40 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



they have the scent of Southernwood. It grows well with me in 

 ordinary garden loam, the situation being well exposed to the 

 sun. It may be readily propagated by root division. 

 Flowering period, August to October. 



Bellis Perennis. 



COMMON PERENNIAL DAISY; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 

 THIS native plant, the commonest flower of the field and way- 

 side, and the weed of our grass-plots, is the parent form of the 

 handsome and popular double kinds seen in almost every 

 garden. "Well known as these flowers are, it may prove 

 interesting to learn a little more about the fine large double 

 crimson and white kinds their treatment, for instance in 

 order to have abundance of flowers during the earliest months 

 of the year ; and the uses to which they may be most advan- 

 tageously put ; for, common as are the Daisies, they are, without 

 doubt, amongst the most useful flowers we possess. First, I will 

 briefly give the names and descriptions of the more distinct 

 varieties. 



B. p. aucubifolia is the Double Daisy, having a beautifully 

 variegated foliage, mottled with golden-yellow in the way of the 

 aucuba. 



B. p. fistulosa. This is the double crimson or pink Daisy, 

 having its florets piped or quilled (see Fig. 19). 



B. p. hortensis embraces all the double forms raised and 

 cultivated in gardens, no matter what colour, and so distin- 

 guished from the typical form of the fields. 



B. p. prolifera is that curious and favourite kind called " Hen 

 and Chickens." The flowers are double, and from the imbricate 

 calyx of the normal flower there issue a number of smaller 

 Daisies having straggling florets ; the whole on one main stalk 

 presenting a bouquet-like effect. 



These kinds, the specific names of which are not only 

 descriptive, but amply embrace the group, are much added to by 

 flowers having other names and minor distinctions, the latter, 

 for the most part, being only shades or mixtures of colour as 

 crimson, pink, white, and bicolours. The florets in many kinds 

 are exceedingly pretty, from the way in which they are tipped 

 and shaded ; notably, a new variety that was sent me under the 

 name of Dresden China. These sorts having different tints are 

 usefully named with " florists' " names as Pearl, Snowball, Bob 

 Boy, Sweep, Bride, &c. I may say that I have long grown the 

 Daisy largely, Bride and Sweep being the favourite kinds ; both 

 are robust growers, very hardy and early. Bride is the purest 

 white, with florets full, shining, and well reflexed ; rather larger 

 than a florin, and when fully developed has a half globular 

 appearance ; another good point is its flower stalks being 4in. 



