286 HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



situation should be carefully selected ; the former cannot be too 

 sandy if enriched with manure, whilst cold, stiff soil is quite 

 unsuited to it. The position should not only have the sunniest 

 possible aspect, but be at the base of a wall that will ward off the 

 more cutting winds. In such snug quarters many things may 

 be had in bloom earlier, and others kept in flower through the 

 winter, as violets ; whilst fuchsias, crinums, African and Bella- 

 donna lilies, and similar roots, that would perish in more exposed 

 parts, will live from year to year in such situations. Unless 

 the subject now under consideration can bave these conditions, 

 it is useless to plant it not that its hardiness is doubtful, but 

 because its blooming period should be hastened. Its propagation 

 may, be by division of the roots after it has flowered, or in 

 spring. 



Flowering period, October to December. 



Symphytum Caucascium. 

 CAUCASIAN COMFREY; Nat. Ord. BORAGINACEJE. 

 A COMPARATIVELY modern species in English gardens, belong- 

 ing to a genus well represented by native species, from which 

 this differs mainly in being less tall and hairy, and otherwise less 

 coarse. The erect habit, and abundant azure flowers produced in 

 pendent form, which, moreover, last for several weeks, go to 

 make this a capital border plant. If not an old species, from 

 its resemblance to some which are so, it is rendered a suitable 

 companion to " old-fashioned " subjects. The plant grows to a 

 height of nearly 2ft., is of dark greyish-green colour, from being 

 thickly covered with short, stiff hairs, on every part, including the 

 calyx. 



The flowers are more than ^in. long, produced in elongated 

 clusters, opening three or four at a time, and just before expan- 

 sion they are of a bright rose colour, but afterwards turn a fine 

 blue; calyx five-parted, as also is the corolla, the segments being 

 drawn in at the mouth. The entire flower is long and bell- 

 shaped; the pendent clusters of bloom are well held out from the 

 main stem by leafy branches, each being terminated by two 

 racemes. The leaves of the root are large and stalked, oval, 

 lance-shaped, and wrinkled; those of the stems are stalkless, and 

 so attached as to give the stems a winged appearance near their 

 junction. 



The plant will thrive in any kind of soil, but it likes shade and 

 moisture, and a specimen grown under such conditions will be 

 found to be much superior in every way. A position under fruit 

 trees suits it admirably, and for such thoughtful planting it will 

 well repay the lover of flowers for vase decoration. It also 

 makes a good subject for large or rough rockwork, on which, 

 however, it should be sheltered from the midday sun. Its propa- 



