Part II. SILENE. 341 



ing green leaves, which are, however, a Uttle more succulent and 

 obtuse, and bearing much larger and handsomer rose-coloured 

 flowers, rising taller than those of Silene acaulis, and yet scarcely 

 more than an inch above the flat mass of leaves, so that the whole 

 plant seldom attains a height of more than between two and 

 three inches. This plant has been but recently re-introduced to 

 cultivation by Messrs. Backhouse, of York, and will be found 

 to thrive as well on our rockworks as Silene acaulis. It should 

 be planted in deep sandy loam on a well-drained and thoroughly 

 exposed spot, sufficiently moist in summer, facing thesouth, a few 

 stones being placed round the neck of the young plant to keep it 

 firm and prevent evaporation. Once it begins to spread, it will 

 take care of itself There is a white variety, but it is not in 

 cultivation. 



SILENE SCHAETA.— Zfl/« Catchfiy. 



A MUCH branched plant, not compressed into hard cushions 

 like the alpine, stemless, or dwarf Silenes,- but withal forming 

 very neat tufts, from four to six inches high, and becoming 

 covered with large purplish-rose flowers from July to September, 

 and even later. It comes from the Caucasus, is perfectly hardy, 

 and a fine ornament for the front margin of the mixed border, 

 but is particularly suitable for almost any position on rockwork. 

 In planting it, it may be as well to bear in mind its late-flowering 

 habit ; it should not be used where a spring or early summer 

 bloom is chiefly sought, but it may be employed in the sum- 

 mer flower garden in edgings to permanent beds, in the small 

 circles round standard roses, &c., with better effect than most 

 alpine plants, and is easily raised from seed or increased by divi- 

 sion of established tufts. 



SILENE TIEGINICA.— i^'/r^ Pink. 



A BRILLIANT perennial, with flowers of the richest and brightest 

 scarlet, nearly or quite two inches across, and sometimes more ; 

 the petals long, rather narrow, and with a deep notch at the end of 

 each dividing it into two lobes ; the lower leaves of a dark brown 

 tone, and spoon-shaped, higher leaves lanceolate ; stems, a 

 chocolate brown, very brittle, thinly furnished with short hairs, 

 and slightly viscid. It seems somewhat straggling in habit, 

 is hardy and perennial, and, as the colour is as fine as that 



