96 A LITTLE BOOK OF PERENNIALS 



and hides itself away in the open places. The flowers are bluish 

 and have a delicate fringe at the margins of the petals. Unlike the 

 Closed Gentian, they are borne singly upon the apex of the stems. 



The Gentianella (G. acaulis) is the blue, stemless Gentian of the 

 Alps. The flowers are bell-shaped, large and blue. The plants grow but 

 6 inches tall and bloom in Spring. In Europe this plant is commonly 

 used as an edging plant. 



Culture. The Gentians are difficult to transplant and if seed 

 is sown, it should be fresh, otherwise it wiU not grow. The Closed 

 Gentiana may be grown in moist meadows but they should have no 

 lime in the soil. The Fringed Gentiana is a biennial which is extremely 

 difficult to grow. If fresh seed is obtained, sow in pots. The Gentian- 

 ella is the easiest sort to grow, requiring limestone added to the soil. 

 All sorts prefer partial shade. 



Geranium — Crane's-bill, Herb Robert 



The plants, usuaUy called Geraniums, are really Pelargoniums and 

 do not come within the scope of this book. The true Geraniums are 

 hardy perennials growing 12 inches to 18 inches tall. They range in 

 color from lilac to rosy-purple. The most commonly cultivated species, 

 Geranium sanguineum, has purple -crimson flowers producing a profu- 

 sion of flowers through the Summer. A white variety is frequently 

 listed. Two wild sorts are worthy of places in the wild garden or moist 

 rockery, namely: G. Robertianum, the Herb Robert, which has tiny 

 magenta flowers and deeply cleft leaves. The plants are encountered 

 frequently in very moist, rocky woods. They are easily distinguished 

 by their peculiar odor. This is a biennial sort but will self-sow itself 

 year after year. G. maculatum, the Spotted Crane's-bill, is far the 

 commoner wild sort. The flowers vary from hght to dark magenta. 

 Both of these species are very hairy. 



Uses. The smaUer plants are excellent for pot culture or to use 

 as edgings for borders. Many are grown in rockeries, in wliich situa- 

 tions Herb Robert and the spotted Crane's-bill are especially attrac- 

 tive. Sometimes the flowers are cut and used in small basket or vase 

 decorations. 



Culture. Geraniums do nicely in moist places. The wild sorts 

 will not stand the hot sun. Any good garden soil will do. They thrive 

 best transplanted in the Spring. 



Propagation. They are fpropagated by sowing the seed during 

 the latter part of Summer, and are usuaUy wintered in coldframes. 



