Beauty of leaves and flowers both considered, few-plants among the long lists of hardy perennials give, year after year, more satisfaction than the funkias, plantains or day lilies, as they are generally called with us. To be appreciated they must be seen growing to perfection, and that means leaving them undisturbed in good soil until they form good sized clumps, which usually takes several years. We have seen them forming perfect hemispheres of green, every leaf as regularly placed as if by art, and shedding water like a shingle roof. A well-grown plant has a noble aspect and an elegant outline. Some varieties have a bold palm-like foliage ; others are like the aspidistra.

A Good Plant of Siebold's FUNKIA : From Gardening Illustrated.

They bear in profusion spikes of lily-like flowers, with long graceful stems, exceedingly useful where cut-flowers are wanted for jars and vases. They last well in water, but the individual flowers are short lived - most of them flowers of a day; but others bloom daily, and the faded ones can be easily removed, the flowering stalks retaining their beauty a long time in water. They are beginning to be used for pot culture and are exceedingly attractive. A good plant makes a fine subject for exhibition purposes. They are fine for small lawns, borders of shrubbery, rock-work and wild gardening, but we do not think them adapted to edging beds, as is often attempted ; well-grown plants take too much room, while small, newly transplanted ones look weak and thin. If wanted in winter they should be potted in the fall and put in cold-frames, and brought gradually on, forcing being done slowly if good foliage is wanted. The best means of propagation is by dividing the old clumps as early as the frost leaves in the spring. Cut the clumps clean through with a sharp spade, leaving several crowns to each portion. There is some confusion among botanists regarding the genus from the number of synonyms and garden varieties.

The variegated-leaved varieties of F. ovata and F. lancifolia are favorites for pot culture. F. Sieboldiana has magnificent leaves, of a bluish metallic green; this tone is intensified by good soil and cultivation. F. grandiflora, ovata and Fortunei are considered the best other sorts. The flowers range in color from violet to purest white. The fragrance of some varieties is unexcelled and of a notable delicacy. The genus is an admirable one.