HARDY SPRING FLOWERS. 



recommended for spring bedding. The last- 

 named is suitable for edging medium-sized to 

 large beds. They succeed in ordinary soil, may 

 be increased by division after flowering, and 

 transplant readily. 

 Dactylis glomerata (Cock's-foot grass). — The 

 variegated form of this is perfectly hardy and 

 well adapted for either spring or summer bedding. 

 It attains a height of 8 inches, and may be used 

 either for edging purposes or as a groundwork for 

 taller-growing plants. In the autumn lift from 

 the beds, divide, and replant where it is to remain 

 all the winter, surrounding the roots with a little 

 rich soil. 



Dodecatheon (American Cowslip). — This pretty, 

 moisture-loving section of the great primula 

 family is very attractive during the late spring 

 months. Those most generally grown are D. 

 integrifolium, the North American species, height 

 9 inches, flowers rosy crimson ; and D. Meadia, 

 height 9 inches, flowers purple and lilac, with the 

 varieties, D. M. giganteum, and I). M. Jeffreyi. 

 Either a peaty soil, or a mixture of loam leaf mould 

 and sand suits them, and division should take 

 place in the autumn. Move from the beds with a 

 good ball of soil about the roots, and replant in a 

 cool position . 



Doronicum (Leopard's Bane). — The doronicums are 

 not often seen bedded out, but two of the species 

 are in every way worthy of a trial. These are D . 

 austriacum, Europe, height 12 to 18 inches, 

 flowers yellow, spring; and D. plantigineum, 

 Western Europe, height 2 to 3 feet, flowers 

 yellow ; spring ; of easy culture. Divide after 

 flowering, and plant in ordinary garden soil. 



Euonymtjs radicals variegata. — This belongs to 

 the Japanese section of euonymuses, and is per- 

 fectly hardy, as well as effective all the year 

 round. It is of a neat habit of growth, and can 

 be kept compact by clipping. Leaves small and 

 silver variegated. Easily increased by cuttings, 

 short and firm, under hand-lights in the summer, 

 or in heat in spring, using a mixture of loam, 

 leaf soil, and sand. 



Gentiana (Gentian). — G. acaulis, commonly termed 

 gentianella, is remarkably effective as an edging 

 plant or massed in a small bed. It is to be found 

 in the Alps and Pyrenees, and the prevailing 

 colour, varying slightly in the different forms, is a 

 rich blue. Height 6 inches ; flowering season 

 April to June. G. verna, a British species, is also 

 used as a bedding plant, and only grows to a 

 height of 4 inches ; colour azure blue ; flowering 



season April and May ; should have a sunny posi- 

 tion and a deep, moisture-holding, loamy soil. 

 Does not transplant well. Increased by division 

 just when growth commences in the spring and by 

 seeds, sowing these in well-drained pans filled 

 with sandy loam, and covering very lightly. 

 Place the pans in a cold frame, and do not be in 

 a hurry to throw away the soil, as the seeds are 

 very slow in germination . Transplant the seed- 

 lings when small in boxes filled with sandy loam, 

 and keep them in a cold frame till the plants are 

 large enough for the open ground. 

 Hedera (Ivy). — Any of the moderately strong-grow- 

 ing ivies may be used for either edging or 

 carpeting beds, keeping them pegged down. 

 " Tree " ivy, Hedera helix arborescens, forms neat 

 sturdy bushes, and the golden form, H. aurea 

 maculata, if planted in poor soil, retains its rich 

 colouring fairly well. This is usually grafted on 

 commoner species, and healthy young growths of 

 it and other ivies, duly shortened to 6-inch 

 lengths, and firmly fixed in good soil in a cool 

 position during the autumn, strike root readily. 

 They can also be rooted in gentle heat in the 

 spring. 



Hepatica triloba. — This species of old-fashioned 

 flowers belongs to the anemone fa mil y and is 

 frequently termed Anemone Hepatica. There are 

 several distinct forms, the best of which are alba, 

 pure white ; coerulea, double and single, blue ; 

 rubra, reddish pink, double ; and Barlowi, sky 

 blue. Height 6 inches, flowering season February 

 to April. They succeed the best in partially cool 

 2">ositions and either a peaty soil or a mixture of 

 loam, leaf soil, and sand. Increased by division 

 after flowering, taking care to well fix the 

 divisions and to keep them cool and moist. Seed 

 sown in July and August in pans and placed in 

 cold frames will germinate in gentle heat during 

 the following spring. Transplant the seedlings 

 in larger pans, and when large enough plant out 

 in a cool position. 



Helleborus. — H. niger, the Christmas Eose, of which 

 altifolius maxima, and augustifolius, are distinct 

 forms, flower freely in the open during January 

 and February, sometimes lasting much longer. 

 All are white in colour. H. colchicus, the Lenten 

 Eose, grows to a height of 18 inches and produces 

 bright purple flowers during February and March. 

 They should be prepared in a deep, rich, freely 

 worked loamy soil, division taking place after the 

 young leaves are fully developed. Seeds sown as 

 soon as ripe germinate freely in a cold frame. 



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