78 HARDY PERENNIALS 
small crown by rather slender roots. The tubers are 
extremely brittle, and require careful lifting, especially 
as they grow at considerable depth from the surface. 
From this deep-rooting habit we get an inkling 
of the plants' fondness of moisture and dread of 
scorching heat, but at the same time there must be 
free drainage and life in the soil. It would be fatal 
to dig holes into inert subsoil and bury the roots in 
these. The whole bed must be deeply dug and 
well cultivated. One of the best beds of Alstroe- 
meria we have seen was planted in what had been a 
deep ditch. A drain-pipe was laid along the bottom, 
and the whole depth filled in with loam, rough 
leaf-mould, burnt ashes and sand. Here the 
Alstroemerias flourished for many years, and great 
sheaves of bloom could be cut without being missed. 
Some of the best Alstroemerias are A. Aurantiaca, 
orange-red with dark spots, like miniature Tiger 
lilies ; A. pelegrina, a striking combination of 
lilac, red, and purple ; A. pulchella, red and brown 
with bright green markings, and A. versicolor, 
purple, maroon, and green. 
Althaea. — This is the botanical name of the Holly- 
hock, both double and single varieties of which have 
long ranked among the special favourites of that 
class of growers and exhibitors whom we call the 
old school of florists. But the genus Althaea also 
includes several other species which are not so 
widely known, but are nevertheless hardy perennials 
of noble proportions and great decorative value. 
