n English gardens. It is not only a distinct form, but from
the large quantities and more durable quality of its flowers, it proves
itself a very useful subject for flower-beds and borders, where it
should have the most select companions. It is classed as a hardy,
herbaceous perennial; its woody character, and a few green leaves which
it carries throughout the winter would, however, show that it is not
strictly herbaceous. Its hardiness, too, will be questioned by many who
have tried to winter it outside, more especially in the northern parts
of Great Britain. It is only hardy under certain conditions, which, in
effect, is saying that it is not perfectly hardy. It requires a light
warm soil and a dry situation, besides which, if the winter is severe,
it should be protected with a thick covering of ashes or cocoa fibre.
This special treatment has been found needful in Yorkshire, but more
south it has been proved hardy without such precautions. The neat habit
and clusters of rich yellow flowers of this plant render it deserving of
the little extra care above indicated; this, together with the fact that
it is hardy in many parts, is a sufficient reason for naming it amongst
hardy plants.

Its flowers are produced in branched heads, dense and numerous, on stems
a foot or more high; each flower is 1in. or 11/2in. across, the five
petals being of a transparent golden yellow, distinctly veined with
orange; they are broad, and overlap each other; calyx small, and of a
dark olive-green colour; segments finely pointed. The leaves are 2in. or
more in length, lanced, but inclining to spoon shape; sessile, stout,
smooth, entire, and glaucous. Through the summer new stems are quickly
grown, which, in their turn, become topped with clusters of bloom, and
so a succession of flowers is kept up until autumn. On rockwork it is
effective, the situation, to some extent, meeting the requirements of
its somewhat tender constitution; it may also be grown well in beds or
borders, but they should be of a sandy character, and raised, unless it
is intended to take up the plants for the winter; in such positions four
or five specimens form a charming group, and nothing can be finer than
the effect of other Flaxes, of a tall and spray-like character, grown
near and amongst this golden yellow, such, for instance, as _L.
Narbonnense_ and _L. perenne_.

It is easily propagated by seeds, which should be sown in the autumn as
soon as ripe; it may also b