OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 



133 



The individual flowers last a long time in perfection, either on 

 the plant or in a cut state ; they vary somewhat iu their colour, 

 some being more brown on the outer side of the sepals, and 

 others much suffused with pink; but under glass, whether in 

 the shape of a bell glass in the open garden, or a greenhouse, 

 they mature to a pure white ; their form is somewhat like that 

 of a single rose, but may be more properly compared to a flower 

 of its own order the single pseonia. It is composed of five 

 sepals, and is 2in. to Sin. across, being white or rose-coloured; 

 these sepals form a corolla-like calyx ; the petals are very short 

 and tubular, nestling down amongst the tassel-like bunch of 



FIG. 48. HELLEBORTJS NIGER. 

 (One-quarter natural size.) 



stamens; the flowers are produced on stout leafless scapes, 

 having one or two bractese ; for the most part the flowers are in 

 ones or pairs, but sometimes there may be seen three, and even 

 four, on a scape. The leaves are radical, having stout, round 

 stalks; they are large and pedate in shape, stout, and of 

 leathery substance. The habit of the plant is neat, growing 

 into rounded tufts. 



In suitable quarters it proves a quick grower, whilst in 

 ungenial situations it will hardly increase, though it is seldom 

 killed. As it happens that its flowers are produced at a most 

 unfavourable time for keeping them clean, they should be 



