366 



THE GAEDENEE'S ASSISTANT. 



Michauxia. — A remarkable genus related to Cam- 

 panula. Two species are in cultivation, namely M. cam- 



Fig. 448.— Michauxia TKhlhatchewil. 



panuloides, usually treated as an annual, but sometimes 

 taking three or f«mr years to grow to flowering size. Its 

 stems are 3 to 5 feet high, and are clothed 

 with large white and purple flowers. Still 

 more striking is M. T&chihatchewii (fig. 44 s >. 

 which forms a pyramid 3 to 6 feet high, bear- 

 ing large caiunanulate white flowers. Both 

 species require a warm, sunny position, and 

 to be kept in stock by means of seeds. 



Molopospermum cicutarium is a stately 

 Umbellifer which grows to a height of 5 feet 

 or more, and has handsome fern-like foliage, 

 forming a graceful, irregular bush, excellent 

 for grouping purposes. It loves a deep moist 

 soil. Propagated by seeds or division. 



Monarda (Bergamot). — North American 

 plants of the Labiate family. M. didyma, the 

 best-known and most useful species, grows 

 well in any garden soil to a height of from 

 2 to 3 feet, has quadrangular stems and cor- 

 date fragrant leaves, and deep-scarlet flowers 

 in heads or whorls. There is a variety with 

 whitish flowers. Excellent plants for natura- 

 lizing. 



Morina hmgifdia. — A Thistle-like Himalayan plant, 

 related to Dipsacus. Its bright -green leaves form a 



rosette, from which arises the flower-stem, 2 to 3 feet in 

 height. The blossoms are white and rose-pink, tubular, 

 and surrounded by a spiny cup-like bract. The only safe 

 way of propagation is by seeds. 



Morisia hypogcea. — A charming little alpine, native of 

 Sardinia and Corsica. Its bright-yellow flowers, produced 

 in great profusion in spring and summer, contrast well 

 with the dark shining-green of the flat rosettes of much- 

 cut leaves. Suitable for rockery or pot cultivation Seedk 

 should be sown as soon as ripe. These often bury them- 

 selves in the soil, and seedlings spring up all round the 

 old plants. 



Muscari (Grape Hyacinth) (fig. 449). — Charming early 

 spring-flowering bulbs, with flowers mostly of different 

 shades of blue, on scapes 4 to 8 inches high. Excellent 

 plants for naturalizing, for edging borders, and also to 

 grow in pots. The bulbs are cheap, and so easily grown 

 and effective when in flower that it is a wonder they are 

 not planted in greater quantities. Increased by offsets, 

 which are freely produced, or by seeds for some of the 

 best varieties. 



M. botryoides. Blue, 1 foot. Europe. 

 M. conicum. Brilliant-blue, fragrant, 1 foot. 

 M. neglectum. Dark-blue, with white ring. Mediterranean 

 regions. 



Myosotidium mobile. — The Chatham Island Forget- 

 me-not. In South Cornwall it forms a Rhubarb-like clump 

 of cordate glossy-green leaves a foot high, and produces 

 large loose corymbs of blue and white flowers. Where it 

 finds congenial conditions it is a worthy garden plant. 

 Propagated by division. 



Myosotis (Forget-me-not). — There are several little 

 alpine gems in this genus, most valuable for the rockery 

 and bog garden. M. alpestris is a charming rockery plant, 

 with brilliant deep-blue flowers, thriving in moist, gritty 

 soil. There are several varieties of it, with white and 

 rose flowers. M. Rehsteineri loves a moist position, and 

 when once established it spreads rapidly. Propagated by 

 seeds. 



M. alpestris (f\g. 450). Light blue. Europe (Britain). 

 M. cce8pit08a, var. liehsteiaeri. Large sky-blue flowers, 4 inches. 

 Lake of Geneva 



Fig. 449.— Grape Hyacinths. 



Nierembergia rivularis, from Argentina, is the only 

 one of about twenty species which is hardy and worth 



