HARDY EXOTIC FLOWERING PLANTS. 133 
improvement of the size of the individual blooms ; they are so matted 
together in the shrubberies I have mentioned, and have remained so 
long in the same place, that the flowers are small.” 
Virgin’s Bower, Clematis.—Mostly climbing or trailing plants, 
free, often luxuriant, sometimes rampant, in habit, with bluish, violet, 
purple, white, or yellow flowers, produced most profusely, and some- 
times deliciously fragrant. They are most suited for covering stumps, 
planting on rocky places, among low shrubs in copses, for draping over 
the faces of rocks, sunny banks, or the brows of sunk fences, covering 
objectionable railings, 
rough bowers, chalk 
pits, hedges, etc., and 
occasionally for isolat- 
ing in large tufts in 
open spaces where 
their effect could be 
seen from a distance. 
Not particular as to 
soil, the stronger kinds The White-flowered European Clematis (C. erecta). 
will grow in any 
ground, but the large-flowered new hybrids will thrive best in warm, 
rich, deep soil. 
C. Viorna, C. flammula, montana, campaniflora, Viticella, and 
cirrhosa, must not be omitted from a selection of the wild kinds. The 
new garden hybrids will also be useful. 
Dwarf Cornel, Cornus canadensis—This charming little bushy 
plant, singularly beautiful from its white bracts, is a very attractive 
subject for naturalisation in moist, sandy, or peaty spots, in which our 
native heaths, Mitchella repens, Linnea borealis, and the Butterworts 
would be likely to thrive. It would also grow well in moist woods, 
where the herbaceous vegetation is dwarf. 
Mocassin Flower, Cypripedium spectabile—The noblest of hardy 
orchids, found far north in America, and thriving perfectly in England 
and Ireland in deep rich or vegetable soil. Wherever the soil is not 
naturally peat or rich vegetable matter this fine plant will succeed on 
the margins of beds of rhododendrons, etc. It should be sheltered by 
surrounding bushes, and be in a moist position. Others of the genus, 
and various other hardy orchids, are worthy of naturalisation ; but the 
mocassin flower is the best as well as the most easily tried at present. 
Sowbread, Cyclamen.—It was the sight of a grove nearly covered 
