HAKDY EXOTIC FLOWERTNd PLANTS. 



121 



vesetation. Tliou-li quite liunly in all snils, tlicy tlower iiinst freely 

 in free loamy sdils. Not vnryiiij;- very iiiiich in diai'acter, all nhtaiii- 

 ul)le hardy species would j^'roup well toj^ctluT. The most vigorcjus 

 kind at present in cultivation is one called A. latif<jlius, almost ever- 

 green, and a fine plant when well established. Few plants are more 

 fitted fur adorning wild and semi -wild places, as they grow and 

 increase without care, and are for foliage or bloom unsurpassed by any 

 of the numerous plants that have been so long neglected through tlieir 

 not being available in 

 any popular system of 

 " Hower gardening." 



Monkshood, Aco- 

 nitum. — These are 

 tall, handsome peren- 

 nials, with very poison- 

 ous roots, which make 

 it danger'ous to plant 

 them in or near 

 gardens. Being usually 

 very vigorous in con- 

 stitution, they spread 

 freely, and hold their 

 own amongst the 

 strongest herbaceous 

 plants and weeds ; 

 masses of them seen 

 in flower in copses or 

 near hedgerows atfi ird a 

 very fine effect. There 

 are many species, 

 nearly of equal value 

 for the wild garden. 

 Coming from the plains 

 and mountains of Siberia and Northern Europe and America, they are 

 among the hardiest of plants. When spreading groups of Aconites are in 

 bloom in copses or open spaces in shrubberies, their effect is far finer 

 than when the plants are tied into linndles in trim borders. The old 

 blue-and-white kind is charming in half-shady spots, attaining stately 

 dimensions in good soih The species grow in any soil, but are often 

 .somewhat stunted in growth on clay. 



'J"he Mon]<shood, iiauiralised by wet ditch in wood. 



