152 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



planted wrong as regards either soil or situation. It forms a 

 rich surfacing subject, all the year round, to other tall plants, as 

 lilies, &c. It looks well as a front specimen in the shrubbery, 

 makes an effective and neat appearance at the angles of walks, 

 or as an edging it may be cut and trimmed as a substitute for a 

 grass verge ; it thrives on sunny or almost sunless outhouse tops, 

 and on rockwork it is superb ; moreover, it grows fairly well in 

 reeky towns, and though its white flowers may be soiled the day 

 they open, its bright green leaves and dense habit render it a 

 pleasing object. 



The flowers are arranged in flat heads at first, but as the stems 

 become elongated and the succession of buds open, a long round 

 cluster is formed by the old flowers remaining (as they do for 

 weeks), such heads or spikes sometimes being 3in. long. There 

 is much substance in the petals, which causes them to glisten 

 in strong light ; the flower stems are produced 5in. or 6in. above 

 the foliage, their total height rarely exceeding a foot. The leaves 

 are numerous, of a dark shining green colour ; in length l^in., 

 and over ^in. broad near the ends ; their shape is spathulate, 

 obtuse, entire, and smooth; the new set of foliage contrasts 

 pleasingly with the old, and its growth is completed during the 

 flowering period ; the woody and slender branches are numerous 

 and procumbent. 



Besides the positions already mentioned, in which this shrub 

 may usefully be planted, there is none more so, perhaps, than 

 that of rough or unsightly corners, where, if it is provided 

 with a little loam, it will soon adapt its form to the surround- 

 ings. The flowers in a cut state are not only sweet- smelling, but 

 very useful where white bloom is needed in quantity, as for 

 church decorations. I. correcefolia can scarcely be said to need 

 cultural treatment, but it is useful to bear in mind that it may 

 be much more finely bloomed if generously treated, which 

 simply consists in nothing more than giving it a sunny place 

 and sandy loam, well enriched with old manure. Specimens so 

 treated, which were cuttings only two years ago, are now 2ft. in 

 diameter, and covered densely with large flowers; and how 

 lovely some of the pretty weeds which have sprung up amongst 

 the bushes, and mingle their flowers among the masses of white, 

 appear such as Spring Beauty ( Clay tonia), pink flowers; the 

 Maiden Pink (Dianthus deltoides), rose; Self-heal (Prunella 

 pyrenaica], purple ; and the forget-me-nots ! This comparatively 

 new Candytuft is as easily increased as grown, by either layers 

 or cuttings ; the latter may be put in almost any time, early 

 spring being the best ; if put in in June, no better quarters can 

 be given than under the shade of shrubs, where the soil is sandy 

 loam. 



Flowering period, middle of May to middle of June. 



