90 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



which closely embraces the whole cluster ; said bract springs 

 from the much thickened stalk and is composed of half leaf and 

 half scale-like forms, arranged in two or more circles ; the scales 

 feather off with the leaf -like appendage, the latter being reflexed, 

 but the whole is furnished with spines. The foliage of a well- 

 grown specimen is arranged in tufts, the whole having a grass - 

 like appearance. The leaves are 2in. to 4in. long, rough and 

 hairy on the upper side, smooth and shining underneath, the 

 edges having rather long hairs their whole length ; the main 

 root is long, thick, and somewhat woody. 



To grow this plant well, it requires a good deep loam for its 

 long roots, and a surfacing of grit will be of benefit, as the 

 crowns should be clear of the damp loam. This elevation of the 

 crowns is natural to the plant, and should be provided for. The 

 position cannot well be too exposed, provided the deep searching 

 roots can find plenty of moisture. On rockwork this subject 

 may be planted with considerable effect. If put between large 

 stones in upright positions, the plant will show its pretty form 

 to advantage. The spoke-like flower stalks, radiating from the 

 rich dark green tufts of foliage, are very pleasing. It may be 

 propagated by offsets from strong and healthy plants. Care 

 should be taken not only to have all the roots possible with each 

 crown, but the young stock should be carefully established in 

 pots before planting in the open. Shade and careful watering 

 will be needful ; too much of the latter will render rot inevitable. 

 Soon as the flowering period is past is the best time to divide 

 the roots, which should not be done too severely. 



Flowering period, July and August. 



Epigeea Repens. 



CREEPING or GROUND LAUREL ; Nat. Ord. ERICACE^. 

 A HARDY evergreen creeper, long since imported into this country 

 from North America (1736), but only within the last few years 

 has it won much favour. At the present time it is much sought 

 after. It has the reputation of being a ticklish subject to grow. 

 Many have had it and lost it, and those who still retain a 

 specimen are loth to mutilate it for increase. This may to some 

 extent account for the present demand for and difficulty ex- 

 perienced in obtaining it. For the last three years, hard as the 

 seasons have been within that time, its flowers have been pro- 

 duced in great abundance on my specimen. 



Usually it flowers in this climate in April, but when winter 

 has continued open and genial, its blooms are produced as early 

 as the middle of March, and they are in their full beauty in early 

 April. They are white, delicately tinged with pink, of much 

 substance and wax-like appearance. They are small, not unlike 

 in form the lilac flower, but rather more open at the corolla 



