41 



Centranthus Sibthorpii.— A pretty Valerian, 3 feet in height, and 

 bearing pink flowers during June and July. The perennial kinds of 

 Centranthus may be increased by dividing the roots in early autumn 

 or in spring ; by cuttings of the young growths or side-shoots in spring 

 or autumn under handlights ; and some also from seeds best sown 

 in autumn. 



Gypsophila paniculata plena. — A beautiful perennial forming 

 a dense, compact bush 2 to 3 feet high, which becomes covered with 

 small white blossoms during summer. Although this species can be 

 increased by dividing the thickish roots in spring, it is as a rule better 

 to raise the plants from seeds, sown thinly out of doors during April 

 and May, in a warm and not too sunny border in finely prepared soil. 

 By the end of September, after having been thinned out beforehand, the 

 young plants can be moved to their flowering quarters in the border. 



Erigeron speciosus superbus.— A showy North American perennial 

 about 2 feet high, and will grow in practically any soil. It has a 

 large and fine flower, of a violet purple colour with an orange-coloured 

 centre, which appears during June and July, and often later. It is 

 easily raised by division in spring or early autumn, and, to obtain the 

 best effect, should be planted in bold masses where possible. 



Astilbe Davidii.— A recently introduced and handsome addition to 

 our hardy perennials, about 4 or 5 feet high, with crimson-purple flowers 

 borne about July. Division of the roots is the best way of propagation. 



Campanula laetiflora. — The white form would suit here. It is 

 a vigorous Caucasian species, 2 to 6 feet high, flowering from July to 

 September and bearing its flowers in a loose panicle. Either seed or 

 division is had recourse to for propagation, and an occasional division 

 is necessary, as it quickly spreads. 



Gypsophila Rokejeka. — Growing from anything up to 5 feet this 

 bears freely of white flowers from September to the end of October. 

 Propagation as mentioned before for Gypsophilas. 



Seneeio pulcher. — One of the handsomest of perennial Senecios, 

 2 to 3 feet high, bearing in late autumn rosy-purple flowers 2 to 3 inches 

 across. It is hardy, but its beauty is often marred by frost and bad 

 weather. It rarely ripens seeds, but it is easily increased in spring 

 by cuttings of the roots, i inch long, pricked into pans of hght sandy 

 soil and placed on a greenhouse shelf. 



The plants in the border should be afforded a httle protection, if 

 possible, from frost, on account of their late flowering period. 



Betonica grandiflora.— A downy perennial, i to 2 feet high, native 

 of Caucasus and Siberia, with beautiful reddish-purple flowers borne in 

 liiany-flowered whorls in June and July, produced well above the 

 foliage. It is useful in sunny situations and easily increased and 

 renovated by dividing the crowns every second or third year in autumn 



or spring. 



Aquilegia chrysantha.— This tall and beautiful species endures 

 as a perennial where the other species perish, even on the stiff clays 

 of North London. It comes true from seed, which is most safely 



