86 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



they may suffer harm during the Winter, or make growth at 

 the expense of flowers. 



5. gallica, \\ foot, pink, is another annual species of 

 some merit. 



SPECULARIA 

 " Corn Violet" 



Closely allied to the Campanulas are the low-growing 

 Specularias {Cavipanulacecs). They are of spreading habit, 

 rarely exceeding a foot in height, and yield bell-shaped 

 flowers. All are hardy, and best raised by sowing in Septem- 

 ber where the plants are to flower. The Rock garden pro- 

 vides a pleasant home for them, and they are then seen to 

 advantage. The chief species are S./aicata, i foot, blue; 5. 

 hybrida, 6 to i2 inches, lilac or blue; S. pentagonia, i foot, 

 deep blue; S. per/oliata, i foot, purplish-blue; and the pretty 

 S. Speculum, i foot, of which there are white and rich purple 

 varieties. 



STATICE 

 " Sea Lavender " 



Not only are the Half-hardy Sea Lavenders {PluvibagifiecB) 

 good for garden decoration when planted in masses, but 

 the flower spikes are elegant for filling vases, and if cut and 

 suspended head downwards until dry they are available for 

 Winter use when flowers are none too plentiful. In some 

 districts these annual Statices are grown in large quantities for 

 the cut flower markets. They all delight in a fairly light soil 

 containing plenty of grit, and leaf-mould or peat. The best 

 way to manage them is to sow the seeds in fine, sandy soil, 

 merely covering them, in February or March, placing them 

 in a temperature of about 6o° to germinate. Prick off into 

 other boxes, harden gradually, and plant them in the flowering 

 quarters in May. The distinct appearance of the Statices 

 always attracts attention. 



