28 



EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 



it into England less than twenty years ago, and it has been called 

 Dilytra, Didytra, and Diceiitra, which are its proper names. 



It seeds sparingly, but a white variety has been introduced, whether 

 from seed or from China, I know not. It multiplies rapidly by the 

 roots ; the foliage resembles that of a Pasony, and its flowers are rose 

 colored, tipped wdth white, and hang from long racemes. As a lawn 

 plant, for early spring and summer blooming, it is unsurpassed. 



Perennial Flax {Linu7n perefine), is a native from beyond the Missis- 

 sippi, and is beautiful in color and shape. Its flowers are celestial blue, 

 and they are very abundant. The plant continues in bloom all summer, 

 and is an addition to every garden. 



Missouri Evening Primrose ( (Enothera macrocarpa), also blooms all 

 summer; its flow^ers are a golden yellow, and the plant is dwarf inhabit, 

 but the flowers do not open until the sun's rays are declining. 



Petunias are half hardy Perennials, w^hich usually rank with Annuals 

 in the northern part of the United States. They are desirable for the 

 smallest plat of ground— as they grow luxuriantly and flower profusely. 

 They take front rank now, and their curious blotchings and veinings 

 render them very beautiful. The double varieties possess a spicy fra- 

 grance, and many of them are as beautifully striped and mottled as a 

 carnation. 



Columbines, Lychnis, French Honeysuckles, Phlox, Pinks, Achillea 

 and Campanula are all very beautiful, and if raised from seeds will 

 increase rapidly from the roots. 



The Perennial Larkspurs have received great additions to their num- 

 bers of late years, and are greatly improved in coloring and the size 

 of the flowers. The blue species possess the most perfect tints — vie 

 with the hues of a cloudless sky ! 



There are no directions needful for preparing the soil, or planting the 

 seeds, as they are given so fully in the previous chapter. 



October is the best month for dividing and transplanting the roots. 

 All perennial plants admit of dividing and transplanting, and it greatly 

 increases the size and beauty of the flowers, and enhances their colors. 



The roots of those kinds not found in the seed catalogues, can be 

 purchased at the florist's at slight expense, excepting the rarer kinds 

 and the novelties. 



Trees and Shrubs, and nearly all the so-called bedding-out plants, 

 are strictly speaking perennials ; yet the term is more particularly applied 



