HARDY PLANTS. 93 
and onwards. It grows naturally in boggy places, therefore is 
best cultivated in clamp corners, the margin of pools, or with 
other bog-loving plants in the bog garden. Plant in March 
or April. Increased by seeds sown in damp spots in March, 
or division of the roots in October or March. It is a perennial. 
A 
Anchusa (Alkanet). — Hardy perennials and biennials, 
members of the Borage family (Boraginaceae). All the species 
have rough, hairy stems and leaves. The perennial species 
worth growing are A. italica, bright blue, summer blooming, 
and 3 to 4ft. high; A. sempervirens, bright blue, .blooming in 
May, and growing 1 to 2ft. high. The biennial species are 
A. capensis, blue, July, i8in. ; and A. hybrida, violet, summer, 
1 ft. The Dropmore Variety, sky-blue, and Opal, pale blue, 
are charming forms of A. italica. Grow in ordinary soil and 
plant in October or March. Readily increased by seed sown 
outdoors in April, or by division of the roots in autumn or 
spring. A. capensis is best reared from seed sown in a cold 
frame in late summer, and the seedlings planted out the follow- 
ing May. A. capensis is a native of S. Africa, the rest of 
Europe. 
Androsa.ce (Rock Jasmine). — A genus of hardy peren- 
nial or alpine plants, belonging to the Primrose family 
(Primulaceas). They are extremely pretty and interesting 
plants to grow on rockeries in country gardens, but not suited 
for town or suburban gardens. In their native habitats 
they grow at very high altitudes, consequently are thoroughly 
hardy. The following are the most deserving of culture : A. 
carnea, with green, mossy foliage and pink flowers, May to 
July, 3 to 4in. ; A. ciliata, growth dense and cushion-like, 
flowers carmine-red, June, 3m. ; A. lanuginosa, foliage, silvery- 
grey, flowers bright rose w'ith yellow eye, June to October, 
6in. ; A. sarmentosa, downy foliage, flowers rose-coloured, 
May, 6in., a most charming species; A Laggeri, mossy foliage 
and pink flowers borne in numbers in March, very pretty. 
Besides the above perennials there is a pretty biennial species, 
which readily propagates itself from self-sown seed, namely, 
A. lactiflora. This bears small, white flowers freely in early 
summer. All the species succeed best in the clefts or chinks 
of sandstone or limestone rock. The chinks or nooks should 
be first filled with sandy loam and peat, and a little cow dung. 
Fix the plants in firmly, and if the soil has a tendency to 
crumble down, seal it with fresh cow dung. The plants should 
be so placed that the soil behind is equally moist, but not 
stagnant. Drip is most injurious to these plants. Nor will 
they thrive long in rockeries constructed mainly of burrs. 
Androsaces are propagated by seeds sown in sandy, peaty 
