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PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS myosotidium 



O. Lucilise. — A handsome perennial 

 4-6 in. high native of Asia Minor and the 

 Greek mountains. Leaves glaucous-green, 

 bluntly ohlong, lower ones narrowed into 

 a long stalk, the stem ones sessile, the 

 uppermost of all being ovate. Flowers in 

 summer, broadly funnel-shaped, beautiful 

 lilac-blue, ^-| in. across. 



Cultv/re amd Propagation. — This 

 species flourishes in the rock garden but 

 must have weU-drained sandy soil in 

 warm sunny positions. It is apt to 

 suffer from stagnant moisture in winter, 

 and also slugs. Increased by seeds or 

 division in spring. 



O. verna (Cynoglosswm Omphalodes). 

 Creeping Forget-me-Not. — A beautiful 

 S. European perennial about 6 in. high, 

 with creeping shoots, and stalked ovate 

 heart-shaped or lance-shaped leaves. 

 Flowers from March to May, blue with a 

 white throat, less than 4 in. across, in 

 few-flowered racemes. There is a white - 

 flowered variety named alba. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 vernal species is suitable for the rockery 

 or border, and may also be used for wild 

 gardening near the edges of walks &c. It 

 likes sandy loam, and may be increased 

 by dividing the tufts in early autumn, so 

 that the plants may become established 

 before winter and be ready for flower in 

 spring. Its underground creeping stems 

 enable it to rim over the soil rapidly. 



CYNOGLOSSUM (Hound'sTongub) 

 is a closely related genus of rather coarse 

 tall - growing biennials or perennials 

 scarcely suitable for the flower garden, 

 but may be utilised in rough parts, as the 

 flowers of some are pretty. They are easily 

 inbreased by seed in spring. 



LINDELOFIA. — A genus contain- 

 ing only one species : — 



L. spectabilis (Cynoglosswm longi- 

 iioriim). — A rather showy perennial 1-1^ 

 ft. high, native of N.W. India, with long- 

 stalked oblong pointed lower leaves, the 

 upper ones being heart-shaped and stem- 

 clasping. Flowers from May to August, 

 sky-blue or purplish in drooping clusters. 

 Calyx deeply 5-lobed. Corolla tube 

 cylindrical, protruding in the form of 

 scales around the throat, lobes 5, obtuse, 

 spreading. Stamens 5, protruding. Ovary 

 distinctly 4-lobed. Nutlets 4. The plant 

 known in gardens as L. longifolia is the 



same as this, although it has been spoken 

 of as if it were a distinct species. 



Culture and Propagation. — This 

 species thrives in sandy well-drained loam, 

 and may be grown in the border in sunny 

 places. A warm chalky soil also suits it 

 perfectly, but it is almost sure to fail in a 

 cold wet one. It may be increased by 

 seeds sown in spring, but the seedlings will 

 not flower until the following year. The 

 old-established plants may also be divided 

 in autumn. 



MYOSOTIDIUM (Antarctic or 

 Nkw Zealand Forget-me-not). — This 

 genus contains only one species : — 



M. nobile. — A beautiful herbaceous 

 perennial about li ft. high, native of the 

 Chatham Islands, with large fleshy 

 roundish heart - shaped shining plaited 

 leaves on long deeply channelled stalks. 

 Flowers in spring, salver-shaped or rotate, 

 about i in. across, beautiful rich blue with 

 a white margin, borne in dense corymbose 

 cymes at the end of a leafy stalk about 

 2 ft. high. There is also a form with 

 white flowers. 



Although introduced more than 40 

 years ago to cultivation, this fine plant 

 still defies most gardeners to grow and 

 flower it successfully. Here and there it 

 has been grown well for a short period, 

 after which it has relapsed as it were into 

 a sulky humour, refusing to grow except 

 in a half-hearted kind of way. Although 

 a true perennial with a thickish rootstoek, 

 it can be grown out of doors only in the 

 mildest parts of the country. In less 

 favoured spots it is grown in a greenhouse 

 except during the summer months. 



Culture amd Propagation. — It is 

 easily raised from seeds, especially if the 

 latter are fairly fresh. A very sandy 

 loam, with a little peat and leaf mould, 

 seems to be the most suitable soil for it, 

 and thorough drainage is also essential. 

 With the very best treatment under glass 

 in cold frames or greenhouses, the 

 strongest plants may bloom about 18 

 months after the seeds have been sown, 

 and if in good condition cannot fail to 

 excite admiration. After flowering the 

 plants may be kept in a cool light and 

 airy place, so as to recover from the 

 strain. Watering must be carefully 

 regulated and given only when the plant 

 is really in need of it. The soil in a 

 sodden condition soon proves injurious if 

 not fatal. 



