479. Of the tall-growing perennials, one of the most or namental is the double-flowered Scarlet Lychnis already mentioned (Lychnis.chalcedonica, fl. pl.) The large heads of flowers have a most brilliant appearance in the back part of a flower-border. Every attention should be paid by those fond of fine flowers to the propagating of this plant.
Several sterns sh ould with this view ble cut down before the flower appear : these are to be divided into pieces live or six inches long, which are stripped of leaves, except at the top, and sunk up to the leaves in the earth ; they are cover ed for a few weeks with a hand•glass, and may either be planted out in the autumn, or allowed to remain under the glass till the spring. There is a white-flowered single va riety, which is also deserving of a place.
480. The hyssop-leaved Dragon's-head (Dracocephalum Ruyschiana,) and the great-flowered (D. grandylorum,) are elegant blue flowers. The Silver-rod, or branched asphodel (Asphodelua ramosus,) is a good border plant, with fine white flowers. Two species of Mullein, the rusty flowered and the purple (Verbascum ferrugincum and pha, niceum.) may be admitted ; together with the fine branch ed Lythrum (L. virgatum), which is covered for about three months with purple flowers. Two or three spe cies of the extensive genus Centaurea deserve to be cultivated ; such as C. orientalis, with yellow flowers ; C. Caucasica, with white flowers, and C. montana, with blue flowers ; all of them hardy perennials. The ble Siberian Larkspur (Delphinium datum) has flowers of a fine dark azure colour. Phlox- pyramidalis and P. paniculata are handsome showy flowers, of a pale bluish purple colour ; of the latter there is also a white variety. The linear-leaved Willow-herb (Epilabium angustissimum) is worthy of a situation in the border, the foliage being fine, and the flower large, of a beautiful purplish red colour. Black Masterwort (Astrantia major) being of a singular appearance, may perhaps also merit a place. Coreopsis verticellata is an ornamental plant, and produces flowers of a fine deep yellow colour. Different species of Speedwell are elegant ; particularly Veronica Virginiana, with blush coloured and with white flowers ; and V. longffolia (for
merly maritima) with blue, white, and flesh-coloured flow ers. The variegated Wolf's-bane (Aconituin variegatum) is a very pretty plant ; and the large flowers of Rudbeckia purpurea make a good appearance. Liao* spicata de serves a place in every collection.
The Acanthus mollia grows best when its roots get into the crevices of an old wall, near to the foot of which it may happen to be planted. In such a situation it will flower every year ; while in a rich border soil, flowers seldom ap pear. The leaves of this plant accidentally surrounding a basket, are supposed to have given rise to the Corinthian capital.
Of the fine genus Spireca, which is partly herbaceous and partly shrubby, two species are common natives. S. uhuaria or queen of the meadow, and S. filipendula or dropwort. Double flowered varieties of both these are kept in gardens; but it is worthy of remark, that while the single queen of the meadow is exceedingly fragrant. the double-flowered variety is quite destitute of odour. S. tri foliata is very elegant ; it grows best in a peat soil, such as is generally prepared for American plants.
481. In the extensive genus Campanula or bell-flower, of which Persoon enumerates more than a hundred spe there are several showy perennials. Such are the peach-leaved or C. persicifolia, with single blue and single white flowers, and with double flowers of both colours: a very large flowered variety of the single blue, deserves particular attention ; it has been figured in the Botanical Magazine as a distinct species, under the title of C. maxi ma. The nettle-leaved bell-flower, (C. trachelium), when double, forms a showy border flower. The pyramidal or steeple bell-flower (C. pyramidal's) is highly prized as an ornament in halls, being for this purpose often kept in pots. In the open border the plant requires a sheltered warm situation ; and when seeds are wanted, it is found useful to fix in the ground four stakes with niches at top, to receive a hand-glass to cover the plant during heavy rains.
482. The ornamental plants which are of middling size are so numerous, that it is somewhat difficult to make a selection.