52 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



smooth, and of a dark green colour ; the main stems are very 

 stout, and sometimes grow to the height of 7ft. Vigorous plants 

 will send up several of these, from which a great number of 

 small ones issue, all assuming an erect habit ; blooming speci- 

 mens are hardly anything else than a wand-like set of flowered 

 stems, and though it is advisable to stake them, I have seen 

 them bend and wave during high winds without damage. 



In the borders and shrubbery this is a very effective subject ; 

 it is amongst herbaceous plants what the Lombardy poplar is 



FIG. 23. CAMPANULA PYRAMIDALIS. 

 (One-twentieth natural size ; a, one-liulf natural size. ) 



amongst forest trees tall, elegant, and distinct. Its use, however, 

 is somewhat limited, owing to the stiffness of the stems and the 

 shortness of the flower stalks ; but when grown in pots as it 

 often is for indoor decoration, it proves useful for standing 

 amongst orange and camellia trees. It has very strong tap 

 roots, and enjoys a deep rich loam. Not only does it look well 

 among trees, but otherwise the partial shade of such quarters 

 seems conducive to finer bloom. 

 Flowering period, July to October. 



