274 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING, 



Lathyrus is a large genus of the Pea family, and comprises 

 numerous perennial, as well as annual, plants. The perennials 

 are handsome climbers, suitable for growing over pyramids of 

 twiggy sticks in the mixed border, or for trailing over trellises, 

 verandahs, &c. Increased by seeds or by division. L. laiifolius 

 (syn. L. sylvestris platyphyllus) is the Perennial Pea. It grows 



from 5 ft. to 6ft. high, 

 and produces its flowers 

 from July to September. 

 They are of a bright rose 

 colour, and are much 

 valued for cutting pur- 

 poses. Several varieties 

 are also grown, including 

 albiis^ with white, and 

 splendens^ with rosy-car- 

 mine, flowers, borne in 

 large clusters. Z. rotii7i- 

 difolius grows i8in. high, 

 and has beautiful rose- 

 coloured flowers. It is 

 an excellent plant for the 

 rock garden or for stony 

 banks. 



LiATRis (Blazing Star) 

 is a genus of North 

 American plants, of easy 



Fig. ik8. — Liatris spicata. 



culture in 

 garden soil, 

 increased by 

 division. L. 

 158) is the 



any good 

 They are 

 seeds or by 

 spicata (Fig. 

 best of the 



genus, and produces long spikes of purple flowers during August 

 and September. It grows from ift. to 2ft. high, and forms 

 an excellent border plant. 



LiNARiAS are handsome annual and perennial plants, of easy 

 culture, suitable for front positions in the border. The peren- 

 nials are increased by seeds or by division. L. triorjiithophora 

 grows I Sin. high, and produces purple flowers with yellow 

 throats, generally three together, in a whorl, like three birds 

 perched on a spur. The flowering season is from June to 



September, 

 obtained will 



If seeds are sown early 

 flower the same summer. 



in spring, the plants so 



LiNUMS (Alpine Flaxes) are excellent plants for the border. 

 Propagated by seeds or by cuttings. L. pere7i7ie is the best of 

 the genus, light and elegant in habit, and very effective, whether 

 grown in mixed borders or in the rock garden. It reaches a 



