238 THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



S. calabrica has pink star-shaped flowers ; it grows 6in. high 

 and flowers in August. There is. also a variety, alba, with pure 

 white flowers. 



Scabiosa (Scabious) is a genus containing several annuals which 

 produce a fine effect in beds and borders, whilst the handsome 

 heads of flovyers are much prized for vases and bouquets. If 

 sown in February under glass and again in March or April in 

 the open border, the plants will flower the same year; it is 

 however, often treated as a biennial by sowing in May or June, 

 for flowering early the following summer. S. atropurpurea has 

 deep crimson flower-heads, and is sweetly scented. It grows 

 from 2ft. to 3ft. high, and flowers in July and August. There 

 are numerous varieties, some with double, and others with single 

 flowers in various shades of crimson, purple, and yellow. 

 Then there are forms with distinctly margined foliage as well 

 as those with flowers both margined and sheathed. S. atro- 

 purpurea, as well as being grown extensively for the embellish- 

 ment of the outdoor flower garden, is also sometimes cultivated 

 in pots for flowering in winter. For this purpose seed 

 should be sown during early summer, and the young plants 

 potted off singly when large enough, and housed in a cool 

 frame. 



Silenes (Catchflies) are free-flowering annuals, suitable for 

 growing in beds, borders, or on rockwork ; for spring gardening 

 they are of great value. If required for' spring gardening the seed 

 should be sown early in autumn, and for general summer decoration, 

 March or April is the best time to sow. S. pendula is a species 

 growing ift. high and producing an abundance of bright rose- 

 coloured flowers ; the variety compacta is one of the best and most 

 useful of the annual Silenes, forming tufts not more than 6in. high, 

 smothered with numerous bright pink flowers; a white variety is 

 also in cultivation. 



Sphenogyne speciosa, now known as Ursinia pulchra, is a 

 showy annual of dwarf, spreading habit, with rich golden-yellow 

 Marguerite-like flowers. It grows from 6in. to ift. high, and forms 

 a charming plant for beds and borders, and is also useful for 

 cutting. 



Venus' Looking Glass {Specularia Speculum) is a pretty 

 free-flowering annual, suitable for beds or for rockwork. It 

 grows ift. high, and in July is covered with bright purple 

 bell-shaped flowers, somewhat resembling those of a Campanula. 

 It is one of the showiest of our hardy annuals. There is also 

 a white variety in cultivation. 



Veronica syriaca is a dwarf hardy species, growing 6in. 

 high, and bearing bright blue flowers. It is best sown in 

 autumn for spring flowering. The variety alba is also 



