THE WHITE FORGET-ME-NOT AS A BORDER FLOWER. 
113 
Myosotis alha^) which is not mentioned in the first edition of Loudon's catalogue, 
and is described in the last supplement as a garden production ; so that it seems 
to be of comparatively recent origin. 
It is a most rapid and free-growing plant, readily multiplied to almost any 
extent by division at the roots, and extending itself all the more vigorously from 
being repeatedly separated. It flourishes in any garden soil, and nearly in any 
situation. But perhaps it thrives best where it only receives the morning or 
evening sun, and not the full meridian summer blaze. 
About the end of April, this charming plant begins to open its numerous 
blossoms, which are of a pure white, and look like so many little snowy stars. 
The blooming season is continued uninterruptedly till the month of September, 
and sometimes later. 
It is an admirable plant for putting in patches along the borders of shrub- 
beries, and in those other pleasure-ground borders or beds, wdiere a mixed 
collection is grown. It would also form very pretty beds or masses, where the 
dimensions of these are not too great ; for the flowers are rather too small for 
general effect in large plots. 
But while it is pre-eminently fitted for growing in open ground borders, it is 
likewise of considerable service as a pot-plant, for keeping among a collection of 
potted Alpines, or for introducing to the greenhouse, or show conservatory. On 
any low stage it has an enchanting appearance, because the quantity of flowers 
gives it such a gay sprightly air. 
As a plant for forcing, too, it has great recommendations. No plant could 
force more easily, and the profusion of its pretty blossoms renders it very desirable 
for the early show-house, or for the drawing-room window. Its very affinity to 
the common Forget-me-not, and its resemblance to that delightful plant in all 
things except colour, give it an additional charm. 
And this brings us to notice the true Forget-me-not, (^Myosotis palustr is ^) which 
is even much more ornamental than the one we have been describinof. As a border 
flower, it possesses the highest characteristics, and only requires planting in a moist 
soil, slightly sheltered and shaded, to become a truly brilliant object. It is, more- 
over, an equally good forcing plant, very valuable for bouquets, as every one 
admires it ; and fit alike for windows, for greenhouses, for borders, and for beds. 
The lovely blue tint of its almost perennial flowers is extremely pleasing ; and few 
of our most cherished exotics can vie with it in interest. Besides, under favourable 
cultivation, its blossoms increase in size to the extent of nearly one-half. 
The principal thing to be attended to in cultivating these two beautiful plants 
is to divide them nearly every year, and give them a fresh position ; and, when the 
spikes of flowers begin to lengthen out, by the decay of the lower blossoms, and 
the upper ones degenerate in size, the whole spike should be cut off, to make way 
for fresh developments. This, by further preventing the production of seeds, will 
secure a very long display of bloom. 
VOL. XI.— NO. CXXV. Q 
