PERENNIALS. 49 



to October. S. coespitbsa is a neat growing species, of a rose 

 colour. They will grow in any soil. 



Silene. Several of this genus are popular annuals, but the 

 herbaceous species are very indifferent. S. viscosa and S. 

 viscom fibre-plena are frequently cultivated for their beauty; 

 they will grow well if not too much shaded. 



Saxifruga, above one hundred species. Many of them 

 are beautiful plants for rock-work. They are regardless of 

 cold, but will not generally withstand much moisture. A 

 few of them are highly deserving a situation in any garden. 

 S. liirsutum and S. crassifblia are used in some countries 

 for tanning. S. granuldta multiplex has fine, double, white 

 flowers, and is desirable. S. umbrbso^ London-pride, makes 

 a beautiful edging for a flower border; the flowers are small, 

 but, on close examination, its colours are unrivalled. It is 

 sometimes called "none so pretty." S. sarmentbsa is kept 

 in the green-house, but is perfectly hardy, and makes a fine 

 plant in a shaded situation, and will grow where grass and 

 other plants generally die. We have no doubt that it would 

 make a good fancy edging. S. pulchella and S. pyramiddlis 

 require protection ; these are easily cultivated, and flower in 

 gpikes from May to July. 



Spiraeas. A few species are showy plants, and continue 

 flowering from May to September. S. ulmaria multiplex, 

 Meadow-sweet, has sweet-scented, white flowers, in long dense 

 spikes. S. filipendula multiplex^ Drop-wort, double white. 

 S. lobdta is a native, and has fine rose-coloured flowers, and 

 blooms in June and July; S. japtfnica, beautiful dwarf white ; 

 these are the finest of the herbaceous species, and will grow 

 in any common garden soil. 



Statice, Thrift. A genus containing many tine herba- 

 ceous plants ; only a few of them are common in collections. 

 The finest of them are scarce, and said to be " bad to cul- 

 tivate." S. vulgaris, once Armiria vulgaris, is a vn.i*nm 

 plant for an edging, and does well in our climate, flowpi'w* 

 in great profusion from May to July. When done flower- 

 ing, the stems should be cut off. The foliage is an agreea- 

 ble evergreen ; the plant increases rapidly, and in a few 

 years may be planted to a great extent. S. specibsc* has red 

 flowers, crowded in spreading panicles. S. t^r/Arira. has 

 also very showy flowers, and is now given to the geuus ^'oo>- 

 tiritkwna. S. ZcttifMia and # manfimtt are the fine**, T. 



