166 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
grown in bold groups of several plants. Plant in autumn or 
spring. Readily increased by seeds sown outdoors in April, the 
seedlings being afterwards transplanted to their flowering 
positions. Also by cuttings inserted in sandy soil in a cold 
frame in summer or early autumn, and by division in March. 
Lithospernum (Gromwell). — Hardy perennials, belong- 
ing to the Forget-me-not order (Boraginaceae). The species 
named below are of dwarf growth and suitable for growing 
on rockeries or as edgings to borders. They will succeed in 
good ordinary well-drained soil, and may be planted in spring 
or autumn. The species worthy of culture are : L. prostratum, 
stems trailing and evergreen ; flowers a Gentian blue, and 
borne in early summer ; good for trailing over stones on a 
rockery ; native of S. Europe. Heavenly Blue, a sky-blue 
variety, of easy culture, is superior to the type. L. petrseum ; 
habit bushy ; flowers violet blue. May ; a neat plant for a 
sunny rockery. The latter really belongs to another genus. 
Moltkia. Increased by cuttings of previous year’s growth in- 
serted in sandy peat in a cold frame in August. 
Lloydia. — L. serotina is an interesting dwarf alpine 
plant, belonging to the Lily family (Liliaceae) It is a native 
of the Alps, also of Snowdon in Wales, has small scaly bulbs, 
and bears white or yellow flowers in June. A partially shady 
rockery and good ordinary soil will suit its requirements. 
Plant in autumn or spring. Increased by offsets in autumn. 
Lobelia. — This genus contains tender and hardy species, 
and it is the latter only that we shall deal with here. For the 
tender kinds see the section devoted to “ Tender Border 
Plants.” The hardy species are natives of N. America, and 
belong to the Harebell order (Campanulaceae). The prin- 
cipal kinds are : L. cardinalis, a native of the United States, 
grows i to 3ft. high, and bears brilliant scarlet flowers on 
leafy racemes in August. L. fulgens is a most attractive 
Mexican species, growing 1 to 2ft. high, and having reddish 
flower stems and very bright scarlet flowers borne on racemes 
in summer. A variety of it named Queen Victoria has foliage 
of a rich purple colour and crimson flowers. Firefly is another 
richly coloured variety. Attraction is a new variety, with 
vermilion-scarlet and crimson flowers, the latter having a 
white throat ; and Andrew Barlow, magenta, with rich bronzy 
foliage, is another new and showy variety. L. splendens, 
scarlet, and L. svphillitica, blue, white or rose, are two other 
pretty species. L. hybrida is a hybrid, yielding varieties of 
a rose, violet and other shades of colour. The foregoing 
species require a deep rich soil and a moist shady position to 
