164 HERBACEOUS PLANTS. 



soil of a Rhododendron-bed, where it will also find 

 congenial shade. In such a situation it will attain 

 wonderful size, and seldom fail to ripen the showy- 

 scarlet fruit. 



A. Dracontium, also hardy, is not so showy a 

 species, but is worth growing in a collection. 



There are many pretty exotic species, but none 

 have proved hardy with us. 



The Pachysandra. 



Tliis curious plant is of very easy culture, grow- 

 ing and flowering freely in any rich, damp soil. 



The flowers are greenish or purplish white, and 

 peculiarly scented. The foliage is coarse, deep green, 

 perennial. For covering the surface, this plant is 

 well adapted, though as especially ornamental it is 

 not to be recommended. 



The species is P. procumbens, a native of moun- 

 tains in the Southern States, and perfectly hardy. 



The variegated-leaved variety is very pretty, but 

 seems somewhat more tender than the species. 



The Dodecatheon. 



The " American Cowslip," or " Shooting Star," 

 is not uncommon in gardens. It is a singularly 

 elegant plant in the wild form, and some of the 

 seedlings raised in cultivation are among the hand- 

 somest of spring flowers. It grows in any rich, 

 moist soil, and is easily increased by seed or division. 

 In color the flowers vary from white to deep red 

 or purple. The species is D. Meadia. 



