OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 259 



The flowers are of the usual form, and are produced on stems 

 4in. to Gin. high ; they are white. The leaves seldom exceed in. 

 in length and iin. in width ; they are spathulate in form, stout, 

 and rigid. The rosettes are somewhat flattened and numerous, 

 *ind give the idea of greenish-white flowers. 



8. p. hybrida is a variety of the foregoing species, and without 

 pretending to say what the type has been crossed with to 

 produce this handsome form, I may, for the purpose of con- 

 veying an idea of what it is like, say that it approaches 8. aizoon, 

 which also flowers in May and June. In all its parts it is larger 

 than the type; the leaves are greener and more strap- shaped, 

 and are more erect, but not so rigid ; the habit, too, differs it 

 forms more rounded tufts. In all these respects it will be seen 

 to resemble 8. aizoon. It is a lovely form ; the sparkling teeth 

 are relieved by the fine dark green ground of the foliage. 



These comb-leaved Saxifrages belong to the more neat and 

 effective rock plants ; the type, at least, is of alpine origin, and 

 under cultivation it seems most happy amongst the stones. I 

 have grown these kinds as pot specimens, on nearly flat beds, 

 and as edging plants ; and in every position they prove attrac- 

 tive. It is very strange that such pretty forms are not more 

 generally seen in gardens ; they will grow well on walls and the 

 tops of outhouses, and are good subjects for town gardens. Any 

 kind of sandy soil will do for them ; that of a vegetable character 

 is, however, the best ; they may be planted with choicer things, 

 for, unlike many of the genus, they are not rampant growers. 

 Practically, they need no propagating; for as the specimens 

 spread they make new roots, and at any time one or half a dozen 

 rosettes may be slipped off for planting elsewhere. It is better, 

 though, to avoid this with small plants, as their full beauty is 

 not realised until they become of considerable size. 



Flowering period, May and June. 



Saxifraga Peltata. 



Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^J. 



A NEW species to English gardens, hardy, herbaceous, and 

 perennial, imported from North America; it is a truly noble 

 plant. The illustration (Fig. 90) will convey some idea of its 

 fine form, but the reader must rely on the description for its 

 size when fully developed. When the flowers of this Saxifrage 

 are in their best form, the noble foliage is scarcely half developed ; 

 a drawing, therefore (though it could hardly be made at a stage 

 when the plant is more interesting), must necessarily fail, in 

 this case, to give any more than an approximate idea of the 

 parts undeveloped. Not only is this the largest species of the 

 extensive genus at present grown in this country, but its form is 

 both distinct and noble. 



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