HARDY PLANTS. 
89 
are all perennials. Of the annual species, /E. cappadocicum 
(Syn. ^E. Buxbaumi) rose, 3in., is the only one worth growing. 
All may be i eared from seeds sown in the open in April ; peren- 
nial species also by cuttings, inserted in sandy soil in a cold 
frame in summer. 
Ajuga. (Bugle Flower). — Dwarf perennials, belonging to 
the Sage family (Labiatae). A genevensis is an excellent plant 
for carpeting bare spots by the side of woodland paths, or 
forming an edging to borders. It grows 6 to Qin. high, and 
bears spikes of pretty flowers in May. A. reptans atropurpurea 
has foliage of a rich purple bronze tint, and A. reptans varie- 
gata, silvery foliage. Both are blue flowered, and make charm- 
ing edgings to beds and borders. The last two only grow 4in. 
high. A. Brockbanki, 6in., May, is also a pretty species. Plant 
in autumn or March. Increased by division of the plants in 
October or March. Europe., 
Althaea (Hollyhock). — The hollyhock is one of the 
showiest and most stately of hardy plants. It belongs to the 
Mallow family (Malvaceae), is a native of China, and strictly 
a perennial, though in many soils it is of biennial duration 
only. There are single and double varieties in many shades 
of colour. All are easily raised from seed sown outdoors in 
May, the seedlings being transplanted in a nursery bed as 
soon as large enough to handle, and finally planted in their 
permanent positions in October to flower the following summer. 
Another method is to sow seeds as soon as ripe in autumn in 
gentle heat, grow the seedlings in small pots in a cold frame 
till April, then plant them out in the borders.-. These will flower 
late in the summer. Yet another mode of propagation is by 
cuttings of the side growths at the root or on the base of the 
flower-stems. These should be removed with a thin slice of 
the old plant attached to the base, and be inserted singly in 
small pots filled with light, sandy soil, then placed in a 
cold, shady frame, and kept more or "less close till rooted. 
This may be done in spring or summer. In the case of very 
scarce sorts the side-shoots of the flower-spikes may be cut 
into small lengths, each with a leaf attached, and embedded in 
light sandy soil in a cold frame in late summer. Cut off the leaf 
before inserting the cutting. These cuttings will root by spring 
and make nice little plants. For ordinary garden decoration, 
however, a good strain of mixed seedlings, singles or doubles, 
will give good results. It is really only the named sorts that 
need to be increased by cuttings. Moreover, you get much 
stronger plants from seeds, and this is a point of great import- 
ance to amateur gardeners. Having reared the plants, the 
next thing is to prepare the soil. Hollyhocks delight in a rich 
