The Self-Heal (Prunella Grandiflora)

The Self-Heal (Prunella Grandiflora) is a purple-flowered dwarf perennial, flowering in early summer.

The Florists' Pyrethrums

The Florists' Pyrethrums are frequently grown under name and increased by division; but seeds of good mixed single and double strains are procurable, and will yield pretty varieties of different colours. The Fern-like foliage of these Pyrethrums, pushed early in spring, is attractive.

The Ramondias

The Ramondias were specially mentioned in my previous notes on rock plants, and I need only add now that they may be raised from seed if desired.

Romneya Coulteri

Romneya Coulteri, the Californian Tree Poppy, with its large, shimmering white flowers, the beauty of which is greatly enhanced by the golden stamens and cut leaves, is a glorious plant, and one which every grower of hardy plants ought to try. It is of shrubby habit. Although nominally hardy, it should be given a sheltered position, where, in deep rich soil, it will grow into a splendid object in June.

The Cone Flowers (Rudbeckia)

The Cone Flowers (Rudbeckia) are largely grown in herbaceous borders, and Newmanii, or Speciosa, which grows about eighteen inches high, and bears orange-yellow, dark-centred flowers in July, is particularly popular. Californica, yellow and brown, is a much taller plant. Laciniata Flore Pleno (Golden Glow), with double yellow flowers, is very fine. All of these can be grown from seed.

Two at least of the perennial Soapworts (Saponaria) are worth growing - Ocymoides, a pink trailer, flowering late in spring; and Officinalis Flore Pleno, double rose, fragrant, blooming in summer.

The Saxifrages

The Saxifrages are dainty rock plants, and it is highly interesting to grow them from seed. Practically all are spring bloomers. Aizoon, white, leaves with silvery margins, dwarf; Cordifolia Splendens (Megasea), crimson, a relatively large plant, with broad, thick, evergreen leaves; Cotyledon, with red spots, silvery foliage, a tall plant; Hostii, white with purple spots, leaves encrusted with silver, dwarf; Hypnoides, white, dwarf; Longifolia, white, graceful spikes eighteen inches high, leaves encrusted with silver; Muscoides Atropurpurea, purplish rose, dwarf; and Macnabiana, white with crimson spots, twelve to eighteen inches high, are a few specially interesting Saxifrages which may be raised from seed.

The Caucasian Scabious (Scabiosa Caucasica)

The Caucasian Scabious (Scabiosa Caucasica) is one of our best hardy perennials, as the large blue flowers are particularly rich in colour. It grows about two feet high, and blooms in summer. There is a white variety of it.

The Stonecrops (Sedum)

The Stonecrops (Sedum) are much esteemed as rockery plants, particularly Amplexicaule, yellow; Rupestre, yellow; Fabaria, pink; and Sempervivoides, scarlet. Seed of all these can be got.