76 THE GAKDENEB'S COMPANION 



fall about, and are untidy-looking plants ; they like 

 rich soil, but are apt to die off in a very damp one. 



Gentians. Nothing is more lovely than a group 

 or border of the lovely dark-blue G. acaulis in the 

 very early spring ; it is only four or five inches high, 

 but has very large flowers. The Gentians grow 

 best in damp, loamy soil, but must have full 

 sunshine. 



Gillenia trifoliata. A very pretty " aristocratic- 

 looking" plant, sometimes classed with Spiraeas; 

 two feet high, producing in July sprays of very 

 light-looking white flowers, with red calyx and 

 stems ; will grow in any well-drained soil. 



Globe Thistles Echinops Tall and effective 

 plants for the outskirts of the garden. E. ritro is 

 a good blue variety, and E. nivus is white; will 

 grow in the most arid dry places. 



Golden Rod Solidago. I do not think these 

 deserve a place in the garden, but they may be 

 useful for filling in rough places in the background, 

 with their large sprays of yellow flowers in the 

 autumn; almost any soil will suit them. 



Heaths Erica. All the heaths are pretty, but 

 most of them require peaty soil to do well. The 

 two most hardy kinds are E. carnea, which is 



