84 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



All the Dodecatheons make a rapid growth in spring, their 

 scapes being developed with the leaves ; the genus will continue 

 in flower for two months,, after which time, however, their foliage 

 begins to dry up. They should, therefore, be planted with other 

 subjects of later growth and blooming, so as to avoid blank 

 spaces. The overshading foliage of other things will do them no- 

 harm, as it will be only for a season. The position should 

 be moist and somewhat sheltered from high winds, or the stout 

 and tender flower stems will be snapped oft. The soil should be 

 of a vegetable character and retentive of moisture. My speci- 

 mens are grown in leaf soil and loam, in a dip of small rockwork. 

 All the kinds were planted that a large flat stone, which we had 

 ready, would so fit to, or over, them as to secure their roots 

 against drought. This I find a good plan with moisture-loving 



subjects, where suitable positions 

 are not otherwise readily offered. 

 Besides, the varieties so grown 

 have a pleasing appearance, and 

 for purposes of comparison are 

 very handy. Their propagation is 

 easy. The crowns may be divided 

 either in spring or autumn, the 

 latter being the best time, as then 

 probably each piece will flower the 

 following spring. 



Flowering period, April to June. 



Dodecatheon Meadia. 



SHOOTING STAR, or AMERICAN 



COWSLIP; JVa.0nZ.PRIMULACE,3E. 



A DISTINCT and pretty herba- 

 ceous perennial, very hardy and 

 floriferous. Those who do not 

 readily recognise it by any of the 

 above names, may do so by the 

 illustration (Fig. 34). It has long 

 been grown in English gardens 

 nearly 150 years its habitat being 

 Fiu.34. DODECATHEON MEADIA. North America. Not only does 



(One-sixth natural size.) it do well in this climate, but since 



its introduction several improved 



varieties of this species have been produced, which are both 

 good and distinct. A brief notice of them will not be out of 

 place here, but first the general description may as well be 

 given. 



The flowers much resemble the Cyclamen, but they are only 



