158 



GARDEN FLOWERS. 



years is the bluets (Houstonia cmrulea). It is common 

 enough in the fields and woods of many localities of 

 America, but is none the less well deserving of cultiva- 

 tion. In height it only reaches about four inches, and the 

 flowers are small, light blue, pale lilac, or often almost 

 white, showing a yellowish eye. It is a dainty flower, and 

 does well in the front part "of the border or in rock-work. 

 8axifraga oordifolia (heart-leaved saxifrage) is one of the 



earliest of plants. Indeed, it some- 

 times blooms so early in March 

 that the flowers are injured by late 

 frosts, but to this danger all very 

 early flowers must be more or less 

 exposed. It is a curious-looking 

 plant, this saxifrage, when in bloom. 

 The thick, fleshy roots bear a 

 cluster of large heart-shaped, thick 

 evergreen leaves, from the centre 

 of which arises, in early spring, a 

 large naked stem, bearing at the top a spreading cluster 

 of bell-shaped, rose-colored flowers. In height it is some- 

 times a foot. 



Few plants give more delight on their first arrival in 

 spring, and afterwards until October, than the violets, the 

 bird's-foot violets of the United States ( Viola pedata). 

 They are much prized in Europe, and should be equally 

 valued here. The dark-green leaves are handsomely cut, and 

 the pale or deep blue flowers, an inch across, are very abun- 

 dant and showy, although only four or five inches high. The 

 pansy bird's-foot violet ( V. pedata var. hicolor) is a rare and 



HEART-LEAVED SAXIFRAGE. 



CsAXrpRAGA CORDIFOLIA.) 



