82 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



The leaves are small, scarcely lin. long, linear, lance-shaped, and 

 of a dark green colour ; they are closely arranged on decumbent 

 stems, which sometimes are more than 1ft. long. The habit 

 is compact, both as regards leaves, stems, and flowers. 



For all such places as afford dryness at the roots this is a 

 suitable plant as a constant bloomer of effective colour. When 

 once it has become established it seeds freely, and the young 

 plants may be seen in the walks for yards around the parent 

 stock. It is one of those happy subjects that can take care 

 of themselves, either braving its enemies or having none. 



In its wild state it blooms from the sixth to the tenth month, 

 both inclusive; but with cultural attention and during favourable 

 winters, it has been seen in flower to the end of the year. 



Flowering period, June to October. 



Dianthus Hybridus. 



Syn. D. MTJLTIFLORTJS ; MULE PINK ; Nat. Ord. 



CARYOPHYLLACE^E. 



HARDY and evergreen. The specific name of this variety is not at 

 all descriptive, and it may be better to at once give its common 

 name of Mule Pink, of which there are various colours, as bright 

 scarlet, rose and pure white, all very double and neat flowers. 



It is the double rose kind which has induced me to speak of 

 this section of the Pink and Sweetwilliam family. I dare say 

 many will be surprised when I state that my strongest plant of 

 this has been in flower more than two years. Severe as the 

 1881 winter was, when the plant was clear of snow it was seen to 

 have both flowers and buds in fact, for two years it has 

 flowered unceasingly; the other varieties are not such per- 

 sistent bloomers. The genus to which these hybrids belong is 

 very numerous, and includes Carnations, Picotees, garden and 

 alpine Pinks and Sweetwilliams. They are all remarkable for 

 their fresh green and glaucous foliage and handsome flowers. 

 Some species or varieties are amongst the " old-fashioned " 

 garden plants of Parkinson's time, and all are characterised by 

 an exquisite perfume. The Latin name of this genus is a very 

 happy one, meaning " divine flower," in reference to its fragrance. 

 Nearly every form and colour of Dianthus are popular favour- 

 ites, and hardly any garden is without some of them. 



The Mule Pink is supposed to have been produced from D. 

 barbatus and D. plumarius ; be that as it may, the features of 

 both are distinctly seen in it : the colour and partial form of the 

 foliage, the form of stems, and clustered arrangement of the 

 buds much resemble D. barbatus or Sweetwilliam ; whilst the 

 stout reflexed and pointed features of the leaves, and the general 

 form of the small but double flowers resemble D. plumarius, or 

 the garden Pink. To this description of D. hybridus I will only 



