HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS. 173 



antha is Jater in flowering, but a hybrid between it and A. flabellata, 

 with the last named as the seed parent, bloomed this season a week ahead 

 of A. canadensis. The color of this hybrid is a little puzzling; there are 

 several dozen plantsandnot a single specimen is different from the others. 

 The petals are yellow, the spurs of which are the same color as the 

 sepals deep purplish blue. All of the plants are quite dwarf, resem- 

 bling A. flabellata in this respect. The Aquilegias have a habit of dying 

 out after the second and third year. Any species which it is desired to 

 increase in the absence of seeds should be lifted, divided and replanted 

 early in the Fall, so that the pieces may have a chance to become estab- 

 lished before Winter. 



ARABIS (Rock Cress) Many of the species of Rock Cress are of no 

 horticultural value and are seldom seen outside of botanical collections. 

 Three of them, however, are among the most desirable of Spring flower- 

 ing plants, and may be found in nearly every garden of any size. They 

 are A. albida, A. lucida and A. alpina. A. albida is the best known; it 

 forms a dense carpet, the stems being long and wiry, with dense rosettes 

 of leaves at the ends. The flowers, which are pure white, are borne in 

 great profusion, almost hiding the foliage. A. alpina is not such a free 

 grower, but is equally suitable for rockwork, especially the variegated 

 form. A. lucida is dwarfer than the other two; this has also a varie- 

 gated form which, like the variety of A. alpina, should not be allowed 

 to flower. The variegated varieties should be propagated by division, 

 or by cuttings put in early in the season. The green-leaved kinds are 

 best raised from seeds, treated in the same manner as recommended for 

 Aubrietia. 



ARALIA (Fatsia) PAPYRIFERA is the rice paper plant of the Chinese. 

 It is one of the noblest plants in cultivation for sub-tropical effects. The 

 leaves are palmately divided, supported by strong stalks from a stout 

 central stem. The whole plant has a grayish cast to it. In the North- 

 ern States it stands the Winter if the crowns are protected with some 

 rough material. In a single season strong crowns will grow 8 or 10 feet 

 high. It is propagated by cutting up the rhizome-like roots into pieces 

 about 3 inches long and covering them with moss or sand. Keep the 

 boxes containing the roots in a cool frame all Winter, introducing them 

 into a little heat early in the Spring so as to have the plants large 

 enough to plant out by the middle of May. The flower is not the least 

 attractive part of the plant. In the Southern States the plant is in 

 bloom during the months of September and October; butinthis latitude 

 it is usually unfolding when its career is cut short by cold weather. The 

 color is greenish white, the flowers being .arranged in drooping panicles 

 2 to 3 feet in length. (See also page 198J 



ARGEMONE (Devil's Fig) Most of the species grown in gardens are 

 of annual duration. They will germinate outdoors late in Spring and 

 develop very rapidly into flowering plants. A. grandiflora is a peren- 

 nial with white flowers 3 to 5 inches in diameter, but not so free in 

 blooming as the annual species. It must be given a position in full sun- 

 shine. Seedlings should be pricked off into small pots as soon as the 

 seed leaves are developed, as the roots will not endure much disturbance. 



