HARDY SPRING FLOWERS. — RAISING VIOLAS. 



Polygala (Milkwort). — P. Chamfebuxus, known as 

 Bastard Box, a native of the mountainous parts 

 of Europe, height 6 inches ; flowers white, May 



Fig. 89. A Good Viola Cuttino. (Solid stem.) 



and June ; and P. C. purpurea, a form having 

 purplish leaves and dark brown flowers, are of a 

 compact, bushy habit of growth, and well worthy 

 of a place among spring bedding plants. Sunny 

 positions ; peaty or good garden soil, with leaf 

 soil and sharp sand freely added. Increased by 

 cuttings in sandy peat under a hand-light or cold 

 frame in the autumn. 

 Pyeethkum aureum (Golden Feverfew). — This well- 

 known summer bedding plant, if prevented from 

 flowering in the summer, may be pulled in pieces 

 and replanted in the autumn. It would then 

 serve to brighten up the beds during most winters, 

 or young plants could be had by sowing seed in 

 July. 



Santo lina chamjECYPakissus incana, usually abbre- 

 viated to S. incana, is a silvery leaved, neat- 

 growing plant, good alike for either summer or 

 winter bedding. It is suitable for edging and 

 carpeting small beds, succeeds in ordinary soil, 

 and is easily increased by division in the autumn 

 or spring ; or neat plants may be had by striking 

 cuttings in heat in the spring. 



Saxifbaga. — Several species of this large genus are 

 spring flowering, and good for bedding out. S. 

 cotyledon synonym pyramidalis, an Alpine species, 

 forms neat tufts of handsome leaves, and produces 

 large pyramidal spikes of white flowers in April 

 to June. Height I to 2 feet. S. granulata (so- 

 called from its grain-like roots) and the superior 

 double form, S. g. flore pleno, attain a height of 

 9 inches ; flowers white ; April and May. S. 

 umbrosa (London Pride) needs no description. 

 It grows well in smoky districts. Saxifrages are 



not particular as to soil or position. The first 

 and last named species are easily increased by 

 division, and every root grain of S. granulata will 

 develop into a plant. These should be planted, 

 somewhat thickly where they are to flower. 



Sempebvivum calcabeum, Synonym S. californi- 

 cum, is a handsome hardy house leek suitable for 

 the margins of flower bods, and for hardy carpet 

 beds generally. Increased by off-sets, which may 

 be grown thickly in ordinary garden soil till large 

 enough for the beds. 



Stachys LANATA. — This distinct species of hedge 

 nettle is of sturdy yet free habit of growth and 

 has large silvery woolly leaves, which render the 

 plant most suitable for edging large beds. "Will 

 grow in any soil, is perfectly hardy and easily 

 increased by division in the autumn or spring. 



Vinca minor. — Both the silver and golden variegated 

 forms of this, the lesser periwinkle, are suitable 

 for forming temporary edgings to large shady 

 beds or borders. They grow freely in ordinary 

 soil, and can be increased by division, cuttings of 

 firm wood, or by layering the points. Established 

 plants are amenable to clipping or pegging down, 

 and can, therefore, be kept in a neat condition. 



Viola. — For an effective display in April and May 

 onwards no better plants than the close-growing 

 floriferous violas can be found. Preference is 

 usually given to plants raised from cuttings. 

 The best cuttings (a, Fig. 89) are obtained from 



Fig. 90. Faulty Viola Cutting. (Hollow stem.) 



the succulent water-cress-like shoots that are 

 formed at the base of healthy plants, flowering 

 tops (6, Fig. 90) being taken only as a last resort. 



