A YEAR'S GARDENING 



colour of which is at first a delicate pink, deepening into blue as the 

 bloom matures. M. maritima is a native of our sea-coasts, and with 

 a suitable soil — light and sandy — and a sunny situation it ought to 

 do W(2ll in cultivation and display its pretty blue flowers from year 

 to year. Besides these there is a dwarf kind, M. alpina, suitable for 

 the Alpine Garden, growing from 6 to 8 inches high and blossoming 

 in early summer into clusters of light blue flowers. 



MICHAELMAS DAISY. Under this name is commonly known 

 the perennial Aster or Starwort, a hardy, bush-like plant which may 

 well find a place in our gardens, not only because of the beauty of 

 form and colour which the many varieties display, but also because 

 of their blooming so late into the autumn. The best effect of the 

 plants is often lost through the mistake of tying them up in bundles 

 against a stake, instead of allowing them to grow in masses and sup- 

 port each other. The following are a few of the best kinds: Aster 

 acris, amellus, cordifoUus, turbinellus, umbellatus and grandiflorus; 

 besides which there are many beautiful varieties in the Novi Belgi 

 and Noves Anglics types. All may be raised from seed by sowing in 

 pots or pans in autumn; the seedlings should be ready for planting 

 out in the spring and flower the following autumn. 



MICHAUXIA. The M. campanuloides is usually classed as a 

 hardy biennial, but it does not thrive well except in a warm and 

 sheltered position, though in a suitable situation it wiU often continue 

 to flower for the third or fourth year; more wisely, however, it 

 should be sown every year. It is a tall and stately plant with flowers 

 not unlike the Passion Flower, white tinged with purple, and if well 

 grown is very effective in a mixed border or among evergreen shrubs. 



MIGNONETTE. The delightful fragrance of this plant (Reseda 

 odorata) ensures its welcome. There are several varieties, such as 

 grandiflora and jbyramiialis, while Machet, with its bold spikes of 

 reddish-brown flowers, is a general favourite, especially as a pot- 

 plaftt. For winter flowering indoors the seed should be sown about 

 August in a compost of sandy loam and leaf-manure, taking care to 

 sow thinly. 



MIMULUS (Monkey-Plower, Musk). The cultivated forms of 

 this plant make showy border flowers and are interesting from their 

 curious markings, whfle the M. moschatus (the common Musk) is 

 acceptable for its perfume. All the varieties love moisture, and in 

 sowing seed, which should be merely sprinkled on the surface and 

 not covered with soil, it is often advantageous to lay over it hghtly 



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