362 
THE FLOWER GARDEN. 
December, Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae (Barberry family). It is 
only hardy enough to grow on a south or south-west wall in 
the southern parts of the kingdom. Plant in May or September 
in sandy loam and peat. Increased by cuttings of the ripened 
growths in sandy peat in a cold frame in autumn. 
Lathyrus (Everlasting Pea). — Here we shall only refer 
to the perennial species, the annual Sweet Pea being referred 
to elsewhere. The genus belongs to the Nat. Ord. Legumi- 
nosae. The best known of the perennial species is L. latifolius, 
a native of Europe. This has a woody root-stock and annual 
stems growing 6 to ioft. high. The type bears rosy flowers, 
but there are also two white varieties, albus and White Pearl, 
the latter bearing large pure white flowers of special value for 
cutting. There is also a pretty blush-tinted variety named 
delicatus. The species is addicted to sporting— i.e., producing 
white or rose flowers on the same plant, and the ordinary white 
kind frequently reverts to the rose-coloured type. Another 
well-known species is L. grandiflorus, a native of Europe, and 
bearing large rosy-purple flowers in pairs. It is of dwarfer 
and more slender growth than L. latifolia. Other species are 
L. magellanicus (Lord Anson’s Pea), a native of the Straits 
of Magellan, growing 3 to 5ft. high, and bearing bluish-violet 
flowers in medium-sized bunches; L. rotundifolius, a native of 
Persia, growing 5ft. high, and bearing large rosy-pink flowers 
in big clusters ; L. splendens, a Californian species, growing 
10 to 12ft. high, and bearing upwards of a dozen large carmine- 
red flowers in racemes in summer; L. undulatus, growing 3ft. 
or so high, with flowers of a lovely rosy-purple colour ; L. 
tuberosus, a trailing species bearing rosy flowers very freely ; 
and L. pubescens, a Chilian species growing 6ft. high and 
bearing lilac-purple flowers in profusion in June. All flower 
in summer. The Everlasting peas are excellent plants for 
clothing a sunny fence or wall, covering the sides of arches 
or arbours, trailing over banks, or for growing in bold masses 
in large borders, pea-sticks being provided as a support for the 
shoots. L. grandiflorus, L. rotundifolius and L. undulatus are 
specially suited for trailing on banks and rockeries. For 
yielding flowers for cutting the variety of L. latifolius called 
White Pearl cannot be surpassed. It is a really beautiful kind. 
The roots of L. grandiflorus and L. tuberosus creep about 
under the surface, so these species should not be planted in 
choice borders. L. splendens, being somewhat tender, should 
be given a sheltered position against a warm wall. All the 
species require a rich loamy soil to do well. Strong roots 
may be planted in autumn or early spring, or plants may be 
reared from seeds in gentle heat in spring, and the seedlings 
