OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 



125 



stems, but they harmonise with the general arrangement of 

 foliage, and, indeed, from their bract-like leanness, somewhat 

 enrich it. This is one of the latest-blooming Sunflowers. The 

 leaves are Sin. to Sin. long, and ^in. to lin. wide, the lower half 

 on the stems droop, though they are of good substance ; the 

 upper half bend gracefully, and, from their close arrangement, 

 all but hide the stem. At the axils of the larger leaves, tufts of 



FI<J. 47. HELIANTHUS ORTQALIS. 

 (One-eighth natural size ; flower, one-fourth natural size.) 



smaller (much smaller) leaves appear, causing the long stems to 

 be top-heavy. Still, they wave and bend during the strongest 

 winds without supports or damage. It will be seen that the use- 

 fulness of this plant consists in its distinct form and -tallness, 

 and that it is effective is without doubt. Among low shrubs, 

 or with other tall things, will prove suitable quarters for jt. 



Any kind of soil will do, shelter from the wind being the most 

 important, and perhaps the only point to study when planting. 

 It is propagated by root divisions when the tops have withered. 



Flowering period, September and October. 



