OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 115 



shaped, the lower ones being heart-shaped; they are closely 

 arranged in pairs, are sessile, and at right angles with the stem. 



It seems to enjoy a shady damp corner in rockwork, where its 

 distinct forms and neat habit appear to advantage. It should "be 

 planted in vegetable soil, such as peat or well-decayed leaves 

 mixed with sand. It cannot endure drought at the roots. It is 

 a slow-growing plant, but very floriferous ; the flowers last fully 

 a fortnight in good form, the weather, however rough or wet, 

 seeming to have no effect on them. In a cut state it is exquisite, 

 but those who properly value the Gentians, especially the slow 

 growers, will hardly care to cut away the stems, as, by doing so, 

 not only will the plant be checked, but next year's growth will 

 prove reduced in both number and vigour. It is propagated by 

 root division when in a dormant state. I have also successfully 

 transplanted this kind after it has made considerable growth, 

 but the roots have been carefully guarded against dryness. 



Flowering period, June to August. 



Gentiana Verna. 



SPRING ALPINE FELWORT ; Nat. Ord. GENTIANACE.E. 

 A NATIVE evergreen creeper. This plant has many synony- 

 mous names in old books. It is now, however, well known by 

 the above Latin name. Let nae at once say that it is a matchless 

 gem. Its flowers are such as to attract the notice of any but a 

 blind person. It is said to be rare now in this country, still, I 

 think it is far from being extinct in its wild state. Be that as it 

 may, it is fortunate that it can be easily cultivated, and nothing 

 in a garden can give more pleasure. Its flowers are blue but 

 such a blue ! the most intense, with a large and sharply defined 

 white eye, and though only |in. across, one on each stem, and 

 Sin. high, they are grandly effective. It has a tubular, angled 

 calyx ; corolla five-cut. The leaves are oval, nearly lin. long, and 

 half as broad; dark shining green and of leathery substance. 

 The radical leaves are crowded into a nearly rosette form. 



By many this Gentian is considered difficult to grow, but if a 

 proper beginning is made it proves to be of the easiest manage- 

 ment. Very suitable places may be found for it in, not on, rock- 

 work, where good fat loam forms the staple soil ; little corners, 

 not above the ground level, but on, or better still, below the 

 ground level, are sure to meet its requirements ; on the edge of 

 a border, too, where moisture collects in the small gutter, has 

 proved a suitable position for it. But, perhaps, the most suc- 

 cessful way of growing it is in pots, for, as with Trientalis 

 Europa and other root creepers, when so treated more compact 

 specimens are obtained. It is important to begin with properly- 

 rooted plants, the crowns of which are often 2in. to Sin. below 

 the surface ; from these spring the numerous, bare, yellow, wiry 



i2 



