PLANTS WORTH GROWING 205 
scarlet of a vigorous colony will abundantly repay 
the effort. T. tuberosum, with pretty pendent, 
tubular flowers of brillant red and rich orange 
grows from a balloon-shaped tuber, which should be 
planted deeply and bedded in sand, when they will 
be safe from harm even in sharp winters. 
Of remarkable beauty both in leaf and flower, 
T. polyphyllum seems naturally adapted for trail- 
ing over the steep slope of a bank, or the face of 
a rough stone wall, where its glaucous leaves 
and bright golden flowers form a charming sight. 
It is a plant that never fails to attract admiring 
attention. 
Veratrum. — There is a stateliness and luxuriance 
about the broad, deeply ribbed leaves of Veratrums 
that is reminiscent of the exotic palms, but 
there is the additional feature of tall pyramidal 
inflorescence of a very uncommon character, purplish 
black in the case of V. nigrum, white with tinges 
of green in V. album, and also in californicum, and 
deeper green in V. album Lobelianum. 
As centre plants for a circular bed on a lawn 
no finer subjects can be desired, but they should 
be allowed to grow undisturbed for several years, 
lifting only when it is deemed necessary to divide 
the roots. If helped with good soakings of liquid 
manure the plants will produce an effect of tropical 
splendour. 
Verbascum. — Given a large border of deep, well- 
drained soil, with a fair amount of lime or chalk, a 
