HARDY PLANTS. 
167 
do really well. Plenty of leaf-mould, well-rotted manure and 
a little peat should be mixed with the soil before planting. 
These plants show to best advantage grown in a mass by 
themselves, on the side of a lake or pond or in a corner of 
the garden. L. syphillitica, indeed, may be grown in groups 
in the ordinary border, as it is hardier and less exacting as to 
soil than the others. Plant in autumn or spring. In cold 
districts L. cardinalis, fulgens and splendens are apt to damp 
off in winter. To guard against this, lift the plants in October, 
place in pots, and winter in a cold frame, planting out again 
in March. The perennial species may be reared from seeds 
sown in heat in spring ; by division of the roots in March ; 
and by cuttings of the roots at the same time. 
Lotus (Bird's -foot Trefoil). — The only species of this 
genus worthy of a place in the garden is the Double Bird’s-foot 
Trefoil (L. corniculatus fl. pi.). This species is a native of 
our meads and uplands, and a member of the Pea order (Legu- 
minosae). The double variety is a dwarf plant, bearing double 
yellow flowers striped with red in summer and autumn. A 
pretty plant to grow in ordinary soil on a sunny rockery. 
Plant in autumn or spring. Increased by seeds sown outdoors 
in autumn or spring. 
Lunaria (Honesty). — The Common Honesty (L. annua, 
Syn. L. biennis) is an old-fashioned garden plant grown for 
the sake of its violet, lilac, or white flowers, borne in early 
summer, and its silvery seed-pods borne later on. It is a 
native of N. Europe, and grows 2ft. high. It may be grown 
as an annual by sowing the seeds outdoors in March, or as 
a biennial by sowing them in April or May. The best 
results are obtained by treating the plants as biennials, this 
giving them a longer period to develop and produce flowers 
and seeds more freely. It is best to sow where the plants are 
giving a longer period to develop and produce flowers and 
seeds more freely. It is best to sow' where the plants are 
to grow, and to thin the seedlings out early to 10 or I 2 in. 
apart. Gather the flowering stems when the pods are quite 
ripe, hang them head downwards in a shed to get quite dry, 
then peel off the outer portions of the pods, leaving the silvery 
centre or membrane. In the latter state the pods look ex- 
tremely effective mixed with dried grasses for the winter 
decoration of the home. Wallflow'er order (Crucifers). 
Lupinus (Lupin). — A genus of showy and popular hardy 
annuals, herbaceous and shrubby perennials, belonging to the 
Laburnum order (Leguminosse). The annual species are very 
pretty, easily grown, and well suited for large or small gardens. 
