274 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Lathyrus is a large genus of the Pea family, and comprises 

 numerous perennial, as well as annual, plants. The perennials 

 are handsome climbers, suitable for growing over pyramids of 

 twiggy' sticks in the mixed border, or for trailing over trellises, 

 verandahs, &c. Increased by seeds or by division. L. lalifolhs 

 (syn. L. sylvestris platyphyllus) is the Perennial ' Pea. It grows 



from 5 ft. to 6ft. high, 

 and produces its flowers 

 from July to September. 

 They are of a bright rose 

 colour, and are much 

 valued for cutting pur- 

 poses. Several varieties 

 are also grown, including 

 albus, with white, and 

 sphndens, with rosy-car- 

 mine, flowers, borne in 

 large, clusters. L. rotun- 

 difolius grows- i8in. high, 

 and has beautiful rose- 

 coloured flowers. It is 

 an excellent plant for the 

 rock garden or for stony 

 banks. 



Liatris (Blazing Star) 



is a genus of North 



American plants, of easy 



culture in any good 



garden soil. They are 



increased by seeds or by 



division. L. spicata ;(Fig. 



158) is the best of the 



genus, and produces long spikes of purple flowers during August 



and September. It grows from ift. to 2ft. high, and forms 



an excellent border plant. 



Linarias are handsome annual and perennial plants, of easy 

 culture, suitable for front positions in the border. The peren- 

 nials are increased by seeds or by division. L. triornithophm 

 grows i8in. high, and produces purple flowers with yellow 

 throats, generally three together, in a whorl, like three birds 

 perched on a spur. The flowering season is from June to 

 September. If seeds are sown early in spring, the plants so 

 obtained will flower the same summer. 



Linums (Alpine Flaxes) are excellent plants for the border. 

 Propagated by seeds or by cuttings. L. perenne is the best of 

 the genus, light and elegant in habit, and. very effective, whether 

 grown in mixed borders or in the rock garden. It reaches a 



Fig. 158.— Liatris spicata. 



