SILENE 85 



all through the season. In a moist season the plants may 

 reach i| foot high, but the dwarf strain offered will rarely 

 exceed 8 inches. The colours available are white, pink, 

 salmon, purple, carmine, and crimson, and these are some- 

 times offered separately, though a popular method is to 

 obtain a packet of mixed colours, and bed out the seedlings 

 in May, putting them 6 inches apart. Seeds sown in the 

 open in April or May flower rather late, therefore it is better 

 to make a sowing in a warm greenhouse in March. These 

 double Senecios are first rate for cutting, as they are pretty 

 and long lasting. 



SILENE 



" Catchfly " — " Campion " 



Some eighteen species of Silene {Caryophyllace(B) are Hardy 

 Annuals, but only S. pendula and its many varieties need be 

 seriously considered for garden decoration. All are splendid 

 for Spring displays, and their usefulness is fully understood by 

 lovers of Rock gardens and by those who desire a carpeting 

 plant for bulbs. Most of the varieties have double flowers, 

 and the colour may be white, rose, pink, or red. The com- 

 pacta strain is the best for bedding arrangements, and such 

 named sorts as Empress of India, rosy-crimson ; Peach 

 Blossom, pink ; and Snow Queen, white, are all of the greatest 

 beauty. Another excellent form is Bonnetti, deep rose, with 

 dark stems and foliage, while Bijou is a lovely shade of pink, 

 with glaucous leafage. Outdoor sowings are by far the 

 best, and for Spring flowering August or September is the 

 time to sow, while an April sowing will give a late Summer 

 display. As the Silenes continue to blossom for a con- 

 siderable period and provide much variety of colour, 

 they form an exceedingly useful and beautiful group of 

 flowers. About 6 inches apart is a good distance to plant. 

 Autumn-raised seedlings should not be put into rich soil, or 



