Hardy Perennials and Old Fashioned Flowers | Page 4

common British plant, or, I may say, weed, which can live in
the most reeky towns, only mentioned here to introduce A. P. fl.-pl.,
which is one of the most useful of border flowers. I am bound to add,

however, that only when in flower is it more presentable than the
weedy and typical form; but the grand masses of pure white
bachelors'-button-like flowers, which are produced for many weeks in
succession, render this plant deserving of a place in every garden. It is a
very old flower in English gardens. Some 250 years ago Parkinson
referred to the double flowering kind, in his "Paradise of Pleasant
Flowers," as a then common plant; and I may as well produce Gerarde's
description of the typical form, which answers, in all respects, for the
double one, with the exception of the flowers themselves: "The small
Sneesewoort hath many rounde and brittle braunches, beset with long
and narrowe leaues, hackt about the edges like a sawe; at the top of the
stalkes do grow smal single flowers like the fielde Daisie. The roote is
tender and full of strings, creeping farre abroade in the earth, and in
short time occupieth very much grounde." The flowers of this plant are
often, but wrongly, called "bachelors' buttons," which they much
resemble.
For cutting purposes, this plant is one of the most useful; not only are
the blooms a good white, but they have the quality of keeping clean,
and are produced in greater numbers than ever I saw them on the single
form. Those requiring large quantities of white flowers could not do
better than give the plant a few square yards in some unfrequented part
of the garden; any kind of soil will suit it, but if enriched the bloom will
be all the better for it. The roots run freely just under the surface, so
that a large stock may soon be had; yet, fine as are its flowers, hardy
and spreading as the plant proves, it is but seldom met with. Even in
small gardens this fine old flower should be allowed a little space.
Transplant any time.
Flowering period, June to August.

Aconitum Autumnale.
AUTUMN MONK'S-HOOD; Nat. Ord. RANUNCULACEÆ.
Hardy, perennial, and herbaceous. This is one of the finest subjects for

autumn flowering. The whole plant, which stands nearly 3ft. high, is
stately and distinct (Fig. 2); the leaves are dark green, large, deeply cut
and veined, of good substance, and slightly drooping. The flowers are a
fine blue (a colour somewhat scarce in our gardens at that season),
irregularly arranged on very stout stems; in form they exactly resemble
a monk's hood, and the manner in which they are held from the stems
further accords with that likeness. These rich flowers are numerously
produced; a three-year-old plant will have as many as six stout stems
all well furnished, rendering the specimen very conspicuous.
This is one form of the Monk's-hood long grown in English gardens,
and is called "old-fashioned." A. japonicum, according to some, is
identical with it, but whether that is so or not, there is but a slight
difference, and both, of course, are good.
I find it likes a rich deep soil. It is propagated by division of the roots
after the tops have turned yellow in autumn or winter.
It flowers from August until cut down by frosts.
[Illustration: FIG. 2. ACONITUM AUTUMNALE.
(About one-tenth natural size.)]

Allium Moly.
LARGE YELLOW GARLIC; Nat. Ord. LILIACEÆ.
A hardy bulbous perennial, of neat habit, with bright golden flowers,
produced in large heads; they endure a long time and are very effective;
it is by far the best yellow species. Where bold clumps of yellow are
desirable, especially if somewhat in the background, there can be few
subjects more suitable for the purpose than this plant; both leaves and
flowers, however, have a disagreeable odour, if in the least bruised. It is
a very old plant in English gardens, and is a native of the South of
Europe. Its chief merits are fine colour, large head, neat habit, and easy
culture. The flowers are 1in. across, borne in close heads, having stalks

over an inch long springing from stout scapes; the six long oval petals
are of a shining yellow colour; the seed organs also are all yellow and
half the length of petals; the scape is about a foot high, naked, round,
and very stout; the leaves are nearly as broad as tulip leaves, and
otherwise much resemble them.
Flowering period, June to August.

Allium Neapolitanum.
NEAPOLITAN ALLIUM; Nat. Ord. LILIACEÆ.
This has pure white flowers arranged in neat and effective umbels, and
though not so useful in colour as the flowers of A. Moly, they are much
superior to those of many of the genus.
Flowering period,