154 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



maidenhair-like rues, and the illustration may be said to give a 

 fair idea of three or four species. 



The Isopyrum under notice grows 12in. or 15in. high, and 

 produces its dark brown flowers on slender, well-branched stems, 

 forming feathery panicles, which have a graceful appearance. 

 The flowers are very small, and composed of a five-cleft calyx, 

 five equal petals, and numerous long, pendent seed-organs ; the 

 stems are elegantly furnished with the fine-cut foliage. The 

 leaves are large, but the leaflets small, as may be seen by the one 

 given, full size, in the drawing (Fig. 54), being somewhat 



FIG. 54. ISOPYRUM GEACILIS. 

 (One-eighth natural size ; 1, leaflet, full size.) 



cordate, lobed, and dentate ; they have hair-like stalks, which 

 add to their elegance of arrangement, and their glaucous colour 

 further enhances their effectiveness. 



This light and diffuse subject may be usefully planted to 

 relieve other kinds ; in beds or lines it looks well, having a 

 lace-like effect ; as a cut flower or spray it nearly equals maiden- 

 hair, and for mixing with large flowers, it perhaps excels. Either 

 cut or in the growing state it is very durable. It may be grown 

 in average garden soil, but to have it fine, it should be given 

 vegetable soil and a moist situation, not shaded. It is propagated 

 by seeds or division of the roots in autumn. 



Flowering period, July and August. 



