160 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



Lathyrus Latifolius. 



LARGE-LEAVED LATHYRUS, or EVERLASTING PEA; Nat' Ord. 



LEGUMINOS^E. 



THIS deciduous climber is one of the handsomest plants of the 

 British flora (see Fig. 57); in its wild state it is a charming 

 object, and under cultivation, in full exposure to sunshine, with 

 proper provision for its tendrils, and kept clear of weeds, it 



FIG. 57. LATHYRUS LATIFOLIUS. 

 (One-sixth natural size.) 



becomes in every way one of the finest objects in the garden, 

 whether considered as a decorative climber, a floral specimen, or 

 a source of cut flowers. 



It grows fully 8ft. high, in deep and rich soil, and is furnished 

 with large, many-flowered bunches of blossom from the leaf axils 

 nearly all its length, each flower stalk being Gin. to 9in. long. 

 The flowers are of a lively rose colour, about twelve in a 

 cluster ; tendrils five- cut, long, and two-leaved. The leaves are in 

 pairs, elliptical, many ribbed, glaucous, and very large, whence 



