204 HARDY PERENNIALS 
in the shadowy background. Tropseolum speciosum, 
a plant that many have coveted and tried in vain 
to estabhsh in their gardens, need not be despaired 
of if very simple precautions are taken at the outset, 
and once established it may be depended upon to 
grow in strength and beauty year by year. 
The first point to insist upon is that the nursery- 
man from whom stock may be obtained shall supply 
plants well established in pots. This is a great step 
toward success. A great many roots of this 
Tropaeolum are imported every year. They come 
from sandy-peaty soils, and before they reach the 
private planter's hands have probably been so long 
out of the ground that they have lost half their 
vitality, and in any case it is difficult for roots 
grown in sand and peat to take hold of the ordinary 
garden soils of this country. 
With well-established plants in pots we have a 
good chance of success. The next thing is to choose 
a site. If the soil be cool and heavy the position 
may be open to the sun. If the soil is light and 
disposed to be dry, a shady situation will be best. 
Deep planting is best, the lighter the soil the deeper 
the roots should go, even to a foot or more below 
the surface. If leaf-mould, peat, and sand can be 
well mixed with heavy soil, so much the better, 
coolness, moisture, but free drainage being the ideal 
to aim at. After all, it does not involve a deal of 
trouble or expense to provide these conditions, and 
the glory of the vivid sheets of intense, radiant 
