124 HAEDY PERENNIALS AND 



three years old, will, in average weather, last in good form for 

 fully six weeks. The colour (yellow) is common to the Sun- 

 flowers. This species has flowers which vary much in size, from 

 2in. to 6in. across, and they are produced on stems 3ft. to 6ft. 

 high, well furnished with large heart-shaped leaves of a herb- 

 like character, distinctly nerved, toothed, and rough. 



Flowering period, August and September. 



H.m.fl.-pl. is, of course, the double form of the above, the 

 disk being represented by a mass of florets considerably shorter 

 than those of the ray proper. The flowers are not produced in 

 such large numbers as with the typical form, neither does the 

 plant grow so tall, but the foliage is a little larger ; these con- 

 stitute all the points of difference which I have noticed. These 

 forms of Sunflower are very effective nowhere, perhaps, so 

 much as amongst shrubs. The plants lift well, carrying a good 

 ball that facilitates their being placed in pots even when in 

 bloom, when, as I have lately seen, they may be used in a most 

 telling manner with potted shrubs in large halls, corridors, and 

 public buildings. In such places they get no sun to make 

 them droop, and a good watering keeps them as fresh as if they 

 had not been disturbed. Of the usefulness of this flower in a 

 cut state nothing whatever need be said who has not tried it ? 

 Doubtless, when it becomes unfashionable it will have fewer 

 patrons, but it will be the same flower, richly beautiful sesthetic. 

 No special culture is needed, any kind of garden soil will suit it ; 

 if well enriched, all the better. Any situation will do but one 

 too densely shaded. Propagated by splitting the roots after the 

 plants have done flowering, or in spring. 



Flowering period, August and September. 



Helianthus Orygalis. 



GRACEFUL SUNFLOWER; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 

 YET another Sunflower, and one, too, of the common yel- 

 low colour, and not otherwise attractive, as may be seen by 

 the illustration (Fig. 47) of course, I am now referring to the 

 flower only. There are, however, features about this species 

 which all must admire ; stems 7ft. high, furnished with bright 

 foliage, in the manner indicated, are not mean objects, even if 

 topped with but a common yellow composite. This is a native 

 of North America, and of recent introduction ; it is a distinct 

 species, and for foliage a prince among its fellows. I know not 

 another to nearly approach it, H. angustifolius being perhaps 

 the nearest, but that species has never with me proved of more 

 than a biennial character, and its leaves, though long and 

 narrow, are irregular and herby. 



The flowers need not be further described beyond saying that 

 they are borne on short side shoots, near the top of the main 



