9 2 



FLORA AND SYLVA, 



ANCHUSA ITALICA (DROPMORE VAR.) • 



Having passed one's life almost among herbaceous plants, it seems much to say 

 that the finest plant we have ever seen of that class with blue flowers is this 

 form of A. italica^ which we first saw in the gardens at Dropmore. A plant 

 in our own ground, in deep recently-moved soil, was a fountain of handsome 

 blue flowers, and gave the best effect we had ever seen afforded by a blue hardy 

 plant. It endured two years, and we hoped to propagate it from seed or in other 

 ways, and that the plant would prove perennial, but it perished after an immense 

 production of flowers. We hope, however, it may be propagated by somebody 

 for general culture. We thought it might have been identified as a new species, 

 as it is certainly distinct from the old form common in gardens ; but at Kew 

 they could make nothing of it except a form of A. italica, which is, however, 

 quite distinct from this as a garden plant, and it may be a fine seedling form. In 

 any case it is a plant which should not be lost sight of. It belongs to an order 

 in which there are many beautiful plants, of which it is by far the finest in effect. 

 If one could get enough of it, it would be most admirable for grouping 

 among tall plants, and in growing for cutting for the house, as its effect is so 

 cool and good on hot days, having also a very long-continued period of flower. 

 The plant from which our drawing was made was 7 feet high, and as much 

 through. 



The best method of increase we know of is by root cuttings. This is a 

 much quicker way than from seed, and far more reliable. The work can only 

 be done in winter, or not later than March, and consists of taking pieces of 

 roots an inch long or thereabouts and inserting them in sandy soil in pots. 

 The largest roots may be cut in halves lengthwise, or even quartered, as the new 

 growth emerges from the outer portion. In a few weeks the shoots appear on 

 the roots, and, when a good growth has been made, the young plants may be 

 treated as seedlings and eventually planted out. 



The only other kind of this family which is hardy and useful is the A. 

 sempervirens — a neglected plant, but, while not in its best place in the choice 

 flower garden, very pretty and useful in the wild garden, or running about in a 

 shrubbery or banks and hedgerows. It is very free in growth, and its blue 

 flower is very pretty. It is a native or naturalised plant in some waste places, 

 but it is very easy to obtain, and easily increased by division, being a true 

 perennial. 



E. H. J. 



* With coloured plate from a drawing by H. G. Moon. 



