FLOWERS OF THE FRENCH RIVIERA. 



10 



Many more herbaceous plants are occasionally grown for 

 their flowers on the Riviera ; hut very few besides those 

 enumerated above constitute a real article of trade. I must, 

 however, make an exception for Violets, which will be mentioned 

 by-and-by, and for Iberis gibraltarica, I. semperflorens, and 

 Arctotis aspera, and also for the common Cornflower and the 

 closely allied Centaur ea depressa. 



Iberis gibraltarica thrives remarkably well, chiefly on rocks 

 or loose w 7 alls, in a shady situation. Its large umbels of white 

 and lilac are really wonderful. 



Arctotis asyera gives through the whole winter a succession 

 of large cream-w T hite flowers, with a deep yellow ring round a 

 black disc in the centre. They are very effective, and stand well 

 in water. 



Violets, though last, are certainly not least amongst the 

 Riviera flowers. Large quantities of the common sweet Violet 

 are exported daily, and supply the Paris market to the nearly 

 complete exclusion of North-grown flowers. The rich grass and 

 orchard land round Sollies-Pont in the Var is now the home of 

 sweet Violets. It supplies all the principal markets with ready- 

 made bunches of flowers, collared with fresh green leaves. The 

 large dark Violet "Le Czar" is in great demand, but the pale, 

 white-centred, long-stalked " Wilson " variety holds its own all 

 the same. A new large kind, known as " Luxonne," is well 

 spoken of. It is not yet widely distributed. 



Neapolitan Violets are grown by the acre all round Grasse, 

 Magagnosc, Vence, and Cannes for the perfume factories. A 

 good proportion of the crop, however, finds its way to the 

 market or to the florist's shop. They are universal favourites, 

 and in constant request for corsage and button-hole. They are 

 met with every day in apartments, where they combine admirably 

 with bright Anemones or golden Mimosa, and tons of them are 

 used at the "battles of flowers." 



Although some other flowers not unworthy of attention 

 might still be mentioned, I feel that the line must be drawn 

 somewhere, and I will not, therefore, extend these remarks any 

 further. Suffice it to say, that to a lover of flowers the Riviera 

 is never destitute of some objects of interest and of attraction. 

 At this time of year the contrast between Northern skies and 

 the "Cote d'Azur " is at its highest. Should any of those 



