DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF THE BEST KINDS 237 



Mazus. Delightful small rock-garden plants, members 

 of the Snapdragon family (Scrophularineae), which have 

 recently come into greater prominence. They are not 

 reliably hardy, though likely to survive the winter in a 

 sheltered position. A sandy or gritty soil is necessary, 

 with plenty of water dujing summer, and protection 

 from wet in winter. Mazus pumilio, only an inch or two 

 high, is native of New Zealand, and was introduced 

 nearly a century ago. It has creeping stems clothed 

 with small wrinkled leaves, and in May bears pale violet 

 flowers. Mazus rugosus, with lilac-blue blossom, is of 

 recent introduction. The best method of increase is 

 by division in late summer. 



Meconopsis. Nearly all the members of this handsome 

 family of shade-loving plants are found in the Himalaya, 

 and on the spurs of that range which run into China. 

 They belong to the Poppy family (Pap aver aceae). Until 

 about eight years ago the best-known kind was the 

 beautiful Satin Poppy from the Himalaya (M. Wallichii), 

 but with the exploration of China some new and remark- 

 able species have been brought into cultivation. A well- 

 known member of the family is the Welsh Poppy (M. 

 cambrica), which is such a useful and ornamental plant 

 for shady banks. Including the annual (M. heterophylla) 

 from California, all are well worth growing in shady 

 corners in the rock garden, where, with the exception of 

 the last named, they delight in moist, loamy soil. They 

 are nearly all biennials, but fresh seed comes up freely 

 if sown in a pot of sandy soil and put into a cold frame. 



