216 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



more than 12in. across. The golden farina varies in both 

 quantity and depth of colour on different plants. 



The flower scape is from 9in. to 12in. high, nearly as stout as a 

 clay pipe stem, and very mealy, thickening near the top. The 

 flowers, which are small, of a light purple colour, and having a 

 yellow eye, are densely arranged in globular trusses, each lasting 

 more than a fortnight in beauty. The leaves when resting on 

 the ground show their finely serrated edges and pleasing pale 

 green, which contrasts oddly with the under sides of those still 

 erect, the latter being not only of a golden colour, as already 

 mentioned, but their edges are turned, almost rolled under. 



This plant loves moisture, and it will adorn any position where 

 it can be well grown; it will also endure any amount of sunshine 

 if it has plenty of moisture at the roots, and almost any kind of 

 soil will do except clay, but peat and sand are best for it, 

 according to my experience. During winter the crown is liable 

 to rot, from the amount of moisture which lodges therein some- 

 what below the ground level ; latterly I have placed a piece of 

 glass over them, and I do not remember to have lost one so 

 treated. Offsets are but sparingly produced by this species; 

 propagation is more easily carried out by seed, from which 

 plants will sometimes flower the first year. 



Flowering period, March to May. 



Primula Denticulata. 



TOOTHED PRIMULA ; Nat. Ord. PRIMULACEJE. 

 THIS is one of that section of the Primrose family having stout 

 scapes and compact heads of bloom. It is a comparatively 

 recent introduction from the Himalayas, a true alpine, and per- 

 fectly hardy in this climate. As a garden flower, it has much 

 merit, blooming early and profusely. It cannot be too highly 

 commended for its fine form as a plant and beauty as a flower, 

 more especially as seen on rockwork. The flower buds begin in 

 very early spring to rise on their straight round stems, new 

 foliage being developed at the same time. 



The flowers are arranged in dense round clusters, and are often 

 in their finest form when nearly a foot high. They are of a 

 light purple colour, each flower |iu. across, corolla prettily 

 cupped, segments two-lobed, greenish white at bases, tube long 

 and cylindrical, calyx about half length of tube, teeth rather 

 long and of a dark brown colour. The scape is somewhat dark- 

 coloured, especially near the apex, The leaves are arranged in 

 rosette form, are lance-shaped, rolled back at the edges and 

 toothed, also wrinkled and downy ; they continue to grow long 

 after the flowers have faded. 



Delicate as the flowers seem, they stand the roughest storms 

 without much hurt. 



