OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 129 



green or red, is too valuable to be neglected. The flowers are borne 

 on stems 6in. to 12in. high, which are twice and thrice branched 

 or forked, having six to twelve blossoms on a stem. The flowers 

 are bright green, nearly 2in. across, cup-shaped, and drooping. 

 The sepals are somewhat oval, concave, and overlapping ; petals 

 very short, pale green, and evenly arranged; stamens creamy-" 

 white ; styles green. The flowers are supported by floral leaves, 

 which are much divided, in the way of those of H. purpurascens, 

 but the segments are more irregular in shape. The radical leaves 

 have long stems, and are palmate ; divisions lobed. It dies down 

 entirely during the autumn. Being a vigorous grower and free 

 bloomer, and the flowers very durable withal, it should be largely 

 grown for the sake of its sweet-scented blossoms for cutting pur- 

 poses. There is an allied variety cultivated under the name of 



H. S. angustifolia (narrow-leaved). Assuming that H. Bocconi 

 is a species, this is a variety but slightly removed from the 

 typical form, inasmuch as the latter is not only much cut in the 

 floral and radical leaves, but the shape is uncertain. This form, 

 then, which, at least by its name, claims a specific feature in the 

 cut of leaf, may be somewhat difficult to identify, more especially 

 as there are no other dissimilarities of note. Seen, however, as a 

 well-grown specimen, the feature of narrow foliage is not only 

 manifest, but the plant is very effective. 



Cultivation and flowering period, the same as with H. 

 Abchasicus. 



Helleborus Colchicus. 



COLCHICAN HELLEBORE; Nat. Ord. BANUNCULACE^. 

 A NEW species from Asia Minor. This is a strong grower and 

 blooms well. The flowers vary in size and shade, but it may be 

 said to be distinct in form and pronounced in colour, the latter 

 being an uncommon feature with the Hellebores ; either growing 

 or cut it is indispensable to a group. Moreover, it is one of the 

 best flowers of the genus, and would stand high even in a selection 

 of the best six; it is one that should have a place in every 

 collection. 



It flowers amongst the previous season's foliage on branched 

 stems ; the sepals are somewhat round and flat, which gives the 

 flower a stiff appearance. Still, from their unusual deep purple 

 colour and the yellow stamens, together with the manner in 

 which the sepals overlap each other, the flower is a most effective 

 one ; the petals are a bright green, and blend harmoniously with 

 the yellow and purple parts. The leaves are very large, pedate, 

 dentate, and distinctly veined. In a young state the foliage is 

 richly coloured or tinted with " bloom." It enjoys a rich sandy 

 loam and summer shade. 



Cultivation, the same as for H. Abchasicus. 



Flowering period, January to March. 



