OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 



169 



scarlet variety. The typical form comes into flower a fortnight 

 earlier than the others, but all may be seen in bloom during 

 July. The very brilliant flowers, which are produced for several 

 weeks in large showy heads, must commend this plant, and its 

 tall habit renders it all the more conspicuous. It ought to be 

 grown in every collection of hardy perennial flowers, amongst 

 which bright scarlets are not too plentiful. In sandy loam, 

 enriched with well-rotted manure, 

 it attains a height of 2ft. to 3ft. 

 The flowers are fin. across, the 

 five petals open flat, and each petal 

 is divided into two rounded seg- 

 ments ; the calyx is hairy, long, 

 bellied, ribbed, five-cleft, and much 

 narrowed at the divisions ; the 

 numerous flowers are arranged in 

 flat clusters, interspersed with many 

 small leaves or bracteoles ; the 

 stems are stout, round, and having 

 hairs pointing downwards ; the nodes 

 or joints are distant and furnished 

 with a pair of stem-clasping, lance- 

 shaped leaves, whence issue short 

 stems that flower later on. The 

 leaves are 2in. to 4in. long, lance- 

 shaped, hairy, waved at the edges, 

 and somewhat recurved. The whole 

 plant is of a clammy character, after 

 the manner of other Catchflies. 



As already hinted, this species, with 

 its varieties, enjoys a sandy soil; a 

 mulching of manure proves of great 

 benefit; not only are the heads of 

 bloom larger for it, but the side 

 shoots are induced to flower freely. 

 In borders of tall plants the scarlets 

 are very showy; they cannot, how- 

 ever, endure shade ; the position 

 should be sunny and open. The pro- 

 pagation of the single forms may be 

 carried out by seed, which ripens 

 in large quantities; in fact, they 

 sow themselves freely. The double 

 kinds should be divided in early 



spring. In a cut state the flowers are both useful and effective, 

 and if kept in a sunny window will continue in good form and 

 open the buds. 



Flowering period, June to August. 



FIG. 61. LYCHNIS CHALCEDONICA. 

 (One-third natural size). 



