72 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



plantJDg at the back of borders. All are good to use for cut flowers, 

 but C. simplex is especially so, because its flowers last longer when cut. 



Culture. Snakeroots like moist conditions which are partly 

 shaded, but they will endure the sun. They thrive best in rich, leaf- 

 mold soils. 



Propagation. They are propagated by division of the plant or 

 by seeds sown as soon as ripe. 



Clematis — Shrubby Virgin's Bower 



We shall speak here not of the climbing Clematis, but of the lower 

 growing sorts useful for massing, all of which form dense bushes 

 2 feet or 3 feet tall. 



Clematis Davidiana blooms nearly all Summer, has Hyacinth-like, 

 bell-shaped, pale blue or lavender blue flowers in smaU clusters, which 

 are very fragrant. C. heracleaefolia is very simflar but with paler 

 flowers. C. recta has creamy-white, fragrant flowers, opening in June 

 and July. All of the flower clusters are showy and are followed by 

 flufl'y sflken seed heads. The leaves stay a bright dark green all 

 Summer. 



Uses. Many of the species are desirable for cutting. In the 

 garden they should be planted in masses or used as specimen plants. 

 C. recta is especially valued for large masses of white flowers. 



Culture. These plants are adapted to partial shade. They pre- 

 fer a loam soil and seem to hke hme. 



Propagation. They are propagated by division of the plants 

 or by cuttings. 



Convallaria — Lily of the Valley, May Bells 



The poet has given the name to the Lily of the Vafley, and the 

 botanist, not as prosaic as usual, has translated the name to the Latin 

 word Convallaria. 



*'No flower amid the garden fairer grows 



Than the sweet Lily of the lowly vale." 



Uses. We must have this favorite with us the year round. In 



the Winter the florist grows Lily of the Valley in the greenhouse for 



weddings and for bouquets of various sorts. When they bloom in 



our gardens we cherish them as highly as any other flower for the 



