46 POPULAR GARDEN FLOWERS 



occasionally sees it succeeding in southern England, 

 but only when the roots are in a cool, shady place. 

 It likes association with some other plant, which gives 

 it protection and partial shade. Tuberosum, which has 

 red and yellow flowers, will pass the winter safely in 

 sandy soil and a sheltered place, but it is not really 

 hardy, and, as a rule, the tubers are taken up and stored 

 for the winter. The Lobbianum section, such as Ball 

 of Fire, are charming trailers, and although often grown 

 under glass, are quite suitable for window-boxes and 

 balconies in summer. 



Erasmus Darwin wrote of the Tropceolum in "The 

 Loves of the Plants": 



" Ere the bright star which tends the morning sky 

 Hangs o'er the flushing east his diamond eye, 

 The chaste Tropeo leaves her secret bed ; 

 A saintlike glory trembles round her head ; 

 Eight watchful swains along the lawns of night 

 With amorous steps pursue the virgin light." 



The " watchful swains " are doubtless the stamens 

 of the flower. 



The poets, therefore, have not neglected this old 

 garden flower. 



