HARDY PLANTS. 
87 
A. Eupatorium, yellow, 4 to 5ft. ; and A. Ptarmica fl. pi. vax. 
The Pearl (also Perry’s White), are the best kinds to grow. 
All flower in summer. Natives of Europe. 
Aciphylla. (Spear Grass or Bayonet Plant). — Hardy 
perennials, natives of New Zealand, and belonging to the Carrot 
family (Umbelliferae). Plants of bushy habit with sword-like, 
spiny-pointed leaves, and bearing white flowers in umbels on 
stems 5 to 6ft. high. They are interesting plants to grow in 
a sandy soil on a sunny rockery. Plant in March. Increased 
by seeds sown in sandy soil in a cold frame in spring, also by 
division of the plants in March. The only two species are 
A. Colensoi, growing several feet across in a few years ; and 
A. squarrosa, a less vigorous grower, and the one generally 
met with in British gardens. 
Aconitum (Monk’s-hood). — The species of this genus 
are highly poisonous plants, but otherwise very handsome, 
free-flowering, herbaceous perennials. They belong to the 
Buttercup family (Ranunculacese). All the species will succeed 
admirably in a shady or partially shady border, and also do 
well under trees. They are also suited for growing on the 
margins of lakes or ponds. None of the species should be 
grown in borders in the vegetable garden owing to the risk of 
the roots being mistaken for those of horse-radish, etc. Any 
good, ordinary soil will suit them. Do not disturb their roots 
often, then they will grow and flower more freely. Plant in 
October or March. All are easily increased by seeds sown 
outdoors in April, or by division of the roots in March. The 
following are the chief kinds: A. Napellus (Common Aconite 
or Monk’s-hood), blue, July, 4 to 5ft. ; A. Napellus versicolor, 
blue and white; A. chinense (Chinese Monk’s-hood), blue, July, 
4ft. ; A. Fischeri (Syn. A. autumnale), bluish-purple, July 
to November, 3 to 4ft. ; A. Wilsoni, bluish-purple, with dark 
veins, summer, 6ft. ; A. japonicum (Japanese Monk’s-hood), 
flesh, July to September, 6ft. ; and A. Lycoctonum (Wolfs- 
bane), violet, July, 4 to 5ft. Natives of Europe and N. 
America. 
Actasa. (Bane-berry; Herb Christopher). — Perennial her- 
baceous plants belonging to the Buttercup family (Ranuncu- 
laceae). They have elegant foliage and graceful inflorescence, 
and are specially adapted for growing in moist, shady borders. 
A peaty soil, or one in which decayed leaves predominate, 
appears to suit these plants best. Plant in October or March. 
Increased by seeds sown in boxes in a cold frame, or in a 
shady border in spring ; also by division of the root stocks in 
March or October. The most noteworthy kinds are : A. alba, 
