198 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



and rich and harmonious shadmgs inside ; such flowers, loosely 

 arranged on stems about 2ft. high, more or less branched, and 

 furnished with lance-shaped foliage of a bright glossy green, go 



to make this border plant one that is 

 justly esteemed, and which certainly 

 deserves the little extra care needful 

 during winter. 



It is grandly effective in rows, bu.t 

 if in a fully exposed position it flags 

 during hot sunshine ; it is, therefore, 

 a suitable plant to put among shrubs, 

 the cool shelter of which it seems to 

 enjoy. The remarks I have already 

 made respecting its hardiness suffi- 

 ciently indicate the mode of propaga- 

 tion. Old plants should not be de- 

 pended upon, for though they are 

 thoroughly perennial, they are not 

 so hardy as the younger and less 

 woody stuff besides, young plants 

 are far more vigorous bloomers. 

 Flowering period, June to August. 



Petasites Vulgaris. 

 Syns. TUSSILAGO PETASITES and T, 



FRAGRANS; "WlN'x. HELIO- 



TROPE and COM.' BUTTER- 

 BUR; Nat. Ord. C^MPOSIT^E. 



I MUST explain why this nati^: weed, 

 of rampant growth and perennial 

 character, is here mentioned as a fit 

 subject for the garden. It blooms in 

 the depth of winter in fact, all 

 winter ; the flowers are not showy at 

 all, but they are deliciously scented, 

 whence the specific name fragrans 

 and the common one " Winter Helio- 

 trope," as resembling the scent of 

 heliotrope. In its wild state it does 

 not flower so early as when under cul- 

 tivation ; the latter state is also more favourable to its holding 

 some green foliage throughout the winter. It has been said that 

 there are different forms male and female, or minor and major. 

 Parkinson recognises two forms, and as his remarks are 

 interesting and clearly point to the variety under notice, I will 

 quote him from " The Theater of Plants," page 419 : " The Butter 



FIG. 73. PENTSTEMON. 

 (One-fourth natural size). 



