UMBELLIFERAE 119 



The Evening Primroses, beautiful as they are, are not 

 among my greatest successes. A drier climate, lighter 

 soil, and quicker drainage would probably make these 

 Americans happier. I have tried the pink-white speciosa 

 again and again (could there be a lovelier thing than 

 this, or its variety rosea ?), but never with any permanent 

 good luck. A wet winter overcomes it, and I never see 

 any more of it. Serrulata, however, seems a trustworthy 

 plant here ; unfortunately I cannot care much for it. I 

 think its abundant yellow flowers rather small and mean. 

 Missouriensis, rightly a herbaceous species, prostrate, 

 with enormous yellow blossoms, is really and honestly 

 and enduringly prosperous here, which gives me much to 

 be thankful for. Youngi is good, too, and thrives ; 

 Howardi, stout seedlings, has made haste to depart. 



It is a rare thing to come upon an attractive plant 

 among the Umbelliferae. But Dondia Epipactis is a 

 pleasant plant by reason of its quaintness. In early 

 spring it sends up its glossy sanicle-like leaves, and then, 

 on a three-inch stem, above the leaves, a queer, little 

 inconspicuous head of yellow flowers. Dondia prospers 

 anywhere, but, being small and meek in habit, should 

 have a choice corner, where he may be trusted not to get 

 into mischief. Of the larger Umbellifers few can come 

 into the rock-garden, though on very bold constructions 

 our native Myrrhis odorata, with vast fern-like fronds, is 

 very handsome indeed; while the giant Fennels and 

 Heracleums {^Ferula Linki and Heracleum mantegaz- 

 zianum especially) should also find a place. 



The Sea-Hollies, with their steely blue leaves and 

 flowers, are so weU known and such useful border-plants, 

 that one need hardly describe them or prescribe them. 

 But I cherished in the moraine-garden one exquisite and 

 rare little Sea-Holly, who never seems to grow more than 

 four inches high or so, with small spiny leaves, and bluey- 



