176 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
Mertensia. (Virginian Cowslip, etc.). — A genus of 
Borageworts (Boraginaceae), bearing blue or purplish flowers, 
and in many respects resembling the Borage and Forget-me- 
not. The following species are all very pretty and worthy 
of culture: M. paniculata, violet-blue, summer, iSin. to 2ft., 
N. America; M. sibirica, light blue, summer, i8in., N. 
America ; M. sibirica alba, white ; M. pulmonaroides (Syn. M. 
virginica), gentian-blue, May to July, 12 to 15m., Virginia; 
M. dahurica, sky-blue, May and June, 6 to 12m., Dahuria ; and 
M. primuloides, gentian-blue, summer, a dwarf species suit- 
able for rockeries. These plants will thrive in good ordinary 
soil on the margins of shrubbery or mixed borders, or on 
rockeries. When grown in masses they produce a very pretty 
effect. Plant in October or March. Increased by seeds sown 
outdoors in April, or when ripe in cold frames, planting out 
in spring ; also by division in March. 
Meum (Spignel). — The only species grown is M. atha- 
manticum, a native of Britain, and a member of the Carrot 
family (Umbelliferae). This perennial plant has fragrant, 
finely-cut foliage, grows 2 to 3ft. high, and bears white, 
sweet-scented flowers in May. A desirable plant for natura 
lising in shrubbery and woodland borders or the wild garden. 
Will grow in ordinary soil. Plant in autumn or spring. In- 
creased by seeds sown outdoors in April, or by division of tht 
roots in autumn or spring. 
Michauxia. (Michaux’s Bellflower). — M. campanuloides 
is a native of the Levant, a hardy biennial, and a member 
of the Harebell order (Campanulacae). It is of a stately 
habit of growth, grows 4 to 6ft. high, and bears rosy-white 
passion-like flowers in branching spikes in summer. A re- 
cently introduced species is M. Tchihatcbewi, a native of the 
Caucasus, growing 3ft. high, and bearing white flowers. Both 
require a rich, deep, well-drained, loamy soil and a sunny 
position. Damp is fatal to them. Best raised from seeds 
sown in sandy soil in a cold frame in September, kept in the 
frame till the following May, then planted out. 
Mimulus (Monkey Flower; Musk). — Hardy perennials, 
belonging to the Foxglove order (Scrophulariaceae). M. mos- 
chatus, a North American species, is the well-known Musk, 
with trailing stems, fragrant foliage, and yellow and orange 
flowers.* This will grow in any damp, rich soil in shady spots. 
M. Harrisonii is a more robust variety, with larger flowers, 
but scarcely so hardy, requiring to be planted annually in 
May. M. luteus is another American species naturalised in 
many parts of England. It has yellow flowers spotted with 
