HARDY PERENNIAL PLANTS 175 



for rockwork, especially the variegated form. A. lucida is dwarfer 

 than the other two; this has also a variegated form which should 

 not be allowed to flower 



Propagation. The variegated varieties should be propagated 

 by division, or by cuttings put in early in the season. The green- 

 leaved kinds are best raised from seeds, treated in the same manner 

 as recommended for Aubrietia. 



ARGEMONE (Devil's Fig). Most of the species grown in 

 gardens are of annual duration. They will germinate outdoors late 

 in Spring and develop very rapidly into flowering plants. A. 

 grandiflora is a perennial with white flowers 3 to 5 inches in diameter, 

 but not so free in blooming as the annual species. It must be given 

 a position in full sunshine. A. mexicana, with its orange-colored 

 flowers, called the Mexican Poppy, is also excellent. 



Propagation. Seedlings should be pricked off into small pots 

 as soon as the seed leaves are developed, as the roots will not endure 

 much disturbance. 



ARMERIA (Sea Pink). Of the Sea Pinks A. vulgaris is the 

 best known. It grows in dense, low clumps, having narrow, grass- 

 like leaves. The flowers are in close heads, on scapes only a few 

 inches high. There are numerous forms of this species, with red, 

 lilac, deep pink and white flowers. A. cephaloles has much larger 

 leaves than the above, and the flowers, which are deep rose, or crim- 

 son, are borne on very long scapes. A . plantaginea is intermediate 

 in size between the two first-named species, having pink flowers. 



Propagation. The choicer varieties are best increased by divi- 

 sion; the pieces should be potted in sandy soil in the beginning of 

 October and kept in a close frame to encourage roots. All of the 

 species are best raised from seed. Sow late in Autumn, in a cool 

 house, prick off the seedlings and remove to a coldframe early to 

 thoroughly harden off. In this section we put out plants of this 

 class in the open ground as soon as it is in a workable condition, 

 so that they may be well established before the hot weather arrives. 



ASCLEPIAS (Pleurisy Root). The A. tuber osa, also called 

 Butterfly Weed, is one of our most showy flowered native her- 

 baceous plants. It is deep rooting, and is frequently seen growing 

 luxuriantly in dry fields in positions fully exposed to the sun, with 

 the surrounding herbage almost withered. It is late in blooming 

 and valuable on this account. These are very showy and worthy 

 of more attention. When cultivated in gardens the blooming period 

 is longer than is the case with wild plants. 



