192 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
a plant from Siberia, which has small dull brick-red flow- 
ers; very different from D.cardinalis, which had flowers 
the size of those of D. elatum. I also imported seed of it, 
and had a hundred or more plants, which all turned out 
to be the common D. elatum. After this experience, who 
ean blame me if I did feel a little waspish. 
The annual Larkspurs are familiar to almost every one. 
Some of the species and varieties are among the most 
tommon ornaments of the garden. They are all hardy, 
and flower stronger when self-sown in summer, or planted 
in beds or borders in August or September. There are 
two distinct species of Annual Larkspur: D. Ajacis, or 
Dwarf Rocket, with a variety called the tall German 
Rocket; and D. consolida. 
D. consélida, or Branching Larkspur.—This species 
grows from two to three feet high, producing its flowers 
in spikes, which are continually pushing out from the main 
stem and branches, affording abundance of bloom through 
the season. The double varieties are the most desirable. 
Masses of the different colors appear to great advantage. 
There are the double white, rose, pale-blue, dark-blue, lilac 
or ash color, striped red and white, blue and white, and 
variously mottled. ? 
D. Ajicis.— Dwarf Rocket Larkspur—A bed of the 
double varieties of this species is almost equal in beauty, 
when properly grown, to a bed of Hyacinths; early sown 
plants are in bloom in June and July, but do not continue 
in bloom so long as those of D. consolida; grows a foot 
high. We import tliem in packages of ten to fifteen va- 
rieties. To have them in the greatest perfection, the seed 
should be sown in autumn. 
D. Ajacis major.— Tall Rocket Larkspur. — Appears 
very much like the last described, except the flower-stems 
are a foot and one-half to two feet high. In flower at the 
