in en) out of ttor ISirfern. 249 



Olympus, its single is beautiful, and its double 

 doubly so, as it remains so much longer in per- 

 fection. The Japanese Veronica longifolia sub- 

 sfssi/ts, a midsummer flower of recent introduc- 

 tion, is unquestionably the finest herbaceous 

 speedwell. Its flower is a lovely deep blue, and 

 its foliage handsome. It is in all respects a su- 

 perior border-plant ; this species, however, does 

 not make seed. 



Where the climate suits it. the large horse- 

 mint (Monarda didyma), one of the best of the 

 big labiates and the finest of the genus, is a valu- 

 able garden-flower. The leaves possess a strong 

 mint-like odor, and the dark red of its flowers is 

 striking. It is apt to encroach upon its neigh- 

 bors, however, and requires abundant moisture. 

 This species is said to give a decoction but little 

 inferior to the true tea. and was formerly largely 

 used as a substitute in Pennsylvania. 



There are numerous species of the Statict, or 

 sea-lavender, the best of which is 5. lutifolia. 

 The Staticc is invaluable for bouquets, and should 

 be in every garden for cutting, to employ in the 

 old-fashioned nosegay. One sometimes becomes 

 tired of the regulation bouquet, composed of a 

 single flower, and then the Statice helps one out. 

 I see it now, its feathery sprays rising above 

 the sweet-smelling nosegay composed of car- 

 17 



