FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
106 
that is widely grown for ornamental purposes, was not seen here until 
seventy-six years ago, when it was introduced from Algeria. 
Lintjm ALPINTJM (alpine). A dwarf perennial, about 
Principal Species. ^ high, with awl-shaped leaves, covered with 
pellucid dots. Flowers few, large, blue; July and August. 
L ANGUSTIFOLIUM (slender-leaved). Stems many, 1 foot high. 
Leaves narrow, lance-shaped. Flowers pale lilac-blue; May to September. 
Annual or perennial. 
L. ARBOREUM (tree-like). A dwarf shrub, about 1 foot high, with 
wedge-shaped, recurved leaves. Flowers few, yellow, large and hand¬ 
some ; May and June. Bather tender, requiring a sunny position, with 
slight winter protection. 
L. flavum (yellow). Stems with shrubby base, 1 foot to 18 inches 
high. Leaves narrow, lance-shaped. Flowers numerous, golden yellow, 
produced in dense corymbs; June to August. Needs slight winter 
protection in North of England. 
L. grandiflortjm (large flowered). Stems slender, erect, 6 to 18 
inches. Leaves slender, lance-shaped. Flowers, 1 inch in diameter, 
crimson, with dark radiating streaks at the base of the petals, borne in 
panicles; June to August. Hardy annual Plate 52. 
L. perenne (perennial). Stems nearly erect, 12 to 18 inches, wiry 
and slender. Leaves very slender, smooth. Flowers bright blue, 1 inch 
diameter; June and July. 
L. usitatissimum (most-used). Common Flax. Stems erect, 
smooth, branched above, 18 inches high. Leaves lance-shaped, upper 
very slender. Flowers large, blue, in corymbose panicles; June and 
July. Hardy annual. 
Cultivation. Most of the above-mentioned species are very free 
bloomers, whether annuals or perennials; and with the two 
exceptions mentioned, are sufficiently hardy to make their cultivation 
easy. Even in these cases the only protection needed is the shelter of a 
bush or two in the hardest part of the winter. Linnms like a well- 
drained sandy soil, and if to this is added a little peat or leaf-mould, they 
enjoy it the more. The dwarfer forms make good subjects for the rock- 
garden. Seeds may be sown out of doors in April, or in the case of the 
annual species, such as L. grandijlorum, in March, where they are to 
flower, thinning out the seedlings to a distance of six inches apart. The 
perennial species may also be propagated by means of cuttings, taken 
from the hardened young growths in summer, and struck under glass in 
the shade. 
Under the names of L. trigynum and L. tetragynum two useful 
