HERBACEOUS ELOWEES. 



81 



Commelina tuberosa. — A Mexican plant, whose tuberous 

 roots may pass the winter outdoors, if sufficiently covered 

 with litter and leaves. Some take them up every autumn, 

 while others raise fresh plants from seed, on a hotbed, 

 every spring. The bright azure-blue of the flowers has 

 a pretty effect when grown in large patches, or in beds. 



Cranesbill — Geranium, of many species. — The Cranes- 

 bills which will live with us as perennial border plants, 

 though pleasing, are not sufficiently handsome to show 

 cause why they should not be transferred from the gar- 

 den to the shrubbery. One, the blotched-leaved gera- 

 nium, has been recommended as a' fodder-plant for cattle. 

 Propagate by root-division. 



Crowfoot. — See Ranunculus, in Tuberous Flowers. 



Daisy (Double) — Bellis perennis. — There are Quilled, 

 Double, and Proliferous or Hen-and- Chicken Daisies, of 

 various shades of white, pink, and crimson. In Flanders 

 and Germany, some trouble is taken to raise new varie- 

 ties from seed, and collections of Daisies are formed. 

 They are useful plants for making edging or small gay 

 beds in spring ; nor are they to be despised when grown 

 in pots or boxes. Propagate by root-division, — an opera- 

 tion which should be performed every autumn, to insure 

 fine and abundant flowers. 



Dielytra spectabilis. — Introduced by Mr. Fortune from 

 China, in 1846, and alone well worth the journey thither. 

 A beautiful plant, with bright green, divided leaves, suc- 

 culent, semi-transparent stems, and pendant pink and 

 white flowers of singular form, on beholding which a 

 London man-cook was in ecstasies, because they were, 

 in shape, something like a turbot ! Perfectly hardy in 

 our severest winters ; likes a good hazel loam ; desirable 

 either for pots, beds, or borders. Forces well Pro- 

 pagate by root-division. 



Escholtzia Calif or nica—K. hardy plant whose intro- 

 duction caused a great sensation amongst gardeners. Its 

 bright-yellow flowers contrast strikingly with the deep- 

 cut glaucous foliage. JEJ. crocea is a darker, saffron- 

 tinted species, — or variety. Some plants display addi- 



