A YENS. 15 



[Geum urbaniim), producing yellow flowers like those of 

 a ])otentilla^ and the water avens [G. rivale), which has 

 nodding flowers, curiously combining pur[)le and orange in 

 their colours. The scarlet avens is a native of (Jhili, and 

 there are two or three varieties of it in cultivation. We 

 adopt Liudley's name for our heading, but the plant is also 

 known as G. cluloetiHe. 



Where space can be found for a few other species, we 

 can recommend the yellow mountain avens [(}. moiilaitiuii), 

 which p)roduces yellow flowers; the creepiiug avens [G. 

 reptaas), also producing yellow flowers; and the three- 

 flowered avens {G. trijiuniiii) , which differs from the others 

 in its diminutive growth- To these may be added the 

 two British species. The ordinary soil of any good border 

 or well-made rockery will suit them all perfectly. The 

 best of the bunch are G. coccun'iiiii and G. inonlainiin, as 

 may be learned sometimes at a horticultural exhibi- 

 tion. It happens occasionally that prudent promoters of 

 flower shows offer prizes for collections of hardy plants ; 

 and these two beautiful geums often appear in such collec- 

 tions, their fresh distinct beauty rendering them " show 

 plants,'" in the proper sense of the term. 



Having mentioned the potentilla as a near relation to 

 the avens, it is but just to another charming plant, as also 

 to the reader who can love such things, to mention the 

 white mountain avens [Dr/ias oclujjetala), an extremel}' 

 beautiful and scarce British wilding, which betrays its 

 geographical relations in all its characteristics. It is the 

 way of mountain plants to have short stems and a close 

 tufted leafage, and flowers very large in proportion to the 

 open parts. This lovely dryas conforms to the rule. Its 

 evergreen leaves are deeply cut, and on the under side 



