I 12 



THE CENTURY BOOK OF GARDENING. 



distinct from tlit Welsh Poppy. It has handsome foliage, 

 and tall flower stems bearing delicate golden yellow 

 flowers fully 2in. across. M. Wallichi is a handsome 

 plant, the most imposing undoubtedly of the group, with 

 very large rich blue flowers, not a purple shade, but clear 

 pretty blue. Both this and the preceding kind are never 

 happier than when planted in a cool moist recess in the 

 rock garden where the soil is composed chiefly of peat 

 and there is a slight shade from midday sun. A group is 

 very imposing, the blue flowers amidst cool surroundings 

 gaining in beauty. Neither M. nepalensis nor M. Wallichi 

 are Poppyworts for every garden, but tliev should be 

 planted wherever the necessary conditions can be given. 

 Mertensia. — A beautiful family of plants, some better 

 known than others, and all suitable for the rock 

 garden. M. sibirica is the most charming of all, and is 

 quite hardy, succeeding in ordinary soil. The flowers 

 vary somewhat in colour, soft blue, however, the pre- 



salmon rose variety is Rosy Morn, but a packet of seed 

 saved from a good race will give many beautiful forms. Sow 

 the seed, without covering it with soil, as it is very fine, in 

 February, and prick off in the usual way, planting out in 

 May. Of course the common Musk and the larger variety 

 called Harrisons' are pretty window plants, indeed, better 

 fitted for this purpose than for the border. A shady 

 corner and plenty of moisture are the chief considerations. 



MirabiliS Jalapa. — This is the old Marvel of Peru, a 

 quaint border plant, bushy in growth, and bearing flowers 

 of varied colour from white to crimson. It is a good 

 plan to sow seeds under glass early in the year, much as 

 one would any half-hardy annual, and plant out very late 

 in May, but unless the climate is very mild, the black 

 roots must be lifted and stored during the winter in sand. 

 Plant out again when fear of frost is over. 



Monarda. — The best known of this group is the rich red- 

 flowered M. didyma (Bee Balm or Oswego Tea), which 



MUSCARIS. 



vailing tints, although there is a white variety named 

 alba. More frequently seen than this is the moisture- 

 loving Virginian, Cowslip (M. virginica), which appreciates 

 a light soil and shelter. This is always happiest in a 

 position which Trilliums and the like enjoy. If only one 

 kind be chosen, M. sibirica should be selected. 

 Mimillus. — This is the Monkey-flower, and to the family 

 belongs our common fragrant Musk (M. moschatus), which 

 enjoys a cool, moist, sheltered border out of doors. All 

 the Mimuluses require a moist place, such as by stream, 

 or in boggy recesses in the rock garden where they are 

 screened from the midday sun. M. cardinalis and M. 

 cupreus are brilliantly coloured, but it is the hybrids that 

 contribute so much brightness to the garden. The flowers 

 are of wonderful colours, crimson, scarlet, orange yellow, 

 and other hues laid upon the petals in blotches, or some- 

 times a variety is quite self, or may be a hose-in-hose kind 

 is obtained, in which one flower seems to be inserted into 

 another, such as one sees in the Polyanthus. A pretty self 



delights in a rather moist place, where Trilliums, 

 Primula rosea, and similar moisture-seeking plants are 

 happy. The flowers appear for several weeks in summer, 

 M. fistulosa is the next important kind, with flowers, how- 

 ever, of variable colour. These are the most handsome, 

 and will grow freely in the ordinary border, whilst the 

 way to increase them is by division of the roots. 

 Montbretias. — The Montbretias, which are now grouped 

 with the Tritonias, are natives of South Africa. They are 

 indispensable in the flower garden, providing a lovely 

 colour effect during the months of August and September 

 with their bright bloom scapes of orange red. The two 

 commonest kinds are M. Pottsi and M. crocosmioe- 

 flora, but there are several hybrids of later introduction, 

 of varying shades of yellow and red, that are equallv 

 adapted to garden culture. Montbretias may be considered 

 hardy, since they will stand 2odeg. of frost, unprotected, 

 even in heavy, damp soils. The young growth is 

 occasionally injured by the frost, and it is a good plan 



