HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS 169 



sowing early in September the seedlings can be wintered in frames. 

 They are also increased by cuttings and by division of the old 

 plants. 



AJUGA (Bugle Weed). The creeping or stoloniferous species 

 are much used as dwarf plants for forming dense carpets, either on 

 rockwork or in the open border. As they grow in dense masses they 

 usually are self-supporting during the hot months. A . repians var. 

 rubra has dark purple foliage and is excellent for covering shady 

 places. A. r. variegata is beautifully mottled with yellow. A. 

 genevensis is a variable species with dull red, white or blue flowers; 

 does well in shady places. They are especially suited for cemetery 

 work. 



Propagation. All of the above are readily increased by divi- 

 sion either in Fall or Spring, or by seeds. 



ALTH^A (Hollyhock). One of the tallest growing herba- 

 ceous plants, also one of the showiest, the Hollyhock, Althma rosea, 

 may be called an old-fashioned flower, and it is doubtful if there has 

 been any improvement in the size and shape of the bloom for a 

 goodly number of years. A host of varieties used to be kept true to 

 name years ago; these were perpetuated by cuttings, divisions and 

 grafting on roots; but now the best sorts come tolerably true from 

 seeds. The principal colors are white, yellow, pink, red and purple. 

 Seeds to produce flowering plants within a year should be sown as 

 soon as ripe — usually in August. Sow in a box of rather light soil 

 and cover very lightly with screened moss. The seedlings being 

 large from the start should be put singly in small pots, and as they 

 get too large for that size, shift into two or three sizes larger. Keep 

 them in a coldframe; give an abundance of ventilation in favorable 

 weather so that they may become stocky and robust. The ground 

 should be well prepared for their reception, otherwise they will not 

 attain full size — 6 to 8 feet tall — and only remain in bloom two or 

 three weeks. The plants should be put out as early as the ground 

 can be worked. Good kinds should be marked for seed as they 

 bloom. 



Propagation. By sowing seeds in August as they ripen, and 

 following directions given above. 



ALYSSUM (Madwort). In this genus there are several rock- 

 work or border plants, which, in their seasons, make a good show 

 while in bloom. A. saxatile and A. s. compactum are Spring bloom- 

 ers. The plants are of a dwarf, shrubby nature with grayish-green 

 leaves and dense heads of deep yellow flowers. A. s. variegatum has 



