MARCH.] FLOWER GARDEN PERENNIALS. 143 



They have syngenesious purple flowers in long close 

 spikes, differing from other spiked flowering genera by 

 blooming first at the extremity. They grow best in 

 strong heavy soil. 



Lychnis. Three species are very desirable in the 

 flower borders. L. chalcedonica has bright scarlet 

 crowned flowers ; the double scarlet variety is splendid. 

 There is also a double white variety, L. fulgens and L. 

 flos-jbvis. They ought to be frequently lifted, and 

 planted afresh, or they will dwindle to nothing. The 

 best time is when they begin to grow. There is a 

 plant known in our collections as Lychnis flos-cucula, 

 which is now Jlgrostema flos-cmiila ; it is a fine and 

 showy border plant with double red flowers. They de- 

 light in a light sandy rich soil. 



Lythrums. A few species flower well, and have 

 small pink blossoms in great profusion, L. alatum, L. 

 virgdtum, L. diffusum, and L. lanceoldtum. They will 

 grow in any common garden soil if not too much 

 shaded ; and flower from June to September. 



Mimulus, Monkey-flower. A few species may be 

 cultivated. They will grow in any soil or situation. 

 M. luteus and M. rivularis are the best. M. moschdtits 

 has a very strong musk scent, to many agreeable. We 

 think it will prove hardy. The two former have large 

 gaping flowers, of a gold yellow, and beautifully spot- 

 ted with purple in the interior. 



Mondrdas, a fine native genus and showy. The foli- 

 age of several of the species is aromatic, and resem- 

 bles mint. M. didyma has long scarlet ringent flowers, 

 in headed whorls; M. kalmiana, flowers very long, 



