42 



raised under glass, and the plant reaches a height of from 2 to 



^ ^Iryngium Spinalba. which has prominent silvery-blue flower- 

 heads usually at their best during July. Growing to a height of about 

 5 feet, it is easily propagated by seeds and root-cuttmgs 



Delphinium Brunonianum.-A fairly rare species, native of Tibet. 

 It is from I to ij foot high, and has light blue flowers with purple 

 margins and black centres, in June and July. It is easily increased 

 by seeds, division, or cuttings. _ x ^ u- i. 



Veronica virginica alba.-A North American species, 3 or 4 feet high, 

 bearing white flowers during July in spikes 6 to 10 inches long, usually 

 with several shorter ones from the axils. This species likes a rather 

 rich, Ught soil, and is increased fairly easily by division or seeds. 



The question, now, of selecting examples of plants for the front 

 row probably needs most consideration, but the foUowing are fairly 



typical : — 



Statice latifolia— Usually considered the finest of all the Statices, 

 it has wide-spreading flowering stems, bearing small purplish- 

 blue flowers, appearing about June. This species is best increased 

 by means of root cuttings. The plants should be hfted, certainly 

 not later than the end of October and sooner if possible, and the 

 healthy-looking roots cut into pieces about 2 inches long, with an 

 oblique cut at the lower and a straight one at the upper end. Insert the 

 cuttings perpendicularly in a cold frame, and quite 90 per cent, may 

 be relied upon to produce plants by spring. Although also increased 

 from seed, the seedUngs are prone to vary and deteriorate. 



Lychnis viscaria splendens plena.— This grows about i^ foot high, 

 with double rosy-red flowers, appearing about June, and is usually 

 propagated by seed and division. 



Veronica spicata alba. — ^A desirable native species, 6 to 18 inches 

 high, with white spikes of flowers in June, July, and August. It is 

 increased by division (and seeds ?). 



Nepeta Mussini. — This is an old border plant and considered by 

 many as not now worth a place in any border. It has, however, pretty 

 pale blue flowers in May, and continuing till September in blossom. 

 Its height is ij foot, and it is usually increased by division of the 

 root-stock. 



Geum coccineum ' Mrs. Bradshaw. ' — ^A really beautiful and recent 

 addition to this class of Geums, growing up to 3 feet in height, with 

 conspicuous scarlet flowers. The majprity, if not all Geums, come prac-, 

 tically true from seed, and the variety ' Mrs. Bradshaw ' is no exception. 

 They are also readily increased by dividing the crowns at planting 

 time either in autumn or spring. The seed is best sown in nursery 

 beds in April or May, or earlier under glass ; and if transplanted as 

 soon as large enough to handle, will make strong plants by the autumn. 



Lobelia syphilitica. — A variable species, of robust and hardy 

 constitution if grown on a free moist soil. It has blue flowers, and 



