NOTEWORTHY PERENNIALS 151 



S. patens is the deepest indigo-blue, a most unusual color but the 

 flowers are not produced in great profusion. It must be treated as an 

 annual. 



Uses. Most sorts of Salvias are interesting border plants where 

 they make an attractive appearance grown in masses. They are 

 generally good cut flowers as well. 



Culture. Salvias, although of easy culture, require some at- 

 tention. Except for S. azurea grandiflora they are not perfectly hardy 

 and will need some protection during the Winter. Plant Salvias in 

 the sun and give them from 18 inches to 2 feet on all sides. The roots 

 of S. patens may be dug and wintered in a cool ceUar. 



Propagation. Some sorts may be divided in the early Spring. 

 S. farinacea, S. patens, and S. uliginosa are raised from seed sown in 

 the early Spring, in which case, they bloom the first year from seed. 



Scabiosa — Pincushion Flower 



To those persons who are familiar with the annual sorts of Scabiosa, 

 we need only say that the perennials resemble the annuals, except that 

 the perennials have shorter florets at the center, while in the annual 

 sorts the flowers are made up of florets of more uniform length. Scabiosa 

 caucasica is the commonest perennial with flowers either light hlac blue 

 or white. The plants grow^ 2 feet to 3 feet taU. The leaves are not cut 

 as is the case with the annual sorts. It blooms from June to September. 

 S. japonica grows 1/4 feet tall; the flowers are violet-blue and the 

 leaves are somewhat lobed. S. ochroleuca is a sulphur colored species 

 growing l3^ feet tafl. 



Uses. The graceful, long, wiry stems of the Pincushion Flower are 

 attractive in the border, rising as they do from a tuft of leaves upon the 

 soil. They are best used in the front of the border. As cut flowers 

 they are long keeping and are easily arranged in vases. 



Culture. They prefer weU drained locations and a suimy ex- 

 posure. The plants are said to prefer h'mestone soil. They winter 

 over exceUently unless standing in water-logged soil. 



Propagation. Scabiosas are readily increased from seed or by 

 division of the plants. The strongest plants are best raised from seed. 

 Mr. Cecil Davies writes that "in saving seed, that produced by the 

 central flowers should be chosen." The seeds are best sown in Spring, 

 but the plants sometimes do not bloom until the next year. 



