OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 261 



joints, and nearly 2in. in diameter ; it may be clearly traced on 

 the surface, but the fibrous parts go very deep. 



It is said to be a bog subject ; fortunately, however, this fine 

 plant may be grown otherwise than in a bog, but it should not 

 want for depth of rich soil. This I believe to be a more 

 important condition than a boggy situation, inasmuch as I have 

 grown my specimen for three years on the top of a dry mound ; 

 but the soil is good rich loam, and fully 5ft. deep ; and to show 

 that this strong-growing subject needs a good depth of soil, I 

 may mention that I had occasion to dig up a piece, when it was 

 found, for the operation, to require both the strength and tools 

 that trees demand, the fibrous parts being deep and tough. 

 When fairly established it makes rapid growth, and when in full 

 leaf it proves very effective. Its propagation is easy with 

 healthy plants ; a length of the creeping root, with a crown to it, 

 should be cut from the parent stock just before growth 

 commences in early March. If planted as indicated in the 

 foregoing remarks, and kept shaded with a leafy branch for a 

 month or two, there need not be any fear about young plants 

 becoming established the first season. 



Flowering period, June. 



Saxifraga Purpurascens. 



LARGE-LEAVED PURPLE SAXIFRAGA, MEGASEA section-, Nat. 



Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^:. 



A RARE plant of great beauty. It is figured here without 

 flowers, as I consider it in finer form then than when in bloom. 

 Fine as its flowers are, much resembling those of S. cordifolia 

 and S. crassifolia (also of the Megasea section); the bright- 

 ness and colouring of its leaves in autumn are such as to render 

 it distinct from all the other species. I need only ask the 

 reader to note the fine foliage indicated in the cut (Fig. 91), and 

 inform him that in the autumn it turns to a glossy vermilion 

 colour, and I think he will admit that it will not come far short 

 in beauty of any flower. The species is a recent introduction 

 from the Himalayas, and in this climate proves all but ever- 

 green (if tinted foliage can be so called) and hardy. The latter 

 quality has been doubted by some, but by others re-asserted. 

 My present specimen was planted in the open garden in the 

 spring of 1880, since which time it has withstood 22deg. of frost. 

 The flowers are produced on stout stems, Sin. high, arranged 

 in branched heads, of a rose or rosy-purple colour, and bell- 

 shaped. They are, however, soon damaged by unfavourable 

 weather, and there is little about the plant at that period to 

 render it more attractive than its fellows ; its finer qualities are 

 developed as more genial weather prevails. When the stout 

 foliage grows glossy, waved, and of a deep clear green colour, 



