THE GARDEN 17 



"Candia," or "Candy," which was the ancient name of the Island of Crete, 

 the flowers received their name, "candytuft." 



So that the little flower is quite 300 years old, with us, at any rate. 



The common white, or evergreen variety, is, without exception, one of 

 the best bordering plants that can be found, ranking closely with sweet 

 alyssum, myosotis, and phlox sublata. Where durability, cheapness, and 

 ease in keeping within bounds are points to be considered, this little plant 

 fills every requirement mentioned. Blooming, as it does, almost from the 

 first few days, it so provides an abundance of flowers when flowers are at 

 a premium. Like the myosotis, the long, straggling seed stalks may be 

 sheared off close to the ground, and in a very short time the new shoots 

 will make a compact evergreen border, spattered here and there with an 

 occasional bloom. 



For the rockery, it is unequaled as a ground cover, spreading with 

 great rapidity, clinging to the rough surfaces of the rocks, finding its way 

 and rooting itself in small crannies and crevices between the stones. 



The common annual candytuft, with colored flowers, is the purple 

 variety; but, while the name would imply that one color alone is to be 

 looked for, yet what really does occur is a truly wonderful array of nearly 

 every tint except deep yellow. 



The base color is purple. But this purple comes out in so many tints 

 and shades that we practically have everything, from deepest maroon, rang- 

 ing thru magentas, pinks, blues, flesh tints, all of the most delicate varia- 

 tions, until the eye cannot but be satisfied, as well as delighted, with the 

 feast of colors. 



A delightful combination edging is formed by planting alternate 

 clumps of phlox sublata, common white candytuft, and myosotis, which 

 will promise you an edging of infinite variety in color, form, and perfume. 



THE COLUMBINE 



Columbine is supposed to be the first perennial of the old herbaceous 

 class that comes into flower. But there seems to be so many "firsts" that 

 one hardly knows where to start counting. 



Have you ever noticed the first curled-up leaves of the columbine? Like 

 wee doubled-up fists, ready to do battle with all and sundry who try to 

 hinder its being first to bloom. At least, that is what one might very well 

 liken them to. Later on, when the leaves have opened out, and a few more 

 have been born, the young plant is a perfect marvel of beauty, the young 

 leaves forming lovely pinked-out rosettes of changing metallic tints q 

 greenery-brownery-prunery red. 



The flower of the columbine is composed of five petals, formed in th^ 

 shape of a funnel which is prolonged into a long, narrow, closed spear, with 

 a rounded nob at the end; these are joined by the sepals, which are spread 

 out in the likeness of wings. When the queer flowers hang swaying in the 

 spring breeze, one may easily trace the resemblance to doves, closly perch- 

 ed, beaks together, wings half-fluttering, and all cooing togemer. These 

 flowers are true "horns of plenty" to the busy humming bees tha* *'aunt 

 the clumps of dainty, graceful blossoms. 



The plants look well on the rockery, or in clumps, especially if the 

 roots are allowed to multiply until the clumps are quite large. Plant the 

 seeds early in March in hotbed or flat, transplanting to the' permanent 

 position not later than the second week in May. These seedlings will not 

 bloom until late the first season, but the following will be am***'? the first 

 to bloom. 



Give plenty of manure mulching in the spring, providiiig sufficient 

 water through the warm weather, and cover well in fa)' 'n protect from 

 frost. The clumps will last for many years if divided occiu-.onally. 



