n lines in front of shrubs, or mixed with other strong-growing flowers,
such as alkanets, lupins, and foxgloves.

Alyssum Saxatile.

ROCK MADWORT, _or_ GOLDEN TUFT; _Nat. Ord._
CRUCIFERAE.

[Illustration: FIG. 3. ALYSSUM SAXATILE.

(One-third natural size.)]

This pleasing and well-known hardy, evergreen, half-woody shrub is
always a welcome flower. From its quantity of bloom all its other parts
are literally smothered (see Fig. 3). When passing large pieces of it in
full blow, its fragrant honey smell reminds one of summer clover
fields.

Its golden yellow flowers are densely produced in panicles on procumbent
stems, 12in. to 18in. long. The little flowers, from distinct notches in
the petals, have a different appearance from many of the order
_Cruciferae_, as, unless they are well expanded, there seem to be eight
instead of four petals. The leaves are inversely ovate, lanceolate,
villose, and slightly toothed. A specimen will continue in good form
during average weather for about three weeks. It is not only seen to
most advantage on rockwork, where its prostrate stems can fall over the
stones, but the dry situation is in accordance with its requirements;
still, it is not at all particular, but does well in any sunny
situation, in any soil that is not over moist or ill drained. It is
easily and quickly propagated by cuttings in early summer.

Flowering period, April and May.

Anchusa Italica.

ITALIAN ALKANET; _Nat. Ord._ BORAGINACEAE.

[Illustration: FIG. 4. ANCHUSA ITALICA (Flower Spray).

(One-third natural size.)]

A hardy herbaceous perennial of first-class merit for gardens where
there is plenty of room; amongst shrubs it will not only prove worthy of
the situation, but, being a ceaseless bloomer, its tall and leafy stems
decked with brilliant flowers may always be relied upon for cutting
purposes; and let me add, as, perhaps, many have never tried this fine
but common flower in a large vase, the stems, if cut to the length of
18in., and loosely placed in an old-fashioned vase, without any other
flowers, are more than ornamental--they are fine.

Its main features are seen in its bold leafy stems, furnished with
large, dark blue, forget-me-not-like flowers, nearly all their length.
The little white eyes of the blossoms are very telling (see Fig. 4). The
flowers are held well out from the large leaves of the main stem by
smaller ones (from 1in. to 8in. long), at the ends of which th