White Flowers 171 



sun. Divide the clumps every few years in the early autumn, for the 

 running rootstocks crowd each other and it does not flower so well. 

 Plant the crowns or root buds so that their points are just below the 

 surface, giving them room to spread. These root buds bear only leaves 

 the first year, small flowers the second and are in full perfection the third 

 year. Top-dress with manure in autumn. 



NARCISSUS, POET'S, PHEASANT'S EYE (N. poeticus). 18 in. A hardy 

 bulbous plant with narrow lily leaves and broad showy fragrant white 

 flowers slightly nodding. Does well in any good soil, and is increased 

 by offsets, and should remain undisturbed unless the roots become 

 crowded. The foliage should be allowed to wither naturally as in the 

 case of Hyacinths, Tulips, Lily of the Valley, for new bulbs do not form 

 well when the leaves are cut off as soon as the flower has faded. If this 

 is persisted in, it finally kills the plant. Divide clumps in July or August; 

 if done later it checks the new growth. Top-dress when the foliage is 

 removed. 



NARCISSUS. Double (N. poeticus, var. alba plena odorata). A double 

 variety of the above. 



NARCISSUS (N. poeticus ornatus). An improved variety of poeticus , 

 that is larger and blooms earlier. 



PHLOX. Creeping (Phlox sublata, var. alba). 6 in. A low creeping 

 border plant making a dense mat of prostrate branches, which bear 

 quantities of flowers an inch across. By shaking loose soil amongst the 

 plants in summer, the trailing branches will take root and can be di- 

 vided and reset in autumn. Give a sunny sheltered situation as it 

 sometimes winter-kills in severe open winters in the North, and it should 

 have a light mulch. For pink variety see Pink Per. May. 



POPPY. Iceland, see Iceland Poppy. 



ROCK CRESS (Arabis albida). 6-9 in. One of the earliest border 

 perennials which continues to flower from early May until autumn; 

 bears fragrant white flowers in terminal racemes; gray woolly leaves 

 sparingly toothed; thrives in dry shady location or in full sun; is prop- 

 agated by division of the root, seed or cuttings. 



ROCK CRESS. Alpine (Arabis alpina). 6 in. A smaller and later 

 variety making a close busy growth, plant downy, leaves sharply 

 toothed. 



SAXIFRAGE. Early (Saxifraga Virginiensis). 9 in. A low-growing 

 native plant making a flat tuft of leaves from which spring close heads 

 of white flowers borne on naked stems. It should be more often culti- 



