Ragged-Robin, or Lychnis foe cuculi, a native of our meadows, when double-flowered, makes a beautiful ap pearance, and is, of course, perfectly hardy. The varie ties of L. dioica, with double red and with double white flowers, are also very showy : In England, these often get the name of red and white Bachelors' Buttons, while in Scotland this name is more commonly given to the double varieties of Ranunculus aconitifolius and acris. The plan tain-leaved crow-foot (Ranunculus amplcxicaulis) may be mentioned as a desirable spring plant, displaying its pure white flowers in April and May : it succeeds best in a strong loam.
Of the Garden Rocket or dame's violet (Hesperis matro izalis,) there are are double white and double purple varie ties ; the former is the kind generally seen in gardens, the latter being rare. They are both excellent border flowers, being at once showy and fragrant. If the stock•plants be allowed to remain long without transplanting, they are apt to die off ; a supply should therefore be prepared by slips or cuttings every year.
The Virginian Spiderwort (Tradescantia Virginica) with fine blue flowers, and the varieties with red and with white flowers, should not be omitted ; they grow best in a mixture of loam and peat-earth. The hell-flowered Pentstemon (P. campanulata) is a fine peach-coloured flower ; the Uvula rias are uncommon looking yellow flowers, particularly U. grandiflora and sessilifolia ; and some species of Solomon's seal, particularly Convallaria polygonatum and multiflora, afford greenish-white blossoms.
If the Asiatic Globe-flower (Trollius ?isiaticus) be not planted in a bed by itself, it .may be introduced into the bor der, where its rich orange flowers are very brilliant ; it re quires a strong loam. The common globe-flower of our upland meadows (T. Europeus) may also have a place, the flowers being handsome and of a fine yellow, and being the lucken gowans mentioned by Burns in his poems.
In any moist and rather shady 'situation, the American cowslip (D odecatheon Meadia) will grow and freely dis play its very elegant flowers in the month of May. If some peat-earth be mixed with the soil, the plant becomes more strong. Barrenwort (Epimedium alfzinum) is a plant of considerable beauty, which thrives in similar situations.
488. Among low-growing flowers for the front of the border, the double purple Jacobea (Seneeio elegans) holds a distinguished place. It is, strictly speaking, only an an nual ; but the double variety is continued by cuttings. If a
few small plants be preserved in the green-house during winter, they will afford cuttings in the spring, which, as soon as they are well established, are to be planted out in the borders. There is also a variety with double white flowers, which is not uncommon in gardens in the vicinity af London.
Several Phloxes are very ornamental, particularly the 7.ommon Lychnidea (P. suaveolens) with variegated leaves ; the early flowering, P. divaricata; P. subulata or awl-leaved, and P. setacea or fine-leaved ; with P. ovata, and P. stolonifera or creeping. Phlox subulata should be allowed to form a large patch on the ground in front of the border, being in this way extremely brilliant when in flow er; in this way, too, the plant suffers less during winter. This species and the P. setacea are hest propagated by cut ings ; the others, by parting the roots in autumn.
The great flowered Siberian Fumitory (Fumaria nobilis) is very handsome, and continues long in flower. F. formosa, remarkable for its delicate blush coloured blossoms, may also be noticed ; and the yellow species (F. lutea) is valua ble, as affording a patch of this colour in the border from April to November.
Our common Bloody Crane's-bill (Geranium sanguitzezim) is not unworthy of a place ; and the same may be said of the striped variety, commonly called Geranium Lancastri ense. The streaked crane's bill ((1. striatum) is a delicate looking flower, which generally pleases.
The yellow species of Monkey-flower (114imu/us /uteufr) introduced about 1812, is an acquisition, as it is rathei pret ty, and continues several months in flower : Though a na tive of Chili, it proves quite hardy. Different species of Oenothera arc of humble growth, and produce fine yellow flowers, particularly CE. Frascriana, fruticosa, and pumila. Patches of the purple Alyssum (Fursetia delloidea) arc very beautiful in the spring and early part of summer, when covered with flowers. A common native plant, Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is likewise very showy in the early part of the year ; a large patch of it makes a brilliant appearance for several weeks ; being naturally a marsh plant, it grows best in a moist border. Feather-grass (Stipa pennata,) when its long and delicate awns are displayed in August and September, is justly admired for its light and airy appearance.