i88 PLANT CULTURE 



ECHINACEA (Purple Cone Flower). E. {Rudbeckia) pur- 

 purea is a purple Sunflower; should be grown in the herbaceous bor- 

 der, as it is a showy perennial. It reaches a height of from 2 to 3 feet. 



Propagation. It is increased by division and by seeds. 



ERODIUM (Heron's Bill). E. Manescavi is one of the finest 

 herbaceous plants for rock gardens or for the edge of a border. It is 

 closely related to the Geranium. It can withstand extremes of heat 

 and cold and should have a conspicuous position. There is a steady 

 succession of bloom from June to August. It is a native of the 

 Pyrenees. It grows to a height of 18 inches, having strong, rosy- 

 purple flowers. 



Propagation. Can be propagated by division at almost any 

 time, or by seeds planted in the Spring. 



FERULA (Giant Fennel). F. communis is probably the best 

 known. The flower stalk is about 10 feet tall. Its great beauty Hes 

 in its striking foliage, which is almost as fine as some species of 

 Asparagus. Sometimes new leaves appear shortly before frost and 

 these persist over Winter. It is one of the earliest plants to show 

 above ground in the Spring. It goes to rest before the end of July. 



Propagation. By seeds. Although seedlings take a long time 

 to make maximum-sized plants they are worth waiting for. About 

 the middle of March is the best time to sow the seed, so that they 

 can make as much growth as possible before the resting period. 



FUNKIA (Plantain Lily). A small genus of very handsome 

 foliage and flowering plants of the Lily family. Most of them are 

 from Japan. Sometimes called Hosta or Hostia. Their masses of 

 root leaves, as well as their white and bluish flowers, are very 

 ornamental. F. ovata has beU-shaped blue flowers and ornamental 

 leaves. The variety F. o. marginata has the foliage margined with 

 white. F. lancifolia has short, narrow leaves with a pale lilac 

 flower. F. Sieboldiana is a strong-growing species, with large, 

 glaucous leaves. The flowers are white, tinged with lilac. It is a 

 very desirable species, thriving well in sun or shade. F. suhcordata 

 is the commonest species found in old yards. It has very large, 

 pure white flowers on long stalks. The leaves are light green, but 

 somewhat soft. It blooms late in the season, preferring partial 

 shade. 



Propagation. By dividing the clumps. Some species produce 

 seeds freely and seedlings can be grown readily if seed is sown as 

 soon as ripe. 



