OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 143 



some of the panicled bloom of meadow grass, when seen at a 

 short distance ; the calyces, however, are persistent, they crown 

 the capsules; these and the naked stems, from their durable 

 nature, mar the beauty of the foliage for several weeks, unless cut 

 off. The plants are more ornamental without the flowers, as they 

 impart a seedy appearance ; at no time does the foliage show to 

 more advantage than in January, when most herbaceous plants 

 are dormant, and when their handsome tufts are alike beautiful, 

 either bedewed with fogs, crystallised with hoar-frost, or glitter- 

 ing in the sunshine. As a genus, Heuchera is sometimes placed 

 after Saxifraga and before that of Tiarella ; the latter it much 

 resembles, as well as the genera Mitella and Tellima. Anyone 

 knowing these will at once admit the usefulness of the plants 

 under notice. 



Not only do they make good edgings or lines to borders, but 

 the leaves in a cut state are of great service for table decora- 

 tion, doing duty repeatedly around dishes, &c., either with or 

 without flowers; after being so used, if placed in water, they 

 may be kept a fortnight in good form. I am told that the 

 leaves are sold in Covent Garden Market for similar purposes. 

 I have seen them used in the autumn with the large white 

 anemone, and in winter with the Christmas rose, one flower 

 arranged and tied on the face of a single leaf. These placed 

 round dishes, &c., have a pretty effect. 



They grow freely in any kind of soil, excepting stiff clay, 

 and are readily increased by division of the crowns. This may 

 be done any time, but, perhaps, spring is the best. 



The Heucheras bloom from May to August. 



Heuchera Americana. 



AMERICAN HETJCHERA; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^. 

 THE flowers of this species are a dull or reddish purple. The 

 foliage is rough and clammy; the form of leaf resembles that of 

 H. glabra (see Fig. 51), but the colour is a lighter green. All 

 the genus are of an astringent nature, but this species is 

 remarkably so, and in its native country has earned for the 

 family the name of " Alum-root." 



For cultivation and flowering period see Heuchera. 



Heuchera Cylindrica. 



CYLINDRICAL-SPIKED HEUCHERA; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^E. 

 THIS is much in the way of H. Richardsoni, with the distinction 

 indicated by the name, the flowers being arranged evenly round 

 the spike like a cylinder. 



For cultivation and flowering period see Heuchera 



