ASPERULA 95 



warm spot is chosen, and well-drained soil is finely worked 

 down ready to receive the seeds at the end of March. As all 

 the species are strong growers, the seedlings must be thinned 

 out or transplanted whilst still very small. 



The best are A. albiflora, \\ foot, a species that produces 

 white flowers at the end of the Summer ; A. hispida, 2\ feet, a 

 fine Californian plant that blooms in the early Autumn, and 

 has pure white flowers, often as much as 5 inches across ; 

 A. mexicanay 2 feet, a yellow-flowered species from Mexico ; 

 and A. ochroleuca, 2 feet, another Mexican plant with pale 

 yellow flowers. All these Argemones are lovers of sunshine, 

 consequently they must be planted in a bright, sunny position 

 or their full beauty will not be realised. 



ASPERULA 



" Woodruff" 



All the members of the Woodruff family {Rubiacecs) are 

 hardy, and one of them is an Annual that has achieved some 

 measure of popularity. This is A. azurea (syn. A. azurea- 

 setosa and A. orientalis), a plant prized for its profusion of 

 small, light blue flowers which are very suitable for use in 

 making up bouquets and other floral designs. It grows about 

 I foot high, and the little green leaves are placed eight 

 together in whorls. The flowers are fragrant and last well 

 when cut. Any good garden soil will suit A. azurea, and if 

 seeds are sown in March or April a good supply of plants can 

 be raised ; avoid thick sowing, remembering that when seeds 

 are small and cheap there is a great temptation to sow 

 thickly. 



ATRIPLEX 



" Orache " 



The Orache, Atriplex hortensis, is best known in the 

 Kitchen garden because it is a fair substitute for Spinach ; 



