234 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



the same garden, but it can be allowed to spread into one bold 

 patch. The best time to divide or transplant is in early spring, 

 when growth is just pushing, for vigorous as this and many 

 other perennials are, I have often found them to rot, when the 

 dormant roots, after being cut into pieces, have had to face the 

 winter. 

 Flowering period, July to September. 



Rudbeckia Serotina. 



Late CONE-FLOWER; Nat. Ord. COMPOSITE. 

 THIS hardy American species, though not an old plant in 

 English gardens, is nevertheless classed with "old-fashioned" 

 plants and flowers ; and certainly its sombre but pleasing dark 

 golden ray flowers, together with its likeness to many of the 

 old sunflowers, favours such classification. It is the latest of 

 a late -flowering genus. 



It attains the height of 2ft. ; the root leaves are of irregular 

 shape, some oval and pointed, others, on the same plant, being 

 lance-shaped, with two or three large teeth or acute lobes; 

 in size the leaves also vary from Sin. to Sin. long, and being 

 covered with short bristly hairs, they are very rough, also of 

 a dull green colour ; the flower stems have but few leaves, so it 

 will be judged that the plant has but a weedy appearance, but 

 this is compensated for by the rich and numerous large dark 

 orange flowers, "Sin. across ; the ray is single, and the centre, 

 which is large and prominent, is a rich chocolate brown. 



This subject, to be effective, should be grown in large speci- 

 mens; mine is about 3ft. in diameter, and the level mass of 

 flowers, as I have often noticed them in twilight, were grandly 

 beautiful. I can well understand that many have not cared for 

 this cone flower when they have judged it from a small plant 

 which has sent up its first, and perhaps abnormal, bloom. It is 

 especially a subject that should be seen in bold clumps, and 

 in moderately rich soil it will soon become such. Moreover, the 

 flowers are very effective in a cut state, when loosely arranged 

 in vases, only needing something in the way of tall grasses to 

 blend with in order to form an antique " posy." 



Autumn is the best time to plant it ; its long roots denote that 

 it enjoys deep soil, and, when planted, the roots of this, as well 

 as all others then being transplanted, should be made firm, 

 otherwise the frost will lift them out and the droughts will finish 

 them off. Many plants are lost in this manner, and, indeed, 

 many short-rooted kinds are scarcely saved by the greatest care. 

 The stem-rooting character of this plant affords ready means of 

 propagation by root divisions. 



Flowering period, from September till strong frosts. 



