HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS. 



363 



Jasione (Sheep's Scabious). — A pretty little genus of 

 the Bell-flower family. Some of the species are annuals, 

 and several are difficult to keep through the winter. 



Fig. 442.— Incarvillea Delavayi. 



/. perennis is the best-known, and is a very pretty rock 

 plant, the heads of blue flowers lasting from the end of 

 June to August. It is about 1 foot in height, and is a 

 native of Central and South Europe. 



Lactuca. — A genus of Composite, only one of which 

 deserves mention here, viz. L. Plumieri, the Blue-flowered 

 Lettuce, a perennial about 5 feet in height, with striking 

 foliage, and much-branched heads of blue Chicory-like 

 flowers. A warm light soil suits it best. Increased by 

 seeds. 



Lathyrus (Pea). — The hardy perennial species of this 

 useful genus are very effective in the flower - border. 

 They have deep-feeding roots and dislike disturbance. 

 L. grandiflorns is an old favourite. Its large flowers are 

 rose-coloured, very effective, lasting a long time. These 

 perennial everlasting Peas are most conveniently grown 

 when trained over twiggy stakes, as they only want an 

 occasional tie after the stakes have been firmly fixed, and 

 soon form nice bushes. 



L. grandiflorus. Bright-crimson, 4 feet. South Europe. 

 L. latifolius (fig. 443). Rose, 5 to 7 feet. Europe. 



,, var. albus. White, 5 to 7 feet. 



L. rotundifolius. Red, 1£ foot. Orient. 

 L. Sibthorpii. Crimson-purple. Greece. 



Leontopodium (Edelweiss). — This essentially alpine 

 plant is valuable on account of the beautiful downy char- 

 acter of its leaves, arranged in star-like fashion beneath 

 the somewhat inconspicuous flowers. It requires a dry, 

 sunny, elevated position in the rock garden to develop its 

 true character. Easily raised from seeds. 



L. alpinum. White, 6 inches. Europe. 



„ var. japonicum. Larger flowers. Japan. 



Leucojum (Snowflake). — Allied to Galanthus, the 

 only botanical difference being the uniformity of the 

 perianth segments in Leucojum. The spring - flowering 

 L. vernurn requires a shady bank, but the summer-flower- 

 ing L. cestivum will thrive in full sunlight, and is the 

 tallest and most vigorous. L. autumnale requires a warm, 

 sunny position, and fairly deep sandy soil. Propagated 

 by offsets and seeds. 



L. cestivum,. White, 1 to 2 feet. Europe, &c, (Britain). 



L. autumnale. White. Mediterranean region. 



L. hyemale. White, 6 inches. Italy. 



L. vernum. White, 1 foot. Europe (Britain). 



Lewisia. — Not a well-known genus, although in suit- 

 able conditions not difficult to cultivate. Prefers a well- 

 drained position in the hottest part of the rockery, with 

 plenty of small stones and grit around the collar of the 

 plant, and plenty of moisture in the summer. Allied 

 to Calandrinia, and, like that genus, with fleshy roots 

 and leaves. Their flowers are large, generally white 

 in L. rediviva, which has small linear leaves, whereas in 

 L. Tweedei the radical leaves are from 2 to 3^ inches long. 

 Propagated by seeds or division. 



L. rediviva. White, 2 inches. California. 



L. Tweedei. Blush-pink, 6 inches. California. 



Fig. 443.— Lathyrus latifolius. 



Liatris. — Interesting pui'ple-flowered Composites, with 

 flower-heads arranged in long spikes. The leaves are 

 linear, and are beneath the flowers on the same stem. 



