372 



THE GAEDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



Gentian-blue flowers, produced in early spring. Propa- 

 gated by division. 



P. arvernense. Deep Gentian-blue, 9 to 12 inches. 



P. mollis. Blue and mauve, 9 inches. Central Europe. 



P. saccharata. Rose and blue, 1 to l£ foot. Europe. 



Ramondia. — Hardy Gesneriads, with rosettes of 

 crinkled, leathery, hairy leaves and brilliant lilac-blue 

 or white flowers in early summer. They are of easy 

 culture in the rock garden in a moist, shady position, 



if planted in crevices of crumbling rock and soil, on ver- 

 tical surfaces, and where the sun's rays do not reach 

 them. R. pyrenaica (fig. 460) is the beat-known species, 

 and has dark -green leaves, with racemes of beautiful 

 lilac-blue flowers 6 inches high. There is also a white- 

 flowered variety. Propagated by division or seeds. 

 Native of the Pyrenees. 



Ranunculus. — The double forms of R. acris and 

 /.'. aconitifolius are well-known old-fashioned garden 

 plants, familiarly known as "Bachelors' Buttons" and 

 "Fair Maids of France". They flower earl}' in summer, 

 and are useful for cutting. There are a few dwarf alpine 

 species suitable for the rock garden. A moist, loamy 

 soil suits them, adding plenty of stones and grit for the 

 alpine members of the genus. R. Lyallii, one of the most 

 beautiful, requires peaty soil and shade in a sheltered 

 position. 



R. amplexicaulis. White, 3 inches. South Europe. 



R. anemonoides. White, pinkish tinge. 6 inches. Styria. 



R. graminem. Golden-yellow, 9 to 12 inches. Europe (Britain). 



R. Lyallii. White, large, fleshy, peltate leaves, 18 inches. 

 New Zealand. 



Rheum (Rhubarb). — Bold large-leaved plants, effec- 

 tive for half -wild places or near water, where the glossy 

 wrinkled foliage and tall flower-spikes are seen to the 

 best advantage. They like rich, deep soil, and will take 

 care of themselves after planting. R. officinale, a native 

 of Thibet, has very effective foliage, and it, with R. Emodi 

 from the Himalayas, and R. palmatum var. tanghuticum, 

 are good plants for isolating on lawns or near the shrub- 

 bery. They grow to a height of 6 feet. 



Rodgersia podophylla. — A Japanese plant, with 

 handsome bronzy foliage and creamy -white flowers 

 arranged in a panicle. It delights in a damp, sheltered, 

 partially-shaded position and peaty soil. Height 1\ feet. 



Romulea. — Bulbous plants, allied to Crocus, hardy 

 only in very favoured localities, on a warm, sheltered 



border. They can be perfectly grown in a cold frame. 

 The foliage is grass -like, and the bell -shaped flowers, 

 which are lilac, creamy, or rose, expand only when ex- 

 posed to full sunshine. 



R. Bidbocodium. Rose-purple, 4 inches. South Europe. 



,, var. pylia. Creamy-white. 



R. Linaresii. Bluish-purple, 3 to 4 inches. Europe, Asia 

 Minor. 

 R. rosea. Rose, 4 inches. South Africa. 



Rudbeckia. — Decorative plants for shrubberies, the 

 rougher parts of rockeries, and borders. They are also 

 effective in lawn-beds by themselves. Common garden 

 soil suits them. Increased readily by division or seeds. 



R. hirta (fig. 461). Yellow, 2 feet. North America. 



R. laciniata. Clear-yellow, 4 to 6 feet. North America. 



,, var. Golden Glow. Large double flowers, 6 feet. 



R. maxima. Large, yellow, black disk, 6 feet. Texas. 

 R. JSeivmanni. Orange, dark centre, 12 feet. North America. 



Salvia. — Most of the ornamental plants of this genus 

 are too tender for the open-air garden. A few, however, 

 are deserving of mention here, as they are easily grown, 

 and form compact bushy plants bearing an abundance of 

 pretty bright-coloured flowers. Suitable for the herba- 

 ceous border. Increased by seeds or division. 



S. argentea. White, ornamental foliage, 3 feet. Mediterranean 

 region. 

 S.hians. Deep-violet, 2h feet. Himalaya. 

 S. pratensis. Deep-blue, 2 feet. Europe (Britain). 

 S. virgata. Purplish-blue, 3 feet. Europe. 

 S. viscosa. Yellow, 3 feet. Syria. 



Sanguinaria canadensis ( Blood -Root). — A distinct 

 plant, with creeping fleshy roots, bearing annual leaves 

 about 6 inches high, and producing in May large white 

 Anemone-like flowers singly on stems as high as the leaves. 

 It grows w T ell under the shade of trees. The roots should 

 be planted in autumn in a place where they need not be 

 disturbed for several years. They are happiest in a bed 



Fig. 461.— Rudbeckia hirta. 



or border beneath loose - growing or deciduous shrubs. 

 Native of North America. 



Saponaria (Soapwort). — Plants of the Pink family, 

 suitable for the rockery. S. ocymoides is a charming, 

 compact-growing plant, bearing rosy-crimson flowers in 

 early summer. It thrives on old crumbling walls. 

 S. officinalis fl. pi. is an excellent plant for wild places, 

 having soft rosy -white flowers, most effective when 

 planted in the mass on banks or in rough places. 



S. ccespitosa. Pink, 1 to 2 inches. Pyrenees. 



S. lutea. Yellow, 2 inches. Europe. 



S. ocymoides. Rosy-crimson, a trailer. Eutope. 



S. officinalis fl. pi. Rosy- white, 1£ foot. Europe (Britain). 



