AQUILEGIAS (COLUMBINES). 133 



great favourite. It is an American plant, but hybrids 

 have been raised by crossing it, and seed of them is 

 procurable. It is best raised from seed every ye^^r, 

 as it does not spread much at the root and often dies 

 out. 



Fragrans has pale yellow, scented flowers. It is 

 not a well-known species, and lacks the importance 

 of those already named. It has downy leaves. 



Glandulosa has long been a precious species with 

 lovers of hardy plants. Its blue and white flowers 

 are of most exquisite beauty and it is admirable for 

 the rock garden owing to its neat habit. It is known 

 as a short-lived plant, but that is not so serious as it 

 might be, since it is easily raised from seed. It enjoys 

 loamy soil with an admixture of sand and peat. 



Stuarti is another charming Columbine well suited 

 for the rockery. It is similar to glandulosa, of which 

 it is a hybrid. It is a more accommodating and longer- 

 lived plant than the parent, and none need grieve over 

 ill-success with glandulosa if they have Stuarti in 

 reserve. 



Vulgaris is the common native Columbine, and too 

 vigorous a plant for any except large rock gardens. 

 Some of its selected forms are very beautiful, notably 

 the white, which I find to seed itself freely on the 

 limestone. There is a splendid form of it called 

 Munstead White. Leptoceras is probably a white 

 form of caerulea. 



