HARDY PLANTS. 
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America, and a hardy perennial of considerable beauty. It 
has grass-like leaves and bell-shaped drooping flowers on a 
spathe 8 to t2in. high in May and June. Album is a white- 
flowered variety. These plants do best in sandy peat and 
leaf-mould on a warm sheltered rockery, or in a mass in a 
partially shaded border. Plant in October or May. Increased 
by division of the creeping root-stocks in March. The flowers 
are valuable for cutting. 
Smilacina (Wild Spikenard; False Solomon’s Seal). — 
Hardy herbaceous perennials, belonging to the Lily order 
(Liliaceae), and resembling somewhat in habit the Solomon’s 
Seal. S. racemosa, native of N. America, grows 2 to 3ft. 
high, and bears white flowers in dense panicles in May and 
June. S. stellata is another American species, growing 1 to 
2ft. high, and bearing white racemes in May. These two 
are suitable for the mixed sunny or shady border; in fact, may 
be grown similarly to the Solomon’s Seal. S. oleracea, a native 
of Sikkim, grows 4ft. high, and bears white flowers in panicles 
in May, but is less hardy than the others, and will only succeed 
in southern gardens in a peaty soil and shady position. Plant 
in autumn or early spring. Increased by division in autumn 
or spring. 
Soldanella. (Moonwort). — Hardy alpine perennials, 
natives of the Tyrolese or Swiss Alps, and members of the 
Primrose order (Primulaceae). They are charming little 
plants for rockery culture. Those deserving of culture are : 
S. alpina (Blue Moonwort), a lovely species, growing 3 to 4m. 
high, and bearing prettily fringed, bell-shaped, drooping 
flowers in April. A variety named Wheeled is said to be an 
improved form. Other and less-known species are : S. minima, 
dark lilac, April, 2in. ; S. montana, purple, April, 3m. ; and 
S. pusilla, mauve, April, 2in. These lovely alpines require to 
be grown in sandy loam, peat and leaf-mould on a level, moist 
and shady part of the rockery. They must not be allowed 
to suffer for want of moisture in summer. Plant in spring, 
mulch with cocoanut-fibre refuse in summer to conserve the 
moisture. Increased by seeds sown in sandy peat in a cold 
frame in spring ; also by division in March. 
Solidago (Golden Rod). — A genus of hardy herbaceous 
perennials, belonging to the Daisy order (Composite). Plants 
of rather weedy growth, suitable for wild garden, woodland 
and shrubbery borders, and the margins of water. They 
require ordinary soil only, and a sunny or shady position. 
Best grown in bold masses. The following species are natives 
of N. America: S. Buckleyii, yellow, ift. ; S. neglecta, 5ft. ; S. 
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