with a good piece of stem and 

 some foliage, and pushed into a deep vase, he would not only 

 own that they were a pleasing contrast, but quaintly grand for 

 indoor decoration. 



A. JEgyptica not only produces a rich yellow flower, but the 

 whole plant is ornamental, having an abundance of finely- 

 cut foliage, which, from a downy or nappy covering, has a 

 pleasing grey or silvery appearance. The flowers are produced 

 on long stems nearly 2ft. high, furnished at the nodes with 

 clean grey tufts of smaller-sized leaves ; near the top the stems 

 .are all but naked, and are terminated by the flat heads or 

 corymbs of closely-packed flowers. They are individually small, 

 but the corymbs will be from 2in. to Sin. across. Their form is 

 that of the common Yarrow, but the colour is a bright light 

 yellow. The leaves are 6in. to Sin. long, narrow and pinnate, 

 the leaflets of irregular form, variously toothed and lobed ; the 

 whole foliage is soft to the touch, from the nappy covering, as 

 already mentioned. Its flowers, from their extra fine colour, are 

 very telling in a cut state. The plant is suitable for the borders, 

 more especially amongst other old kinds. Ordinary garden 

 loam suits it, and its propagation may be carried out at any 

 time by root division. 



Flowering period, June to September. 



B2 



