156 HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



and a. very showy plant : it proves hardy with us, 

 and no choice collection should be without it. 



Hepaticas do not require Rhododendron soil, but 

 thrive wonderfully in the sunny edges of Rhododen- 

 dron-beds, blooming gayly in early April, when the 

 Kalmiaglauca, the Cassandra, Rhodora, and Daurie 

 Rhododendron begin to open their blossoms, and 

 all the year are ornamental from their neat, ever- 

 green foliage. 



The only culture, when once planted, is to let 

 them alone : they are impatient of disturbance and 

 of extremes of drought and moisture. 



In winter we lay an evergreen l^ougli over the 

 plants to protect the foliage from the sun, but this 

 is not necessary. They are propagated by division 

 in early spring. 



To all we say. Grow hepaticas, even if the garden 

 is but a few feet square. They occupy little room, 

 and are the sunniest, the brightest, the most cheery 

 children of the floral world. 



The Sanguinaria. 



The Bloodroot (>S. caiindensis'), a well-known 

 native plant, -thrives perfectly in the garden. 

 Transplanted from the woods to a deep, rich soil, 

 the flowers increase in size and in the number of 

 petals, and ripen seed freely, which often sows 

 itself. 



It is curious to watch this plant in the early days 

 of spring : a few hours will often be sufficient to 

 expand the snowy blossoms, and to spread the count- 

 less yellow stamens to the sun. 



