HARDY FLOWERS. 



'37 



S. muscoides, of which atropurpurea is the best variety ; 

 and S. rotundifolia, which will succeed in almost entire 

 shade and where the surroundings are cool and moist. 

 It m iy be almost naturalised in cool chinks in the rock 

 garden, and the slender clusters of white flowers dotted 

 with pink are attractive. 



Large-leaved Saxifrages. — These are usually known as 

 Megaseas. and so nearly allied to the true Saxifrage that 

 they are placed here. They are handsome, the leaves 

 large, leathery, and in winter turn to charming tints ol 

 crimson and rose, or bronzy green. The plants will 

 succeed almost anywhere, and should be always grouped 

 in the rougher parts of the rock girden or in wilder 

 places where a mass of noble foliage is well seen. They 

 may also be planted with good effect by shrubberies. 

 Not only for their leafage, but also for their flowers, must 

 this family be commended. And the finer kinds are 

 worth growing in pots, as when the flowers appear very 

 early out of doors frosts usually cut them off. They may 

 be raised from seed or divided, and of the many forms a 

 good selection would be Coidifolia and its beautiful variety 

 purpurea, which has deep purple flowers, Crassifolia and 

 the rich rose-coloured variety orbicularis, ligulata and 

 the variety rubra, and the handsome 1'urpurascens, of 

 which the flowers are rose purple borne on slender 

 purplish stalks. Stracheyi is worth growing also, but all 

 the early-flowering varieties must have a sheltered corner. 



SeabiOSa CailCasiea is a beautiful perennial which 

 makes most vigorous growth upon well-drained, fairly 

 light soils, especially in the case of the variety alba. 

 The type has delicate bluish lilac flowers, a clear, pretty 

 shade, and grows about 3ft. in height, branching out 

 freely. Propagate by seed and root division. It varies 

 from seed, some forms being much finer than others. 



Sehizostylis COCCinea {Winter Gladiolus). — This is 

 like a late-flowered Gladiolus, hence its name, and in 

 well-favoured positions about 3ft. in height, the flowers 

 rich crimson in colour. It is the kind of bulb to plant 

 against a warm wall or fence where the soil is good and 

 not too dry, as it appreciates moisture but not stag- 

 nation at the roots. When severe weather arrives during 

 the flowering 

 time it is wise 

 to give protec- 

 tion, as the 

 crimson spikes 

 are useful for 

 cutt ng. Mixed 

 with white 

 Chrysanthe- 

 mums the spikes 

 are very bright. 



S eillas.— The 



Scillas are a 

 family compris- 

 ing nearly 

 eighty species of 

 bulbous plants, 

 the majority of 

 which need 

 glasshouse cul- 

 ture. A few are 

 hardy, but of 

 these only about 

 half the number 

 are worthy of 

 cultivation. They are spring bloomers, and may be left 

 alone for years after being once planted; the best known is 

 S. nutans, the Wild Hyacinth, appearing by millions in 

 our woods during April and May. Scillas may be propa- 

 gated by offsets, or may be raised from seed. The best 

 for the garden are the following : 

 S. amoena, from the Tyrol, carrying indigo blue flowers, 

 few in number, on weak stems about 6in. in height. It 

 should be grown in a sheltered spot or bank in the wild 

 garden. 



S. bifolia. — This is the earliest to flower of all the 

 Scillas, and in warm winters, in the South-West, often 



opens its blossoms in January. It comes from the 

 Mediterranean region, but it is quite hardy, the type 

 producing spikes of dark blue flowers sonic 6in. high. 

 There are many named varieties of this Scilla, some of 

 the best known being the white alba and Candida, the 

 pink carnea and rosea, the stronger-growing taurica and 

 maxima, and the early-flowering precox, all of which are 

 worthy of culture. A sunny and somewhat sheltered 

 position in the rock garden is best suited to its require- 

 ments. 



S. eampanulata or hispanica {Spanish Scilla), a 



strong-growing species from Spain, bearing spires of 

 light blue bells lit. to lift. high. Its rigid stems 

 prevent its attaining the grace of S. nutans, but it may 

 be naturalised in shrubberies and woods with good 

 effect. Of this there are white, rose, and other forms, all 

 free and vigorous. This Scilla grows well in shade. 



S. italica, from Italy, bears pale blue scented flowers on 

 stems 6in. to loin, long in May. It should be treated 

 similarly to S. bifolia. 



S. nutans [the Wood Hyacinth, Wild Hyacinth, or Blue- 

 bell) is well known over the length and breadih of 

 England. Though so common, it is, without doubt, the 

 most graceful of all the hardy species. There are many 

 variations of colour in the Wild Hyacinths, plants 

 bearing white flowers not being uncommon in some 

 woods, while there are also rose-coloured and French 

 grey varieties, but none are more beautiful than the 

 typical blue form. 



S. peruviana, from the Mediterranean shores, is a 

 sturdy-habited plant growing from I2in. to iSin. high. 

 It produces blue flowers, which are arranged in a closely- 

 packed pyramidal spire during May. In its native 

 habitat it is found growing on rocky slopes, and should 

 in this country be planted in light soil in a sunny 

 situation. In damp heavy soil it often perishes. There 

 is a white variety of this Scilla, as well as strains with 

 yellowish and reddish flowers. 



S. Sibiriea, a native of Siberia, is a charming spring- 

 flowering kind, very hardy, free, and with deep blue 

 blossoms. This Scilla should be liberally planted. 



Scutellaria. — 



This is not a 

 very imporlant 

 family, and 

 somewhat 

 uncommon in 

 gardens, yet a 

 few kinds 

 possess much 

 beauty. As 

 regards culture, 

 all that is neces- 

 sary is a sunny 

 spot and ordi- 

 n a r y soil; 

 divide the roots 

 for increase of 

 stock, or sow 

 seeds in a cold 

 frame. S . 

 alpina, which 

 has purplish 

 flowers, is of 

 spreading 

 growth, and the 

 variety versicolor is welcome for its distinct contrast of 

 colour, blue and white, whilst the deep blue colouring 

 of S. macrantha is distinct and attractive. 

 Sea Pink. — The Sea Pink or Thrift, as it is also named, 

 is an Armeria (A. vulgaris), and is called " Sea Pink " 

 for the reason that by many bleak sandy shores, and upon 

 exposed cliff-tops, even when swept by the salt spray, 

 this charming little rose-coloured flower grows as thickiy 

 almost as the Heather upon the moor. A few strong 

 tufts caie r ully lifted from their native wilds will live in 

 the garden, even of a town suburb. Of course one does 

 not mean wholesale pillage. 



