OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 101 



part, where they will root and become useful stock for the fol- 

 lowing spring, or strong examples may be pulled to pieces of 

 the desired size. 



Festuca Glauca. 



BLUE GRASS ; Nat. Ord. GRAMINE^}. 



THIS comes from the warm climate of Southern Europe, but is 

 a perfectly hardy grass in this country ; it is highly ornamental, 

 irrespective of its flowers, and is useful in several ways. With me 

 it is grown somewhat largely, and both professional and amateur 

 gardeners have quickly appreciated its effectiveness, but it has 

 been amusing to see their want of faith when told that " it 

 stands out all winter." It belongs to a section of grasses of fine 

 quality as fodder for cattle, all enjoying good soil of a light and 

 rich nature. Its main features as a garden subject are its dis- 

 tinct blue colour and dense graceful habit ; these qualities, how- 

 ever, are greatly dependent on the quality of soil, which must be 

 positively rich. Its bloom is of no value ornamentally, being 

 much like that of some of our common meadow grasses, and it 

 will be as well to remove it in order that the grass may be all the 

 brighter and more luxuriant. The blades, if they can be so 

 called, are reed-like, but very fine, 6in. to 12in. long, densely 

 produced, and gracefully bending. The glaucous quality is most 

 pronounced, and quite justifies the common name Blue Grass. 

 More need not be said to show that this must be effective in a 

 garden, especially where bedding and the formation of bold lines 

 are carried out ; as single tufts, on rockwork, or in the borders, 

 it looks well ; whilst as an edging to taller grasses and bamboos 

 it shows all to advantage. It is also often grown in pots in 

 greenhouses, where it proves useful for drooping over the edges 

 of the stage ; but if it once obtains a place in the garden and is 

 well grown, the amateur will see in it a suitable subject for many 

 and varied uses. 



Wherever it is planted the soil should be made sandy and fat 

 with manure ; in this the long roots are not only warmer, but 

 they amply support a rapid growth and metallic lustre. As the 

 roots can easily be lifted from the light soil without damage, 

 this grass may be divided any time when increase is needful. 



Flowering period, summer. 



Fritillaria Armena. 



Nat. Ord. LILIACE^E. 



A CHARMING little hardy bulbous perennial, which, although 

 as yet a comparative stranger in this country, bids fair to find 

 a place not only in our gardens, but in the list of the choicest 

 spring favourites, such as lily of the valley, snowdrops, snowflake, 



