44 PERENNIALS. [^March. 



few leaves or litter during the severity of v>^inter ; they de- 

 light in light soil. 



Sajjoiulria officinalis, and S. o. j)lena, are fine free flow- 

 ering, dwarf plants ', the color is pink in both double and 

 single varieties. The roots run under ground, and care 

 should be taken to keep them within bounds ; they flower 

 from June to October. S. coespitbsa is a neat growing spe- 

 cies, of a rose color. They will grow in any soil. 



Silene. Several of this genus are popular annuals, but 

 the herbaceous species are very indifferent. S. viscdsa and 

 S. viscdsa fibre plena are frequently cultivated for their 

 beauty ; they will grow well if not too much shaded. 



Saxifraga, above one hundred species. Many of them 

 are beautiful plants for rock-work. They are regardless of 

 cold, but will not generally withstand much moisture. A 

 few of them are highly deserving a situation in any garden. 

 S. Mrsutum and S. crassifblia are used in some countries 

 for tanning. ^S'. granulata multiplex has fine, double, white 

 flowers, and is desirable. S. nmbrbsa, London-pride, makes 

 a beautiful edging for a flower border ; the flowers are small, 

 but, on close examination, its colors are unrivaled. It is 

 sometimes called ^'none so pretty.'' JS. sarmentbsa is kept 

 in the green-house, but is perfectly hardy, and makes a fine 

 plant in a shaded situation, and will grow where grass and 

 other plants generally die. "We have no doubt that it would 

 make a good fancy edging. S. pulcMUa and S. pyrami- 

 ddlis require protection; these are easily cultivated, and 

 flower in spikes from May to July. 



Sp)irseas. A few species are showy plants, and continue 

 flowering from May to September. S. ulmdria multip)lex, 

 Meadow-sweet, has sweet-scented, white flowers, in long 

 dense spikes. S. filipindida multiplex, Drop-wort, double 

 white. 8. lohdta is a native, and has fine rose-colored 

 flowers, and blooms in June and July ; S. japdnica, beauti- 

 ful dwarf white ', these are the finest of the herbaceous spe- 

 cies, and will grow in any common garden soil. 



Stdtice, Thrift. A genus containing many fine herba- 

 ceous plants ) only a few of them are common in collections. 

 The finest of them are scarce, and said to be " bad to culti- 

 vate.'' S. vulgclris, once Armeria vulgaris, is a valuable 

 plant for an edging, and does well in our climate, flowering 

 in great profusion from May to July. When done flower- 



