236 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
The leaves are green, blotched with yellow. Ordinary soil. 
Plant in autumn. Increased by division. Daisy order (Com- 
posite). 
Ursinia. — U. pulchra, better known as Sphenogyne 
speciosa, is a hardy annual, a native of S. Africa, and a 
member of the Daisy order (Composite). The plant grows 
about a foot high, and bears yellow flowers with a purplish- 
black zone at the base of the petals in summer. Aurea is a 
variety with a yellow centre. A showy annual for sunny 
borders and a light soil. Sow outdoors in April and thin out 
the seedlings to a foot apart ; or sow in heat in March, harden 
off in April, and plant out in May. 
Uvularia. (Bellwort). — Hardy herbaceous perennials, 
members of the Lily order (Liliaceae), and natives of N. 
America. U. grandiffora is the only species worth growing, 
and this has slender stems and long, drooping, bell-shaped 
yellow flowers borne in early summer. It grows ift. high, and 
requires to be grown in peaty soil in a shady border or on a 
rockery. A very graceful and pretty plant. Plant in autufffri 
or spring, and increase by seeds sown in peaty soil in a cold 
frame in spring or autumn ; or by division in October or 
March. 
Valeriana (Valerian). — Rather weedy perennials, be- 
longing to the Nat. Ord. Valerianaceae. The only kind worth 
growing is the Golden Cretan Spikenard (V. Phu aurea). This 
is very attractive in spring and early summer, its golden 
shoots showing up well in the mixed border. It grows 2ft. 
high, and bears white flowers in summer. Plant in autumn 
in ordinary soil in a damp shady border. Increased by division 
in March. 
Vancouveria (Barrenwort). — A graceful and very pretty 
little evergreen perennial is V. hexandra, a native of N. 
America. It grows about a foot high, has purple-tinted fern- 
like foliage and pearly white blossoms born in graceful 
panicles in spring and early summer. It belongs to the Bar- 
berry order (Berberidaceae). An attractive plant to grow in a 
moist shady bed on the rockery in peaty soil. Plant in autumn 
or spring. Increased by seeds sown in sandy peat in a 
cold frame in autumn or spring; also by division in October. 
Venidium. — V. calendulaceum is a South African peren- 
nial, bearing marigold-like flowers, yellow with a dark centre, 
in summer and autumn. It grows about a foot high. Although 
a perennial it is bes't treated as a half-hardy annual, seeds 
being sown in gentle heat in March, and the seedlings planted 
