124 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
hood from returning. The plant is supposed to derive some 
nourishment from the decomposing insects. The flowers are 
white or pale green and curiously formed. This quaint plant 
will flourish outdoors in a bed of moist peat and sphagnum 
moss in the bog garden, or by the side of a pond or stream. A 
sheltered position and partial shade are desirable. Plant in 
spring. Increased by division in March. 
Datisca. — A hardy herbaceous perennial, belonging to 
the Nat. Ord. Datiscaceae, and a native of India. D. canna- 
bina is the only species grown ; bears its male and female 
flowers on separate plants. The plant grows 4 to 6ft. high, 
has long, graceful stems, pinnate foliage, and yellowish-green 
flowers. Its chief attraction lies in its graceful habit and 
foliage. Will grow in ordinary soil and is suitable for shrubby 
gardens. Increased by seeds sown outdoors in spring. 
Delphinium (Larkspur). — Hardy annual and perennial 
plants of handsome and stately growth, belonging to the 
Crow'foot order (Ranunculaceae). The perennial species, with 
their numerous hybrids and varieties, rank among the showiest 
hardy border flowers in cultivation. They are adapted alike 
for small or large gardens. The perennial species include 
such showy kinds as D. cashmirianum, pale blue, 12 to i8in. 
high, native of Kashmir; D. formosum, blue, 2 to 3ft., native 
of Asia ; D. grandiflorum, blue, 3ft., native of Siberia, and its 
white variety album ; D. nudicaule, orange-scarlet, isin., native 
of California ; and D. sulphureum (Syn. D. Zalil) yellow', 4 to 
5ft., Afghanistan. The hybrids and varieties are exceedingly 
numerous, and there are both double and single forms. 
Leading hardy plant specialists have been engaged for many 
years in rearing new varieties. These are in every way supe- 
rior to the species, and should be grown in preference to them 
for general garden decoration. Of course, named sorts yield 
the finest qualities of flower and habit, but a splendid variety 
of exquisite colours may be obtained from a packet of 
mixed seed of single, semi-double, and double forms. For 
named varieties see florists’ catalogues. The species, 
hybrids, and varieties, should be grown in sunny borders 
in a deep, rich, loamy soil w'ith which, prior to plant- 
ing, plenty of well-rotted manure has been mixed. They 
make poor growth on light soils unless cow or pig manure 
has been freely added and the surface of the soil is heavily 
mulched with manure in summer. In heavy clay soils the 
plants are apt to die in winter. To prevent this it is advisable 
to dig out a hole 3ft. wide and deep for each plant, and to 
fill in w'ith a compost of two parts loam and one part rotten 
manure. Deep trenching, adding plenty of grit, decayed 
