ON HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS. 275 



height of i8in., and from June to August produces an abundance 

 of beautiful pale ' blue flowers of a shade of colour not often 

 met with. 



Lupinus (Lupin) is a genus of the Pea family. The 

 species form very effective border plants, with elegant racemes 

 of flowers, highly prized for cutting. Increased by seeds or by 

 division. L. nootkatensis is a handsome plant growing i8in. 

 high, and producing racemes of dark blue flowers, mixed with 

 purple, White, or yellow. Its flowering period is from May to 

 July. L. polyphyllus grows 3ft. high, and flowers from June to 

 September. The flowers are very showy, bluish-purple in colour, 

 and arranged in whorls on a handsome spike. Although one 

 of the commonest, it is one of the best of the Lupins, and 

 forms an excellent subject for the mixed border. ' The flowers 

 are also used for indoor decoration. 



Lychnis. — In this we have a genus of showy, free-flowering 

 subjects, of easy culture, suitable for the mixed border. Propa- 

 gated by seeds or by division. L. chalcedonica grows 3ft. high, 

 and produces large heads of dazzling scarlet flowers from June 

 to August. A white variety, and one with double flowers, are 

 also grown. L. coronaria grows from 2ft. to 3ft. high, and 

 during July bears red flowers, which are much prized for cutting 

 purposes. The varieties grandiflora and hybrida splendens are 

 well worth growing. L. Haageana grows ift. high, and flowers 

 from June to August ; it is a very showy plant, bearing large 

 scarlet flowers, 2in. across. Numerous varieties are now grown 

 with flowers embracing almost every shade of colour, from 

 brilliant scarlet to pure white; these are valuable subjects for 

 select positions in the mixed border or for beds. L, Viscaria 

 i splendens flore-pleno is one of the showiest of our dwarf hardy 

 I perennials, and suitable alike for the mixed border or for 

 1 forming beds in the flower garden. It grows from i2in. to i8in. 

 : high, and flowers from June to August ; the rich rosy-crimson 

 flowers are large and double, and closely arranged on erect wiry 

 stems, after the fashion of the flowers of a Stock. 



t- Malva moschata (Musk Mallow) is a favourite border 

 1 perennial, growing 2ft. high, and producing an abundance of 

 i fragrant rose-coloured flowers, ain. across. Its flowering period 

 ,|is from June to August. A white variety is also grown. These 

 jiare wonderfully effective border plants, and the flowers are 

 g suitable for cutting. Increased by seeds or cuttings. 



; Mimulus' (Monkey Flower). — In this genus are several 

 herbaceous perennials which delight in warm, damp positions, 

 and are deserving of culture in mixed borders, vases, or hanging 

 baskets. They are noted for their richly-marked and brightly- 



'xoloured flowers. Increased by seeds, cuttings, or division. 



<M. cardinalis is a profuse-flowering species, reaching a height of 



T 2 



