partII. astragalus. 155 



meadows. In a wild state it does not form the sturdy tufts 

 which it does in gardens, but like the wild orange Lily is 

 more beautiful when isolated in the grass. The flower is of 

 a pleasing pale blue, with a tint of violet, and an orange- 

 yellow eye, two inches across on plants cultivated in gar- 

 dens, usually somewhat smaller in a wild state. It forms 

 neat tufts eight to ten inches high, and is well suited for 

 rockwork or border decoration. The leaves are roughish .. 

 tJiree-nerved — slightly downy and sometimes velvety ; it is, how - 

 ever, quite distinct from any other plant in cultivation. There 

 is a white variety grown occasionally, like the ordinary one, in 

 continental flower-gardens. Easily multiplied by division, thrives 

 well in any sandy soil, and begins to flower in early summer. 



Of the very large Aster or Michaelmas Daisy family, there are 

 few dwarf enough to be associated with the preceding. The 

 most ornamental of the dwarf species is that known as bicolor 

 or versicolor, which, as it is somewhat prostrate, might be 

 planted with very good effect on the lower parts of rough rock 

 or root work. A. altaicus is also a dwarf species, with mauve- 

 coloured flowers two inches across, and A. Reeiiesii is a dwarf 

 neat species, occasionally seen, though not common. Where 

 the embellishment of rough rocky ground is desired, some of the 

 handsomest of the large-growing kinds might be used with 

 good effect, the Pyrenean Aster, A.pyrenaus, for example. 



ASTRAGALUS HYPOGLOTTIS.— /'zi:;'//^ Milk Vetch. 



A VERY dwarf, hairy perennial, with prostrate stems, and, for 

 the size of the plant, large heads of bluish-purple flowers. In 

 Britain it is found chiefly on the eastern side of the island from 

 Essex and Herts to Aberdeen, and on dry, gravelly, and chalky 

 pastures ; in Ireland it is only found on the island of Arran, in 

 Galway Bay. It forms a pretty object on level spots on the 

 rockwork, and should always be associated with very dwarf 

 subjects ; and though" it is not particular as to soil, it will be 

 found to thrive best in open well-drained sandy loam, or in 

 chalky soil. Astragalus hypoglottis albus is a very desirable 

 variety — the paper-white heads of flowers sitting close upon 

 the very dwarf carpet formed by the diminutive leaves. It looks 

 showy for such a dwarf white plant, and, when closely examined, 

 the flowers look singular from contrast with the short sooty or 



