112 THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Centranthus (Spur Valerian). — Hardy annuals and 
perennials belonging to the Valerian family (Valerianaceas). 
The Red Valerian (C. ruber) is an old inhabitant of English 
gardens, and has naturalised itself on old walls and railway 
banks, especially in the chalky districts. It is also a favourite 
old cottage garden plant. It grows 2 to 3ft. high, has stout, 
woody stems, and a perennial root stock. The normal colour 
is red, but there are also white or crimson-coloured forms of 
it. The flowering season extends from June to September. 
This species will succeed in ordinary soil in any dryish sunny 
border, or on banks, rockeries, or old walls. Plant in autumn 
or spring. Increased by seeds scattered about on walls or 
banks in autumn, or sown on a sunny border in September 
or April ; also by cuttings of side-shoots inserted in sandy soil 
in a cold frame in August, and division of the roots in March. 
The annual species (C. macrosiphon) is a native of Spain, 
grows 1 to 2ft. high, and bears rosy-carmine flowers in July. 
Of this there is a white and a dwarf variety. Sow seeds in the 
open border or on a sunny rockery in April. 
Cerastlum (Mouse-ear Chickweed). — The Cerastiums 
belong to the Pink order (Caryophyllaceae). C. tomentosum is 
a popular edging plant, having silvery evergreen foliage, and 
growing 4 to 6in. high. Makes a good permanent edging to a 
bed or border, and is also used in carpet bedding. It bears 
white flowers in early summer. These, however, have to be 
removed when used for carpet bedding. Does well also on a 
sunny rockery. C. Biebersteinii has evergreen w'oolly leaves, 
grows 6in. high, bears white flow'ers in summer, and makes 
a good edging or rockery plant also. C. grandiflorum is a 
deciduous species w’ith hoary or woolly leaves and white 
flowers. This also is a good edging plant. These are really 
the only kinds worth growing. They are readily increased by 
dividing the plants in March, also by cuttings inserted in a 
shady border in July or August. Also easily reared from seeds 
sown in the open in April. To make a good edging plant the 
divisions a few inches apart ; or, if seedlings or rooted cut- 
tings, an inch or so apart in March, or in September and 
October. 
Ceratostigma (Lead-w'ort). — The only species is C. 
plumbaginoides (Syn. Plumbago Larpentae). It is a hardy 
perennial, growing ift. high and bearing lovely cobalt-blue 
flowers in September and October. A native of China and 
a member of the Nat. Ord. Plumbaginaceae. This charming 
plant succeeds best in sandy loam on a sunny rockery. Here 
its creeping roots will soon spread into a large mass, and 
