Gardening for Amateurs 



53 



Funkia (Plantain Lily). This is ex- 

 cellently suited to the shady border, the 

 broad leaves render the plants attractive 

 before the lavender flower spikes push up. 

 The plants should be set along the front of 

 the border, .they make a very pretty edging. 

 F. Fortunei, F. ovata, F. ovata marginata, 

 F. Sieboldii, F. subcordata, F. undulata 

 argentea, and F. tardiflora are the best of 

 an interesting lot. The flower spikes grow 

 from 1 to 2 feet high. 



the border in small groups or clusters. The 

 dainty blue flowers make a delightful show 

 from April to June. 



Paeonia (Paeony). The gay flowers of 

 the Paeony are delightful during May, June, 

 and July. There are innumerable single and 

 double varieties, for a selection of which 

 reference may be made to a hardy plant 

 catalogue, but the reader may well begin with 

 the old-fashioned Double Crimson, Double 

 Rose, and Double White. 



White Violets on a border in the shade : the variety shown is Viola cucullata alba. 



Helleborus (Christmas and Lenten 

 Rose). Most garden lovers know the Christ- 

 mas Rose (H. niger) with its white flowers 

 opening in mid-winter, but the Lenten Rose 

 (H. orientals) is not so commonly seen. The 

 beautiful flowers, varying through rose, 

 purple and white, many of them handsomely 

 spotted, open from February to April. If 

 associated with hardy ferns on a shady 

 border the Lenten Roses find hosts of 

 admirers. 



Myosotis (Forget - me - not). This 

 should be scattered here and there along 



Papaver (Poppy). The Iceland Poppy 

 (Papaver nudicaule) is also a very dainty 

 little plant. It grows 3 or 4 inches high, 

 and has orange, yellow or white flowers. 

 The plants produce a succession of blooms 

 from May to September. They are readily 

 raised from seeds, which may be scattered 

 on the border in August or September to 

 produce flowering plants for the following 

 year. The Oriental Poppy (P. orientale) 

 also thrives on the shady border. 



Polygonatum multiflorum (Solomon's 

 Seal). The arching sprays, with drooping 



