PERENNIAL PLANTS. 



239 



border, as it requires little or no trouble in its cultivation. Any 

 fine variety may readily be propagated by cuttings. Florists dignify 

 the finer kinds with names which are neither 

 worth recording nor committing to memory. 



The Aquilegia vulgaris, or Columbine (fig. 

 445), is a fine plant; which may be grown oc- 

 casionally as a single plant. Three or four in a 

 garden are sufficient. There are many varieties 

 and several species of 

 aquilegia. 



Delphinium formo- 

 suin, or Perennial Lark- 

 spur (fig. 446), is another 

 border plant of high 

 merit. It is easily 

 raised from seed in the 



open border, and the f'^^- 44S.-Variegated Columbine. F.G. 446--Perenn;al Larkspu, 



plants will last several years. The colour of the flower is a moai 

 brilliant blue; and amongst its varieties there is a pale blue flower 

 of matchless hue, called the Delphinium Belladotina. There are 

 numerous other varieties of more or less merit. 



For a bright yellow flower, few can surpass the Eschscholtzia 

 californica (fig. 447), which was introduced into this 

 country by the Horticultural Society, 

 having been discovered by Mr. 

 Douglas. The flowers are very 

 brilliant when seen in a mass ; it 

 is, however, a little tender. 



We must not omit Pentstemons 

 (fig. 448) from the list of our com- 

 mon border plants. There is a 



Fig. 447. — Eschscholtzia californica. 



Fig. 448 — Pent- 

 stemon. 



disadvantage attending their use, 



as they are killed in severe winters and have to be protected in 



frames. Nevertheless, there are many beautiful varieties which should 



