The Garden of British Wild Flowers. 183 



Of the several kinds of Vicia, or vetch, tWo at 

 least are eminently worthy of culture — V. Cracca 

 and V. sylvatica. The first of these makes a 

 charming border plant if slightly supported on 

 stakes when young, so that it may have hidden its 

 supports by the time the flowers appear. I have 

 grown this a perfect wide-spreading mass of bluish 

 purple, and it is one of the most conspicuous of 

 herbaceous plants. The other kind is of a climb- 

 ing habit, but most elegant when seen running 

 up the stems of young trees or over bushes. This 

 is found in most woody hilly districts of Britain 

 and Scotland, and V. Cracca is common every- 

 where in this country. Among British peas 

 decidedly the best is the Sea Pea, Lathyrus 

 maritimus, which makes a remarkably hand- 

 some plant in rich deep ground ; and, indeed, its 

 large bluish purple flowers make it attractive on 

 any soil. It occurs on the coast of southern and 

 eastern England, of Shetland, and of Kerry, in 

 Ireland. The seeds are edible, and have been 

 used ere now by the country people as food. 



In the Rose order both the Spiraeas will repay 

 attention ; certainly S. filipendula, which, in addi- 

 tion to its pretty flowers, has leaves cut somewhat 

 after the fashion of a fern, and may indeed be used 



