HARDY EXOTIC FLOWERING PLANTS. 131 



lu'i'lis, vai'viiig iVdiu a few inclics to 4 I'l. in lieight, and abiuulantly 

 scattered in nortliern ami li'ni])crat(' ciinntrii'S. Many kinds arc in 

 iiiltivafiiiii. All tlif nic(liuiu-pi/(Ml and large kinds thrive very well in 

 rough places, woods, copses, or shrubberies, among grasses and other 

 herbaceous plants ; while those smaller in size than our own harebell 

 (C. rotundifolia) are ipute at home, and very pretty, on any arid f)r 

 hare surfaces, such as sandy baidvs, chalk pits, and even high np on 

 old walls, ruins, etc. In such positions the seeds have only to be 

 scattered. ('. rainmculoides and C. lamiifolia do fin(dy in shrubberies 

 or copses, as, indeed, do all the tall-growing kinds. Where there are 

 white varieties they should be secured ; many people will begin to see 

 the great beauty of this lamily for the first time when they see them 

 "rowino- amons the "rass or herbs. The effect is far more beautiful 

 than can be obtained in the garden pro]X'r. 



Red. Valerian, CentnoifJtus rubrr. — This showy and pleasing 

 plant is only seen in highest perfection on elevated banks, rubbish- 

 heaps, or old walls, in which positions it endures much longer than on 

 the level ground, and becomes a long-lived perennial Avith a shrubby 

 base. On the long bridge across the Nore at Col. Tighe's place, Wood- 

 ■ stock, Kilkenny, it grows in abundance, forming a long line on the 

 wall ahovQ the arches ; of course it could be easily grown on ruins, 

 while it is invaluable for banks of all kinds, chalk pits, etc., and 

 also for the level ground, except in heavy cold soils. Some of the 

 larger Valerianas would grow freely in rough places, but none of them 

 are so distinct as the preceding. 



Knap-weed, Ccnfaurca. — Vigorous perennial or annual herbaceous 

 plants, seldom so pretty as autumn-sown plants of our corn bluebottle 

 (C. Cvanus). They are scarcely important enough for borders ; hence 

 the wild wood is the place for them. Among the most suitable kinds 

 may be mentioned macrocephala, montana, babylonica, and uniflora, 

 the last more suitable for l)aid<s, etc. 



Mouse-ear, Cemstium. — Dwarf spreading perennials, bearing a 

 profusion of white flowers. Half a dozen or more of the kinds have 

 silvery leaves, which, with their flowers, give them an attractive 

 character. Most of these are used as bedding plants, but, as they will 

 grow in any position where they are not choked by coarser plants, 

 they may be employed with good eft'ect in the wild garden. 



Wallflower, Cheirtcntlnis. — The varieties of the common wall- 

 flower attbrd c[uite a store of beauty in themselves for the embellish- 

 ment of rocky places, old walls, etc. Probably other species of 



