HARDY HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS. 



373 



Sarracenia. — S. purpurea, the hardiest of the North 

 American Pitcher-plants, is remarkable as well as hand- 



ing. 462.— Saxifraga apiculata. 



some, its leaves being hollowed out like a horn, blood-red, 

 and about 10 inches long. A good plant for the bog 

 garden, where it should be planted in peat, with a layer 

 of living sphagnum about it to keep it moist. It does 

 not often flower in the open air. S. flava and S. vario- 

 laris may be grown outside in the warmest parts of this 

 country. 



Saxifraga. — An invaluable genus for the alpine and 

 rock garden, the large-leaved species, such as S. cordata, 

 S. crassifolia, and S. ligulata, being useful for the border. 

 8. Stracheyi flowers so early that it is apt to be injured 

 by frost. It has thick contorted stems, large ovate fleshy 

 leaves, and big clusters of handsome flowers. Is happy 

 when planted about large stones. The crusted species 

 grow best when fully exposed to sunshine and with plenty 

 of grit and stones, and for some species chalk mixed with 

 the soil. S. Burseriana, with its varieties major and 

 macrantha, are among the best of early -flowering plants. 

 They are often in flower in January. S. oppositifolia 

 and varieties are other early-flowering gems. A sure and 

 •easy method of increasing these Saxifragas is to make 

 cuttings of the tiny rosettes or branches, and plant them 

 in pots of very sandy soil, keeping them moist and shaded 

 for a few days. The Mossy section, which is more valu- 

 able to us in winter on account of its carpeting character 

 and beautiful colouring, is best propagated by division 

 when the patches get worn in the middle, giving fresh 

 soil, and planting the little pieces firmly. Propagation 

 is effected also by seed, but the spike of flowers should 

 be covered with a light gauze -bag if intended for seed, as 

 cross-fertilization is easily effected by bees. 

 Encrusted Saxifragas. 



S. aizoon and vars. White, 6 inches. Northern regions. 



S. ccesia. White, 2 inches. Alps of Europe. 



S. cochlearis, var. minor. White, 3 inches. 



S. Cotyledon. White, in racemes, 18 inches. Europe (Britain). 



„ var. pyramidalis. Longer flower racemes. 



8. crustata. White, 6 inches. Alps of Europe. 

 S. longifolia. White, 1 foot. Pyrenees. 

 8. liocheliana. Snow-white, 2 inches. Eastern Europe. 

 S. valdensis. White, 2 inches. Piedmont, &c. 



Mossy Saxifragas. 

 S. ccespitosa. White, 3 inches. Northern regions. 

 S. decipiens. White, 3 inches. Europe (Britain). 

 S. Haworthii. White, 6 inches. Europe. 

 S. hypnoides. White, 3 to 4 inches. Europe (Britain). 

 S. Iratiana. Creamy-white, 3 inches. Pyrenees. 

 S. Maiveana. Large white, 4 inches. North Africa. 

 S. muscoides. Small white, 3 inches. Europe (Britain). 



„ var. purpurea. 



S. Wallacei. Large pure-white, 9 inches. Spain. 



Other Saxifragas. 

 S. apiculata (fig. 462). Sulphur-yellow, 4 inches. 

 S. Boydi. Lovely primrose-yellow, 3 inches. Garden hybrid. 

 S. Burseriana. White, 3 inches. Eastern Eurojje. 

 S. cordifolia. Pink, 1 foot. Siberia. 

 S. crassifolia. Pink, 12 to 18 inches. Siberia. 

 S. oppositifolia. Purple-rose, 2 inches. Northern regions. 

 S. pseudo-sancta. Yellow, 2 inches. Thrace. 

 S. sancta. Bright-yellow, 2 inches. Macedonia. 

 S. Stracheyi (fig. 463). White, purple eye, 6 inches. Himalaya. 



Scabiosa. — Handsome border plants, with flowers in 

 heads on long naked scapes. They are useful for cutting, 

 lasting a long while in water. Almost any soil suits 

 them. Perhaps the best species is S. caucasica, which 

 has mauve-blue flower-heads sometimes 3 inches across. 

 Propagated by seeds or division. 



S. arvensis. Blue, 2 feet. Europe (Britain). 

 S. caucasica. Lilac-blue, 3 feet. Caucasus. 

 „ var. alba. Large white, 3 feet. 



S. graminifolia. Pale-violet, 1£ foot. South Europe. 



Fig. 463.— Saxifraga Stracheyi 



Scilla (Squill). — A charming genus of spring, summer, 

 and autumn flowering bulbs. They are best when planted 



