HARDY PLANTS. 
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is easily reared from seed in the open border in April, also by 
division of the roots in spring. 
Mel issa (Balm). — The Common Balm (M. officinalis) is 
the welPknown fragrant herb, and is of no special value in 
the flower garden. There is, however, a variegated form with 
green and golden foliage which is sometimes used as an 
edging or as a patch in the mixed border. It will thrive in 
any soil or position, increased by division in autumn. Nat. 
Ord. Labiatae (Sage family). 
Melittis (Bastard Balm). — M. Melissophyllum is a native 
perennial, with creamy white and purple-spotted flowers borne 
in May and June. A variety of it named grandiflora has 
creamy-white flowers. It grows 2ft. high, and belongs to the 
Sage order (Labiatae). A pretty plant to grow in the wood- 
land garden or in the mixed, shady fern border. Increased 
by seed or division. 
Mentha. (Mint).- — Two or three dwarf kinds of mint are 
used for carpeting or edging purposes in the flower garden. 
M. gibraltarica, a variety of our native Pennyroyal (M. pule- 
gium), grows a couple of inches high, and forms dense tufts 
of green foliage. It is much used in carpet bedding. Not 
being quite hardy, tufts of it have to be lifted in autumn and 
wintered in a cold frame. In spring these can be divided 
and grown on very easily in gentle heat to produce any 
number of plants to put out in May. M. Requieni is another 
dwarf hardy plant, with fragrant foliage, which may be used 
for carpeting bare spaces between rose trees, or early-flowering 
bulbs. M. rotundifolia variegata is a pretty dwarf varie- 
gated Mint, useful for growing on dry banks or edging a 
dry border. Increased by division. Nat. Ord. Labiatae (Sage 
order). 
Mentzelia. — Hardy annuals or biennials, belonging to 
the Nat. Ord. Loasaceae, and natives of California. A well- 
known species is M. Lindleyi (Syn. Bartonia aurea). This 
is an annual species, growing 12 to i8in. high, and bearing 
golden-yellow flowers with a large cluster of stamens in the 
centre. A very pretty and showy annual for a sunny border. 
The other annual species are : M. albecans, palest yellow, 
2 to 3ft. ; M. bartonioides, sulphur-yellow, ift. ; and M. ornata, 
white, fragrant, ift. The foregoing are really the only kinds 
worth growing. All flower in summer. Sow the seeds thinly 
in the open border early in April, and thin the seedlings out 
early to a foot apart. A sunny position and a not too heavy 
soil will suit the foregoing annuals. 
