Silene 
SILENE PENDULA. Among hardy annuals Silene 
Pendula deserves a prominent place because of 
its dvfrarf, spreading form and profusion of 
bright, beautiful flowers. The compact varieties 
form lovely little flowery cushions 10 or 12 
inches across, and are elegant for an edging 
or border. The common spreading sorts cover 
more space, but are more loose in growth and 
very graceful. All are easily grown from seeds 
sown either in Fall or Spring. The colors range 
from white to crimson, some showing flowers 
of a charming pink color. 
VINCA ROSEA. This is a plant that should be 
more popular, and would be so if better known. 
It makes a dense bushy growth 10 or 12 inches 
high, displaying smooth, clean, shining green 
foliage against which the distinct, rich Phlox¬ 
like flowers appear as a chaste setting. It is a 
first-class bedding plant for a summer expo¬ 
sure, blooming, freely and continuously, and 
minds neither sun nor rain. Grown in pots the 
plants are elegant in both foliage and flowers 
for the window in winter, and hardly equaled 
for bloom by any other plant. 
Vinca Rosea is a native 
of the East Indies, and 
was introduced the year 
American Independence 
was declared. Being a 
tropical plant, it delights 
in a warm, bright atmos¬ 
phere and does especi¬ 
ally well in the South. 
Its easy propagation and 
culture, together with its 
thrift and beauty, should 
secure for it increased 
attention for beds and 
borders in our Southern 
States, where its growth 
and bloom is all that 
can be desired. 
GLOBE ARTICHOKE. The Globe Artichoke is a 
form of Cynara Cardunculus, the young flower 
heads of which are boiled and served as a 
vegetable. The base of the fleshy bracts is the 
edible part and is greatly relished by many 
E ersons. The plants are grown from seeds and 
ear the second year. They grow from 3 to 6 
feet high, and are ornamental as a background 
plant, both the spiny, downy foliage and pur- 
f )le, thistle-like flowers being large and showy, 
n California and the South the plants are 
hardy, but at the North they must be protected. 
It thrives in rich, loose soil and a sunny situa¬ 
tion. _ 
HEUCHERA SANGUINEA. The species of Heu- 
chera or Alum root are natives of America, and 
found along the banks of mountain streams. 
The leaves are mostly tufted at the base of the 
plant, and are heart-shaped and somewhat 
lobed. The flower panicles push up from a foot 
to two feet in height and bear a profusion of 
small flowers in many colors from white to rich 
dark red and scarlet. The plants thrive in any 
garden, and being hardy perennials will last 
for years when once started. They are very 
showy, and when the tall graceful sprays are 
cut they make a fine decoration for the room 
or table. The plants are easily propagated from 
seeds, which should be carefully sown on sifted 
leaf-mould and sand, and very sparingly cov¬ 
ered. Keep the soil moist till the little plants 
appear, and when large enough pick them out 
into a shallow tray and get them well started 
before placing them in their garden bed. They 
will come into bloom the second season, and 
make a handsome display during summer. 
JOB'S TEARS. This interesting grass is of the 
easiest culture. Simply plant the seeds about 6 
inches apart and naif an inch deep in early 
Spring. Plant them where the sun will have free 
access to them, and stir the soil about the 
plants, but do not disturb the roots. Thus 
treated, the roots will go deep in the soil and 
the plants will withstand the drouth and heat 
of Summer. When transplanted, the roots are 
more or less injured, and being near the sur¬ 
face they will soon suffer from heat and drouth 
and the plants will die just when they should 
put forth flowers and bear "tears.” 
LAVENDER. There has been considerable interest 
in Lavender lately, and many persons inquire 
concerning its propagation ana treatment. It 
is propagated from seeds, which should be 
soaked in warm water for a day or two before 
sowing, in order that they may come up 
promptly. Sow in a seed-box in the window, 
or later in the open ground. Sow in rows and 
cover with leaf-mold or soil that will not bake. 
When the plants are large enough, transplant 
to the garden bed, setting them 6 or 8 inches 
apart. The plants branch freely and will soon 
cover the ground.. Do not disturb the flower 
spikes until they are well matured in Autumn, 
then they can be cut off and dried to place 
among clothes to prevent moths from becoming 
troublesome, as well as to impart their de¬ 
licious fragrance to your linens. 
Viola Tufted Pansy 
THE TUFTED PANSIES are a cross between pan¬ 
sies and violets, and have the rich colors and 
markings of pansies with the form and fra¬ 
grance of violets. The plants become neat little 
tufts of foliage and flowers, bearing the hot sun 
better than pansies, blooming quite as freely, 
and in many ways are preferable to pansies for 
beds. The seeds germinate readily, and seed¬ 
ling plants come into bloom 3 or 4 months from 
the time the plants appear. Plants started early 
in the Spring will bloom well from July through 
the Autumn, but the finest display of bloom is 
obtained by sowing the seeds in a prepared 
bed in July or August and setting the plants 
about 6 inches apart about the time frost ap¬ 
pears. They will thus have good growth before 
Winter, endure severe frosts, and begin to 
bloom early in the Spring. If you wish to fur¬ 
nish slight protection, surround the beds with 
boards a foot broad, set edgewise. _ 
Vinca Rosea 
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