THE GARDEN 1 1 



the fruit, queer leathery little nuts, wrinkled and wizened. At last the 

 foliage dies off, leaving a healthy root, full of waiting life for next spring. 



The start in your stock may be either from the roots got at the florist, 

 or by transplanting from the wild state, or by seedlings. Plenty of moist 

 loam, with a little sand, good draining, an abundance of sun, if possible, 

 and nature will do the rest. Keep dividing your stock, to increase your 

 roots; give an occasional watering with liquid manure, and cultivate once 

 and a while. Do not forget to protect from frost. 



No garden should be without this thoroughly reliable stand-by, be- 

 cause of its easy cultivation, its hardiness, its great profusion of bloom, its 

 wealth of color, and its general usefulness. 



As a border plant, it certainly rivals the forget-me-not. On the rock- 

 ery it shows off well. In shady corners it lights up the shadows. As a 

 verandah plant, large clumps in full flower make a grateful ornament, 

 causing much admiration. 



BLEEDING HEART 



(DIELYTKA SPECTABILIS) 



The first living specimen of this plant seen in Europe was sent to the 

 London Horticultural Society in 1846 by one Robert Fortune, who brought 

 it, along with some other varieties, from China, where he had gone in 1842 

 as a representative of the society for purposes of research. The roots were 

 placed in the grounds of the society at once, and the following year, to the 

 great delight of everybody, the plant sent up fine, healthy stalks covered 

 with delicate green, beautifully decorative leaves, and long drooping sprays 

 of pendant rose-colored hearts, the whole proving an entirely unique and 

 interesting type of plant. 



Since that time hundreds of specimens have been grown and been scat- 

 tered over the whole country to such an extent that the idea has, in some 

 way, grown in people's minds that this is a very old-fashioned flower. It is, 

 of course, but not with us. The first everyday name that was given it — 

 "dielytra" — and the name by which many people of twenty and thirty years 

 ago knew it, has fallen out of use, the florists now-a-days calling it 

 "dicentra." 



"Dicentra spectabilis" has proved to be a valuable acquisition to our 

 garden flora, both on account of its rare beauty and also on account of its 

 altogether unusual type. The plant is hardy, and what is quite as import- 

 ant, an early bloomer. While some think that as a cut flower, the long, 

 graceful sprays have little or no value — though why I am sure I cannot 

 conceive — yet they grant its value as a specimen plant. Unfortunately a 

 bed of these plants, while providing a delicate and grateful beauty during 

 the blooming time, do not allow of any other plants being placed in the 

 same bed. This means a bed devoid of bloom for many long months. True, 

 the leaves are highly decorative and retain a cool and pleasant green 

 throughout the season, but this in itself is hardly sufficient. Therefore it 

 is not wise to allow too much space to be taken up by your stock. A few 

 — say three or four — filling an odd corner or two should be sufficient. A 

 large clump growing in a dark fence-corner, or planted in front of a group 

 of evergreens; or, again, placed in the fern bed; these should constitute 

 one's supply, and will be found all that is needed. The last location men- 

 tioned is ideal. Try it and see. 



After bloom has ceased, take up the root for division, that is, if you 

 wish to increase your stock, and separate the roots into small pieces. Every 

 single little piece will grow if cared for, but will riot flower next year. So 

 be sure to leave at least one clump undivided for flowers next season. 



