256 



CASSELL'S POPXJLAR GAEDENING. 



Megasea [Saxifrage). — The Megaaeas were for- 

 merly included among the Saxifrages, but they now 

 form a group by themselves. There are not many 

 • of them, but they are a valuable group of very in- 

 teresting hardy plants, closely allied to the Saxi- 

 frages, it is true, but very distinct in general ap- 

 pearance. The foliage consists of large, bold leaves, 

 from six to twelve inches in length, very thick, and 

 usually evergreen. They flower in spring, some 

 earlier than others ; the blossoms are in numerous 

 panicles, about a foot in height, and from six to 

 eight inches in circumference. They are all more 

 or less distinct in foliage and flower, and well worth 

 growing in summer borders and in pots ; and most 

 of them do well in smoky 

 atmospheres. They are all 

 hardy perennials. One of 

 the best known is M. (Saxi- 

 fraga) cordifoUa. This is a 

 very large-leaved evergreen 

 perennial, and it blooms pro- 

 fusely in early spring ; the 

 flowers are rose-coloured. 

 There are some good varieties 

 of this. One is named piir- 

 purea, because of the rich 

 purple colour of the flowers, 

 and it is perhaps the very 

 best of the group. M. eras- 

 aifolia is the Thick-leaved 

 Saxifrage, and is very closely 

 allied to the foregoing, but it 

 is considered, on the whole, 

 superior. Both are natives 

 of Siberia, and they are 



admirably adapted for planting in the spring 

 garden, where they flower very freely indeed. M. 

 ciliata, or ligulata, is a very early variety also, 

 and may be used ia pots in early spring for a 

 cold -house with great effect. There are several 

 pleasing varieties of this. M. orUeularis has thick 

 leathery foliage, and heads of rose-coloured flowers ; 

 it is later in flowering than the preceding. M. 

 Straeheyi is a fine plant, producing large spreadiog 

 panicles of white flowers of great beauty. Being 

 plants of strong growth and also free - flowering, 

 they should be planted in a good deep loam, trenched 

 and well manured, and have some top-dressings of 

 manure in early spring. AH the Megaseas can be 

 propagated by division of the roots. 



"We have alluded to M. cordifolia doing well in 

 smoky atmospheres. It is an admirable plant for 

 forecourt gardens in towns ; it stands all weathers, 

 and as soon as the reviving influences of spring are 

 felt it unfolds its leaves and develops its flowers : a 

 charming spring plant of unusual attractiveness. 



Megasea cbassifolia. 



American Cowslip [Bodeoatheon). — The Do- 

 decatheons make up a smaU genus of Primrose- 

 worts. According to Chaucer, " wort " was a term 

 applied to aU cultivated plants. These American 

 Cowslips grow freely in woods in North America, 

 where they are known by the name of Shooting 

 Stars. " They are all perennial, and perfectly hardy 

 in this country, requiring a cool situation, and light 

 loamy soU, though they grow as freely in peat or 

 leaf-mould, but a proper situation is the principal 

 point in their cultivation. All grow freely, and 

 soon form large tufts, which require division every 

 third or fourth year. The best time to perform this 

 operation is the latter end of January or beginning 

 of February, when the roots 

 are becoming active, taking 

 care not to divide them into 

 too small pieces, as in that 

 case they are in danger of 

 losing the plants while in a 

 weakly condition" [Garden). 

 The species and varieties in 

 cultivation are as follows : — 

 J). Jfcarfia, the common Ame- 

 rican Cowslip, the flowers of 

 which are of a pale purple, 

 and fragrant, and produced 

 in umbels on erect, slender 

 stems, twelve to fifteen inches 

 high. Of this there are several 

 distinct varieties, differing 

 more or less in size of flower, 

 colour, and height of plant. 

 Among the best of these may 

 be mentioned D, giganteum, 

 eUgana, aliifiorvm, and violaceum. J). Jeffreyanum is 

 the Giant American Cowslip, the largest of the group ; 

 the foliage is long and erect ; the stems are twenty 

 inches in height, supporting large umbels of droop- 

 ing, rose-coloured flowers, with yellow centres. In 

 rich, moist, loamy soil the plant grows vigorously in 

 an ordinary border, but it succeeds best when par- 

 tially shaded from the mid-day sun. It is thoroughly 

 hardy, and one of the best of our border perennials. 

 I). integrifoUum is the Entire-leaved American Cow- 

 slip ; being, perhaps, the most lovely of the genus, 

 and an excellent rook-plant. Its foliage begins to 

 make its appearance in March, and when well grovm 

 attains a height of from four to five inches, sup- 

 porting four to ten Cyclamen-like blooms, of a 

 deep crimson colour. It is a perfect little gem for 

 a cool, shady spot. 



Jacob's Iiadder {Polemonkm). — This plant is 

 usually supposed to have derived its name (Jacob's 

 Ladder) from its successive pairs of leaflets. It is 



