i68 PLANT CULTURE 



and A. pyrenaicum have pale yellow flowers. A. Napdlus and its 

 forms flower about mid-Summer. A . Fischeri, a pale blue flowered 

 native species, blooms late in Summer. In the warmer parts of the 

 country, where the Delphiniums will not thrive, some of the Aconi- 

 tums will be found to be pretty fair substitutes, as they thrive 

 moderately well where the sun is only allowed to strike them 

 through a leafy shade. If the soil around them is given a mulch 

 2 or 3 inches deep, to preserve moisture, they will flower all the bet- 

 ter for it. 



Propagation. By division in Fall or Spring. 



ADONIS. The annual species, of which there are two, A. 

 cuiivalis and A. autumnalis, are more commonly grown than the 

 perennials, of which there are five. A. vernalis, A. pyrenaica and 

 A. amurensis are very elegant species for borders or rockwork. 

 The last named species is one of the earliest plants to bloom out of 

 doors- very heavy frosts do not seem to hurt the growth above 

 ground in January and February. The flowers are large, yellow; 

 the foliage much divided. It is very much used with Snowdrops 

 in public parks. 



Propagation. By seed is a rather slow method. Large plants 

 will best stand division in early Autumn 



yETHIONEMA. y£. coridifolium is a slender, evergreen shrub, 

 growing about 6 inches, suitable for edgings of borders or for rock- 

 work. Other good species are M. grandiflorum and .£. pulchellum. 

 When in rockwork pockets give a mulching of leaf soil or moss to 

 prevent baking of the earth and to keep the roots cool. 



Propagation. Very readily raised from seeds which should be 

 sown in Autumn and the seedlings put out early in Spring. 



AGROSTEMMA (Lychnis). The species A. coronaria and 

 its varieties are always satisfactory in the herbaceous border. The 

 foliage is silvery throughout, the flowers are rose colored; A. c. alro^ 

 sanguinea, crimson; ^-1. c. alba, white; A. c. hybrida, rosy crimson. 

 They grow from i to 2 feet high. .1. flos-Jovis differs from A. 

 coronaria, in having umbellate heads of bloom, with the fohage 

 narrower. The flowers are purple or scarlet. Almost any kind of 

 soil will suit them, but they must have full sunshine. All of the 

 above are useful plants for florists to handle. 



Propagation. Sow the seed in the Fall ; keep in a cool house. 

 As soon as the seedlings are large enough prick off into boxes. 

 They may be put out in a coldframe very early in the season. Or by 



