OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 159 



ways. The teeth have spine-like points, and the only uniform 

 trait about their form seems to be that the edges are turned 

 backwards. The upper surface is a pale green colour, the under 

 side grey, almost white. It is of rather neat habit, and though 

 I have not grown it in lines, it is only needful to see one good 

 specimen in order to be certain of its effectiveness when so 

 planted ; it would be singularly distinct. 



It enjoys sunny quarters and deep but light or sandy loam. 

 With me it does well on a raised bed of light earth ; its long tap 

 roots will save it from drought during the driest summer, when 

 its fleshy and fast-growing foliage would lead one to think that 

 it could not endure a dry time. It is readily increased by 

 division of the roots or seed. 



Flowering period, September to strong frosts. 



Lathyrus Grandiflorus 



LARGE-FLOWERED EVERLASTING PEA ; Nat. Ord. LEGUMINOS^:. 



A HARDY, herbaceous climber, coming from the South of Europe. 

 It was introduced to this country nearly seventy years ago; 

 it is an attractive object when in bloom, growing 6ft. high and 

 being very floriferous. The flowers are nearly 2in. across. Not 

 only in good soil do specimens grow densely and become furnished 

 from the ground to the extremities of the stalks with bloom, but 

 the roots run under the surface so rapidly that a veritable 

 thicket is formed in three or four years. It is as well to allow 

 this fine pea a good broad space, in the midst of which several 

 iron standards, 6ft. high, should be firmly fixed; to these, fresh 

 twiggy branches might be secured every spring ; if the old ones are 

 left in, their rottenness will allow them to snap off during strong 

 winds when the tendrils have laid hold of them; but fresh 

 branches, used as suggested, will bend but not break, and will 

 withstand the strongest winds. This is very important, as, if 

 the mass of foliage heads over, it is spoilt for the season. 



The flowers are dark rose colour, produced in twos and threes 

 on longish stalks, which spring from the axils. The tendrils are 

 three-cut, having a pair of oval leaflets ; the stems are square, or 

 four-angled, and slightly twisted and winged. This plant may 

 be grown in any soil or situation. A specimen does well with 

 me planted in rubble, where it covers a short rain-water pipe, the 

 said pipe being feathered with twigs every spring ; but to have 

 flowers of extra size and luxuriant growth, plant in good loam, 

 in a sunny site, and top dress with stable manure every spring. 

 This large Pea-flower is most useful for cutting purposes, being 

 not only handsome but very durable. The running roots may be 

 transplanted in early spring, just before they make any stem. 



Flowering period, June to August. 



