EVERLASTING FLOWERS 



23 



T J ,ft. to 2ft., and carrying globular flowers of white, rose, flesh, purple, and dark red shades. 

 Statice tatarica is a perennial, and quite hardy, rather more than a tout high, and 

 producing large spikelcts of small ruby-red flowers. It is very light and graceful, and does 

 well in any light loam. 



Everlasting flowers have, since in rich abundance the simple and beautiful hardy 

 perennials have altered the face of English gardens, received little attention. Late Chrysan- 

 themums, early bulbous flowers, and exotics of the greenhouse and stove contribute to the 

 indoor decorations, but w here the garden is innocent of any glass structure, then the flowers 

 of the Everlastings are welcome. Many of them are very bright in colouring, and, rightfully 

 used, are effective in the border. It is a mistake to neglect this interesting race, especially 

 if winter decorations are desired either in the church or house, although we care little for 

 them when used upon the table. In forming letters and designs for the Christmas festival 

 they are invaluable, being bright, and, of course, only losing their colouring when coated 

 with dust. 



The Rhodanthes are, it must not be forgotten, amongst the most charming of all the 

 Everlastings. In gardens of any size, or in w hich plants in variety are grown in the green- 

 house, these delightful flowers are planted freely, so much so that in many market gardens 

 their culture is of considerable importance. The seeds are also so easily raised that an 

 amateur with little convenience may grow a large number of plants. 



One must also include amongst the Everlastings the pearly Everlasting (Antennaria 

 margaritacea), w hich is, apart from the chaffy character of its white flowers, a pleasing rock" 

 or border plant. The annual Australian Wait/ias and the famous Edelweiss (Gnaphalium 

 Leontopodium) may also be classed amongst the Everlasting flowers, and their dried blossoms 

 used in a similar way to those of the more widelv-known " Everlastings." The woollv 

 flower-heads of the Edelweiss could be used in little decorations, partly for their greyish colour 

 and partly for their pleasant associations. It is an Alpine very easily grown, yet so main- 

 fail with it, generally because the roots are taken from their mountain heights to the rock- 

 garden at home. Under such circumstances they are certain to fail, but raised from seed, or 

 each year divided, the results are gratifying. Some variation occurs amongst the seedlings, 

 the flower-heads being bolder in some forms than in others. 



The finer Everlastings should be planted in the reserve garden, that portion devoted 

 simply to the culture of flowers for cutting, or they may be grouped in the mixed border. 

 Notes of culture are given in the following list of a few of the principal families, these being 

 the Helichrysums, Rhodanthes, and Xeranthemums : 



Catananelie CCerulea. — This is an Everlasting, for the Rhodanthes. — If everlasting flowers must be restricted to 

 reason that its flowers may be preserved during the winter one kind only, then choice should be made of Rhodanthe 

 in their natural colours. It is a hardy perennial from Manglesi. One may well supplement the introductory 



Southern Europe, and seems to prefer a warm, fairly rich notes to this group by giving ths culture of this delightful 



soil, whilst it is easily raised from seed in the spring. half-hardy annual Everlasting and its variety in detail. 



When in vigour this is a very pretty plant, the flouers When the plants are to be grown for the open garden the 



large and clear blue, as their specific name indicates. seed should be sown in March, and the seedlings thinned 



The variety bicolor is blue and white, and there is a out until about half-a-dozen plants remain in the pot, 



white form also, but the clear self blue is more charming which should be Sin., or "forty-eight," in size. Harden 



than either. oft the seedlings thoroughly before trans r erring to the 



Helichrysums. — These are the most valuable of all (he open, which should take place in -May. When, however, 



Everlastings grown usually in the open garden. They to be grown in pots, fill a shallow pan or pans with light 



possess decorative value out of doors, and when carefully soil in September, and give a temperature of about 



gathered and dried the flowers retain their beauty 55deg., not less. In the following March prick out 



throughout the winter. The Helichrysums are for the the seedlings I in. apart in 5in. pots, and when thoroughly 



most part natives of the Cape, and the species of greatest established give a little weak liquid manure. When thus 



importance is H. bracteatum, which is, however, an grown a profusion of bloom is the reward in spring. 



Australian flower, with a number of varieties. One may Throughout their season of growth a light position is 



obtain several colours, either in mixture or separately, as essential. 



mentioned above, and named kinds too, whilst there is a Xeranthemums are frequently used in winter decora- 

 dwarf-growing race. When the Helichrysums are grown tions. Their culture has been considered. It only 

 for winter vases and bouquets, obtain the finest named remains to mention that they come from Southern 

 varieties, such as Orange and Silver Globe and the Europe, and X. annuum is the species in greatest 

 crimson-coloure I Fireball. These are bolder and hand- favour, whilst the variety superi-issimttm is an improve- 

 somer than those obtained from an ordinary packet of seed. ment upon the parent. 



