NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 45 



Spiraeas and Hydrangeas. Just as soon as Winlor is over, the Alyssum 

 makes preparations to grow, and within a month it presents a mass of 

 yellow flowers. It is in bloom from early Spring through June and 

 grows from 4 inches to 12 inches high. The Basket of Gold {Alyssum 

 saxatile compadum) is of a dwarf, shrubby nature with grayish-green 

 leaves and dense heads of briUiant golden yellow flowers, and is one 

 of the best yellow, low growing plants of early Spring. A. s. variegatum 

 has variegated fohage with yeUow blotches on the leaves. When this 

 plant has finished blooming, it becomes a showy, ornamental one. 

 The Madwort (A. rostratum) has golden-yellow flowers, grows about 

 12 inches high and blooms somewhat later than the others. There is 

 also a double form with yellow flowers. 



Uses. The Alyssums are indispensable plants for the rock gar- 

 den, especiaUy where plants are needed to droop over the rocks. They 

 are planted along sidewalks in hanging baskets, and as groups or edges 

 for the border. The annuals, being sweet scented, they are also used 

 for cutting purposes, and are good for Winter blooming. 



Culture. They are very easy to grow, requiring some limestone, 

 a weU-drained soil and a suimy situation. They spread rapidly and 

 bloom very freely. 



Propagation. Seeds should be sown in August and wintered 

 over in a fight, airy position until large enough to be planted out, if 

 good-sized plants are desired in the Spring. The double sorts cannot be 

 grown from seeds and must be propagated through cuttings. The roots 

 of the plant can also be divided. 



Anchusa — Aikanet, Italian Borage, Summer 

 Forget-me-not, Sea Bugloss 



One of the colors which all amateur gardeners wish is a good, 

 strong blue, one which does not fade easily but which holds its own. 

 Anchusas when planted in large masses, appear as a misty sea of deep 

 blue when in bloom. Although possessing nothing to recommend it as 

 a cut flower, it is a taU growing blue perennial that is deserving of a 

 place in every garden. The plants of Anchusa italica, Dropmore Va- 

 riety, which is the commonest one grown, attains a height of 3 feet 

 to 5 feet, and blooms during June and July. The leaves are very 

 large, heavy and hairy. The flowering branches are sent out in aU 

 directions from the plant and bear large, loose clusters of giant For- 

 get-me-nots of soft turquoise blue. Many have a white eye. The 

 Opal variety is light pinkish blue. The blooming season can be easily 



