OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 185 



is simple, and may be carried out either by division of the 

 old roots or by transplanting the self-sown seedlings into their 

 blooming quarters, during March or April. 

 Flowering period, June to August. 



Omphalodes Verna. 



CREEPING FORGET-ME-NOT ; Syn. CYNOGLOSSTJM OMPHALODES; 



Nat. Ord. BORAGINACE^. 



THE common name of this pretty, hardy, herbaceous creeper at 

 once gives the keynote to its description ; it is a very old plant 

 in English gardens, and a native of South Europe. Parkinson 

 gives a very neat description of it : " This small borage shooteth 

 forth many leaves from the roote, every one upon a long stalke, 

 of a darke greene colour ; the stalkes are small and slender, not 

 above halfe a foote high, with very few leaves thereon, and at 

 the toppes come forth the flowers, made of five blew round 

 pointed leaves, every one upon a long foote stalke." This, 

 together with the well-known form and habit of the plant, leaves 

 little more to be said byway of description; and it maybe added 

 that though the flowers are akin to forget-me-nots, but more 

 brilliant, the foliage is very different indeed, being nearly heart- 

 shaped, and over 2in. long. Its habit is such that though its 

 flowers are small, they are somewhat conspicuous, from their 

 brightness, abundance, and manner in which they are produced, 

 i.e., well above a bright green mass of leaves ; only bold clumps, 

 however, show to such advantage. "When the plant is fairly 

 established, it makes rapid growth, increasing itself somewhat 

 strawberry fashion, by runners. 



It is worthy of note here that this semi-woody creeper does 

 well under trees not too densely grown. Many inquiries are made 

 for such subjects, and this is one of the number (which is far 

 from ample) that can be relied upon for not only covering the 

 bare earth, but also for bespangling such position with its bright 

 blossoms for two months in spring. I have also tried it in pots, 

 grown and bloomed under the shade of a trellised peach tree, in 

 a "small house, without artificial heat, where it not only did well, 

 but vied with the violets for effectiveness. 



This otherwise robust plant I have found to die when divided 

 in the autumn (a period when many indeed, I may say most 

 perennials are best transplanted), but when its propagation is 

 carried out in spring, it grows like a weed. 



Flowering period, March to May. 



Ononis Rotundifolia. 



BOUND-LEAVED BE STH ARROW ; Nat. Ord. LEGTJMINOS^. 

 ONE of the most charming of the " old-fashioned " border flowers, 

 having been grown in this country since 1570. Jt came from 



