136 
BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FLOWERS. 
2 to 3 indies across, with a bright yellow centre, 
appear in September and October, at a time unfor- 
tunately when they are often spoiled by cold rains or 
frost, and are prevented from ripening seeds. A moist 
yet well-drained sandy loam is best for S. pulcher, and 
also a warm sunny position. It is best increased by 
careful division of the rootstocks in spring, and also 
by means of pieces of thicker roots about two inches 
long, inserted in sandy soil and plunged in bottom 
heat, or even kept in cold frames. S. concolor, from 
South Africa, grows 1 to 2 feet high, and has mauve 
purple flowers with a white centre. It is rather tender, 
and with protection in winter, may be treated like 
S. pulclier. A beautiful and free-flowering annual is 
S. elegans from South Africa. It grows 1 to 2 feet 
high, and has masses of purple flower-lieads with yellow 
centres. There are many garden forms, the double- 
flowered ones being very attractive. The colours now 
embrace crimson, purple, rose, white, lilac, magenta, 
&c. Seeds may be sown -in gentle heat in March, or 
in the open air in April and May, or in cold frames 
in September, so as to secure a succession of blossom. 
S. clivorum, of which a flower is shown on Plate 28, 
fig. 77, is a new species with large leaves. A good 
plant for damp places or near the margins of lakes. 
SIDALCEA Candida. — A rather pretty Malvaceous 
plant 2 to 3 feet high, with long-stalked roundish and 
lobed leaves, and trusses of white flowers — like small 
single Hollyhocks. This species flourishes in any 
garden soil, and although a perennial, is often treated 
as an annual in being raised from seeds sown in heat in 
spring, or in autumn in cold frames. 8. malvxflora, 
