HERBACEOUS PLANTS IN THE OPEN 47 



Doronicums frequently give winter flowers. 



Gentiana acaulis also. 



Ltthospermum prostratum and L, rosmarinijolium. — 

 Beautiful rock shrubs, the latter seldom without exquisite 

 blue flowers. Both are rather tender. 



Myosotis dissitiflora, — The earliest forget-me-not. In 

 some gardens well in flower during February or earlier, 

 in others much later. Sow annually in May, and plant 

 in flowering quarters in autumn. 



Periwinkles, Pansies, Tufted (Violas). 



Polygala Chamaebuxus. A small shrub, with yellow 

 flowers, and in the variety atropurpurea with crimson and 

 yellow colouring. Flowers in late autumn and winter in 

 Edinburgh. Very suitable for rock gardens. 



Primroses. — If these are divided in August and well 

 watered, earlier flowers are often produced than from 

 those left undisturbed. Seedlings should be plentifully 

 raised, as they also tend to flower earlier. 



Primulas. — Several species as P. denticulata and P. 

 nivalis (of gardens). 



Violets. — The fragrant single-flowered Russian is 

 often in advance of all others with its winter flowers. 



A Cape aquatic — Aponogeton distachyon — is frequently 

 in flower during winter at the Royal Botanic Garden, 

 Edinburgh. It grows in an open pond, which, how- 

 ever, is partially fed by natural warm springs. The 

 flowers are white and hawthorn-scented. 



