March.l perennials. 39 



delight in brown loam, a half shady situation, inclining to 

 moisture. The foliage soon decays after flowering. 



DracocSphalum, Dragon's Head, about ^twenty species, 

 mostly ornamental. D. virginicum is a profuse blooming 

 plant, with bluish-pink flowers, and grows about four feet 

 high. D. argunense is a superb dwarf, with large dark blue 

 flowers. 



Eupatdriums. These generally are native plants, not 

 worthy of notice here, except for two species. E. codesti- 

 num has syngenesious flowers in flattened panicles, color 

 fine light blue, blooming from September to November, 

 desirable for its beauty at that season. E. aromdticum may 

 be cultivated for its spicy odor ; flowers white, in loose 

 terminal panicles ', blooming from August to October. Either 

 of them will grow in common soil. 



FunJcia, Japan Day Lily, three species, all beautiful. F. 

 conTiiUa^ with blue flowers. F. japonica, pure white, and 

 F. variegataj with striped leaves and flowers. F. laurifo- 

 lia, early blue. This genus has been separated from Heme- 

 rocdllis. 



Gentidnas, a genus of very showy plants, and flower in 

 great abundance. The flowers are tubular and inflated; 

 color generally blue. A few species are yellow^ and 

 some white ; flowers in whorls, terminal or solitary. They 

 grow best in a light rich soil. G. Mtea, G. purpiirea, G. 

 sepfemjida. G. acaiiUs is a pretty dwarf growing species, 

 the flower dark and light blue ; interior of the corolla spot- 

 ted ; has a succession of flowers from April to June. These 

 are fine exotics, but may give place to our native species, 

 such as G. Cateahsei ; G. ocliroleCtca ; G. mcarndta ; with 

 several others, and G. crindta, which is a biennial, and finely 

 fringed; color light blue. 



Geum. There are only four species that are worth culti- 

 vation, namely, G. quell^on, once G. coccincum ; G. spleii- 

 dens, G. Wicea, and G. hj/hridum. G. urldnum is some- 

 times cultivated for its roots, which, when chewed, sweeten 

 the breath. They are all of easy culture. G. qaelhjon and 

 spJendens flower from May to October, and are very desirable 

 plants for the borders, and much esteemed in Europe. 



IlemerocdUis, Day Lily ; three species, JET. fulva, 11. gra- 

 7ninea, and H. Siehuldii, flower well, and are remarkable 

 among the border flowers for their large yellow or copper- 



