HAKDY AND HALF-HARDY ANNUALS, 



387 



happy as when beside streams that now and then over- 

 flow. 



Richardia athiopica. — This plant grows well either in 

 a dry border or in shallow or even deep water with its 



Fig. 4P4.— Cypripedium spectabile. 



roots and stems entirely submerged. In Cornwall and 

 S. and W. Ireland it grows and flowers freely in the open 

 air, and watery places are profitably utilized to grow the 

 white spathes by the thousand for the English flower 

 market. 



Rodgersia podophylla. — A very striking saxifragaceous 

 plant from Japan. Its large five-parted leaves open a 

 rich bronze colour ; it also bears tall feathery spikes of 

 Meadow-Sweet-like flowers 3-4 feet in height. 



Sarracenia purpurea. — All the Sarracenias are hardy 

 in sheltered places, but this is one of the best for growing 

 in the open air, where its curious pitchers colour well. 

 It does well in peat and living sphagnum moss. Its ally, 

 Darlingtonia californica, does well here and there in 

 favourable situations. 



Saxifraga Fortunei. — A distinct white-flowered kind 

 with dark rounded leaves. Does best amongst wet stones 

 in a half-shady spot. 



S. peltata. — This is very handsome as seen growing on 

 wet rocks or damp promontories near water-level. Its 

 peltate leaves are often 2 feet across on stalks 3-5 feet 

 long. It bears naked spikes of rosy flowers in spring, and 

 its foliage colours well in the autumn. 



Spiraea. — Nearly all the herbaceous kinds grow well 

 near water, of which habit our native " Meadow Sweet ", 

 both single and double flowered, is an example. 



S. palmata (fig. 485), with deep rosy flowers, S. elegans, 

 S. gigantea, and others, never grow or look so much at 

 home as when planted near water. 



SYMPLOCABPUS/eefo'cfofrS (Skunk Flower). — An Arum with 

 large leaves suggesting those of Lilium giganteum. May 

 be naturalized in damp woods, &c. 



Trollius (Globe Flower). — The native T. europceus is 

 at home by the side of a stream or near the margin of a 

 lake, and is effective for several months in summer when 

 bearing its large Buttercup-like yellow flowers on stalks a 

 foot or more high. T. acaulis and T. asiaticus are also 

 good plants for moist situations. [~f. W. B.l 



CHAPTER XXYI. 



HARDY AND HALF-HARDY ANNUALS. 



The question is often asked, What is the 

 meaning of the terra annual as applied to the 

 flowers we cultivate 1 ? The most convenient and 

 perhaps the most correct answer is, A plant 

 which within a period of twelve months grows 

 from seeds, flowers, and in its turn produces 

 seeds and then dies. 



Some plants which are treated in the garden 

 as annuals, are naturally either perennials oi 

 biennials. Conditions of cultivation, and the 

 uses to which they are put, determine, however, 

 their terra of existence. 



Soil. — Annuals should be sown in a light 

 rather than a heavy soil, although such strong- 

 rooting subjects as Sweet Pea, Nasturtium, 

 Lupin, Convolvulus, and others are more at 

 home in a somewhat heavy soil. It should be 

 deeply dug and well pulverized, the roots of 

 many annuals travelling much deeper in the 



Fig". 485.— Spiraea palmata. 



ground than is generally supposed. It should 

 also be rich, in order that there may be a vigor- 

 ous growth and a fine and continuous display of 



