332 



CASSELL'S POPULAR GARDENING. 



Primrose coming to us from great elevations on the 

 Himalayas (12,000 feet or more). The flower-heads 

 are three inches across. It is a fine species, and 

 deserves and will repay some extra care on the part 

 of cultivators. It should he grown on exposed 

 situations as far as sunshine is concerned, but 

 should he sheltered from our capricious winds. This 

 statement will he sufficient to suggest that the most 

 suitahle positions will he those in which protection 

 from piercing winds will he secured for it. The 

 leaves are larger than those of F. denticidata, to 

 which species it is allied. 



* Frimuia rosea (Rosy Primi'ose). — One of the 

 choicest gems of the family. AVe shall never forget 

 seeing some fine clumps of it on Mr. Elwes' rockery 

 near Cirencester, where it grows more vigorously 

 than we have seen it elsewhere. The flowei*s grow 

 in somewhat the same fashion as the Polyanthus, 

 but their colour is a soft rosy-pink. It does host in 

 a hoggy situation, and though not very particular, 

 except that it resents dryness at the root, we should 

 advise its being planted in the shade, where it would 

 have plenty of moisture. It is easily raised from 

 seed, and we have some seedlings in which the 

 characters of F. rosea and F. Japonica are curiously 

 mingled, "We are of opinion it will prove a most 

 useful pai-ent of interesting hybrids. It is a native 

 of the Himalayas, and is readily increased by divi- 

 sion as well as from seeds. 



Fr'mnda scotica (Scotch Bird's-eye Primrose). — 

 This is a local form of F. far'mosa, than which it 

 has broader leaves, and shorter and broader lobes to 

 the corolla. These are differences of more import- 

 ance to the scientific botanist than the plant-grower, 

 who will be much more concerned to know that 

 F. scotica is a real native gem foimd almost exclu- 

 sively in Northern Scotland. It is very small, and 

 must consequently be gi'own with other small plants. 

 Its native habitat is on moist and boggy mountain- 

 slopes. On the rockery these natural conditions 

 must be secured for it, or it will not thrive, A top 

 dressing of cocoa-nut fibi-e kept about it in a moist 

 condition will conduce to its advantage, as it must 

 never be allowed to get dry at the roots. It pro- 

 duces seeds freely, and from these it may be ^-ery 

 readily propagated if they are sown directly they 

 are ripe. 



* Frimida Sicboldi (Siebold's Primrose) . — There are 

 many lovely varieties of ihis Primrose now in culti- 

 vation. It is often named in catalogues F. cortiisoides 

 amccna, but F. Sieholdi is its correct name. In many 

 respects it resembles F. cortusoides, but it is finer in 

 every way. It blooms early in April, and when in 

 vigour sends up a number of its lovely flowers, 

 which are borne on somewhat tall stems. A good free 

 soil in which there is abundance of vegetable matter, 



well drained, will suit it in almost any position ; but 

 as the flower-stems are somewhat brittle, it is better 

 to be so placed as to be secured from violent winds. 

 Easily propagated by diAdsion and from seeds. It 

 dies down annually, afld its position should be 

 plainly indicated by a conspicuous tally, and all 

 digging about it avoided. It comes to us from 

 Japan. 



Frimida sikhimensis (Sikkim Cowslip). — Imagine a 

 multitude of Cowslip-pips o^ the finest quality, each 

 depending from a long silken thread fastened to- 

 gether at the extreme end, and F. nikkimeiisis-will be 

 mentally visible. It is a plant of the finest quality, 

 and should be grown by every one, for it is hardy, 

 ornamental, and distinct. It is a herbaceous peren- 

 nial, which makes some growers suppose, when un- 

 acquainted with its habit of annually dying down, 

 that they have lost it. A mixture of peat in the 

 soil seems to suit it, no doubt because it maintains a 

 more equable condition of moistm-e about the roots 

 than ordinary soil would do. It should have abund- 

 ance of water in the summer, and be placed in a 

 somewhat shady position. Propagated by division 

 early in spring, and from seeds, A native of 

 Sikkim. 



Frimula vulgaris [Common Primrose). — See FriinNla 

 acaidis, p. 330. 



Famoiidia pyrenaica (Pyrenean Riimondia). — This 

 little plant is allied to the Verbascums. It thrives in 

 sloping fissures of the rockery filled with a mixture 

 of peat and loam. It flowers in May and onwards. 

 Increased by seed. A native of the Pp-enees. It is 

 a capital plant for the frame, grown in pots filled 

 mtK peaty loam, the surface being covered with 

 fragments of sandstone. 



* FanuncidHs amphxicaidis (White Buttercup). — A 

 most beautiful plant bearing white flowers, of much 

 delicacy of appearance, in April and May. Not 

 particular as to soil or position, but it will grace any 

 position in which it is placed, and leaf -mould suits it 

 perfectly. Propagated by di\dsion of its fleshy roots. 

 Native of the PjTenees. 



* Fanuncidus montanus (Mountain Buttercup). — 

 This bears fine flowers, paler in colour than our 

 Common Buttercup. It grows in compact clumps, 

 which spread but slowly. Propagated by division. 

 Native of many parts of Europe. 



Sanguinaria canadensis (Blood-root). — A hardy 

 tuberous-rooted plant, producing soHtary pure white 

 flowers, nearly two inches in diameter, in spring. 

 Situation, somewhat shady; soil, rich but well 

 di-ained. Propagated by division. A native of 

 North America, where it is found most frequently in 

 the more open parts of woods. 



* Sapo)iaria ocymoides (Rock Soapwort). — As this 

 is a very floriferous plant, it is a welcome denizen of 



