HARDY PLANTS. 
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plants from seed in the same way as advised for the Chinese 
Pinks. The alpine species are best planted in spring. In- 
creased by seeds sown in spring, and division of the roots in 
March. 
Diapensia.. — D. lapponica, the only species worth grow- 
ing is a dwarf evergreen herb, growing i to 2in. high, and 
bearing pure white flowers half-an-inch wide in July. It is a 
native of the Arctic regions. The plant requires to be grown 
in peaty soil on a sunny rockery. Must be kept well watered 
in dry weather. Plant in spring. Increased by division in 
March. Belongs to the Nat. Ord. Diapensiaceae. 
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart ; Lyre Flower). — Hardy 
herbaceous perennials, belonging to the Fumitory order (Fuma- 
riaceae). D. spectabilis, better known as Dielytra spectabilis, 
is a showy Japanese species, with a fleshy root-stock and 
elegantly-cut leaves. It also bears pretty lyre-shaped, rosy 
flowers on graceful racemes in summer; height i8in. to 2ft. ; a 
handsome plant to grow in a warm, shady border in rich soil. 
D. canadensis (Syn. D. eximia) is a species with fern-like 
foliage and reddish-purple blossoms borne on graceful, droop- 
ing racemes in summer. A native of N. America, and growing 
12 to iSin. high. Also a good plant for a shady border or wood- 
land garden or rockery. D. chrysantha is a tall-growing Cali- 
fornian species, with glaucous foliage and yellow blossoms 
borne in late summer; height, 3 to 4ft.; requires a warm, 
sheltered spot. D. formosa is much like D. canadensis in habit, 
but only glows 6in. high, and bears red flowers in May. A 
good plant for massing in a shady or woodland border, or for 
a rockery ; ordinary rich soil ; a native of N. America. Planting 
may be done in autumn or spring. Increased by seeds sown 
in sandy soil in a cold frame in spring, and by division of 
the root-stocks in October or March. 
Dictamnus (Fraxinella; Burning Bush; Dittany). — 
Only one species of this genus of hardy herbaceous perennials 
is grown, and that is D. albus, a native of S. Europe, and 
a member of the Rue order (Rutaceae). It is an old garden 
plant, with Ash-like foliage and white flowers borne in racemes 
in summer. D. albus purpureus, purple, better known as D 
Fraxinella, is the most generally grown kind. Both kinds do 
well in sandy loam or ordinary, deep well-drained soils. They are 
not suited for heavy damp soils. Will succeed in a sunny or a 
shady mixed border. They grow very slowly, and hence take 
many years to make good bold plants, but whether small or 
large they are very handsome and interesting border plants. 
Plant in autumn or spring. Increased by seeds sown in light 
