HARDY PLANTS. 
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a habit to grow anywhere except in wild parts of the garden. 
Easily reared from seed scattered about in spring where the 
plants are required to grow. 
Dodecatheon (American Cowslip). — Pretty and inter- 
esting dwarf perennials, natives of N. America, and members 
of the Primrose order (Primulaceae). The nodding, cyclamen- 
like flowers are borne in umbels on slender stalks in spring 
and early summer. U. Madia is the best known species. This 
grows upwards of ift. high, and bears rosy-purple, white, or 
lilac flowers in April. There are several varieties, as album, 
white; giganteum, blush, white and rose, very pretty; and 
lilacinum, lilac. Other species are : D. Hendersoni, crimson 
and yellow, March, 6in. ; D. integrifolium, rosy-crimson, white 
and yellow, June; D. Jeffreyii, purple-rose, 2ft. ; and D. Clev- 
landii, violet-fclue, 2ft. The Dodecatheons thrive best in 
a light, loamy soil with which plenty of leaf-mould has been 
incorporated. As regards position, a sunny or a partially 
shady rockery, or a shady border, or the margins of woodland 
paths, anywhere not too hot and dry, will suit these plants 
well. Dodecatheons also do well on the margins of bog beds 
in which Kalmias, Heaths, etc., are growing. Plant in 
February or March. An annual top-dressing of decayed 
manure in February will be beneficial. Increased by seeds 
sown when ripe in sandy loam and leaf-mould in a cold frame, 
also by division in February. 
Doronlcum (Leopard’s Bane). — Hardy herbaceous peren- 
nials, belonging to the Daisy order (Compositae). They are 
showy spring and early summer flowering plants, and well 
worthy of culture in small or large gardens, and their yellow, 
marguerite-like flowers, moreover, being borne on long stems, 
are well suited for cutting. The principal kinds grown are : 
D. plantagineum excelsum (Harper Crewe variety), 3 to 5ft. ; 
D. caucasicum, 1 ft. ; D. austriacum, lift.; and D. Pardia- 
lanches, 2 to 3ft. D. caucasicum is the earliest to flower. 
The foregoing will succeed in ordinary soil in sun or 
shade, and may be grown in the mixed border or massed in 
woodland borders and the wild gardens. Increased by division 
in autumn or spring ; also by seeds sown in sandy soil in a 
cold frame in spring. Large plants should be lifted, divided 
and replanted every two or three years. Plant in autumn or 
spring. 
Downingia. — A genus of hardy annuals, included in 
seed lists under the generic name of Clintonia. Natives of 
California, and members of the Campanula order (Campanu- 
lacese). Two species are grown, namely, D. elegans, blue and 
