OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 187 



It grows 18in. high, and is erect and branched in habit ; the 

 flowers are produced on short side shoots ; in form they are pea- 

 flower- shaped, as the reader will infer from the order to which 

 the shrub belongs. The raceme seldom has more than two or 

 three flowers fully open at one time, when they are of a shaded 

 pink colour, and nearly an inch in length ; the leaves are lin. to 

 2in., ternate, sometimes in fives, ovate, toothed, and covered with 

 glandular hairs. 



The plant should be grown in bold specimens for the best effect. 

 Ordinary garden soil suits it; if deeply dug and enriched, all 

 the better. It is not so readily increased by division of the roots 

 as many border plants, though root slips may, with care, be 

 formed into nice plants the first season ; the better plan is to sow 

 the seed as soon as well ripened, from which more vigorous plants 

 may be had, and they will sometimes flower the following 

 summer, though far short of their natural size. 



Flowering period, June to September. 



Onosma Taurica. 



GOLDEN DROP; Nat. Ord. BORAGINACE^J. 



A HARDY perennial, somewhat woody, and retaining much of its 

 foliage in a fresh state throughout the winter, though by some 

 described as herbaceous. The leaves which wither remain per- 

 sistent, and sometimes this proves a source of danger to the 

 specimen, from holding moisture during our wet winters, causing 

 rot to set in. It is a comparatively new plant in English 

 gardens, having been introduced from the Caucasus in 1801, and 

 as yet is seldom met with. Not only is it distinct in the form of 

 its flowers as may be seen by the illustration (Fig. 68) from 

 other species of its order, but it has bloom of exceptional beauty, 

 and the plant as a garden subject is further enhanced in value 

 from the fact of its delicious perfume and perpetual blooming 

 habit i.e., it flowers until stopped by frosts ; in short, it is one 

 of the very finest hardy flowers, and if I could only grow a small 

 collection of fifty, this should be one of such collection. 



The flowers are bright yellow, l^in. long, somewhat pear- 

 shaped, and tubular. The calyx is long and deeply divided; the 

 corolla is narrowed at the mouth; segments short, broad, and 

 rolled back, forming a sort of rim. The flowers are arranged 

 in branched heads, which are one-sided. The flower stalks are 

 short, and the flowers and buds closely grown. The stems are 

 about a foot long, having short alternate shoots, which flower 

 later on; they are weighed to the ground with the numerous 

 flowers and buds; the leaves are Sin. to 6in. long, narrow, 

 lance-shaped, reflexed, and covered with short stiff hairs, which 

 impart a grey appearance to the foliage. 



It should be grown fully exposed, as it loves sunshine; if 



