OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 93 



interlaced itself with a few bushes of this Heath, both being in 

 full bloom at the same time ; the effect was truly fine, the red of 

 the Heath and pale blue flowers of the periwinkle being so 

 numerous and set on such a fine bright green carpet, of two 

 distinct types of foliage, that to my mind they suggested a 

 most pleasing form, of spring bedding, and also one of semi- 

 wildness, which, for quiet beauty, more laboured planting could 

 certainly not excel. Most Ericas require peaty soil ; in the case 

 of this, however, it is not necessary. Doubtless it would do well 

 in peat, but I have ever found it to thrive in ordinary loam or 

 garden soil, so that I have never planted it otherwise, except 

 where peat has been the most handy. It is also easily propa- 

 gated, carrying, as it does, plenty of root as well as earth with 

 each rooted stem ; these only need to be carefully divided and 

 transplanted in showery weather, just before the new growths 

 commence being the best time. An annual top dressing of leaf 

 mould is very beneficial. 



Flowering period, February to April, 



Erigeron Caucasicus. 

 CAUCASIAN FLEABANE ; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 

 HERBACEOUS and perennial. This species is a somewhat 

 recent introduction compared with some of the same genus 

 which may be called old varieties, from having been introduced 

 as early as 1633, as in the case of E. graveolens. Moreover, the 

 genus is represented by such British species as E. acris, E. 

 alpinus, and E. uniflorus. The variety now under notice is, as 

 its specific name implies, a native of the Caucasus, first brought 

 into this country about sixty years ago. It is a pleasing subject 

 when in flower, and is certainly worth growing. 



Its daisy-shaped flowers are less than an inch across, and 

 when fully matured of a rosy purple colour ; but, perhaps, the 

 most interesting and attractive features about this plant are the 

 various forms and colours of its flowers at their different stages 

 of development ; just before opening, the buds are like minia- 

 ture birds' nests formed of white horsehairs, all arranged in the 

 same way, i.e., round the bud, but the points are turned into the 

 centre these are the unexpanded florets; the next stage of 

 development may be seen in buds, say, two days older, when a. 

 few of the florets have sprung from the nest form, and have the 

 appearance of mauve-coloured spiders' legs laid over the bud ; 

 gradually they (being dense and numerous) expand in a similar 

 manner, outgrowing their angularity, and at the same time 

 deepening in colour, until at length we see the rosy-purple, daisy- 

 shaped, and feathery flower with a yellowish centre. These 

 pleasing flowers are borne in loose masses on stems nearly 2ft. 

 high, and remain in bloom all the summer through. 



