SOME PRUNINGS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7778, 4 February 1891, Page 6

SOME PRUNINGS.

The Carpathian Bellflower is a delightful campanula, and botanically called C. carpatica. It is of very free growth, unlike some of the dwarfer Deliflowers, which seem to have an irresistible desire to die when planted for a time. The Carpathian bellflower may be planted with good effect on the rockery, especially against some rocky ledge from whence the growth can hang over, in the border to make a broad edging, or a? a carpet to plants of a taller habit, in the way that the beautiful tufted pansiea are frequently used. It may be very easily raised from seed, but it will be well to perpetuate the white form Carpatica alba by cuttings, as it does not reproduce itself very true from seed. We have much to learn about bellflowers yet. It is a beautiful family, neglected, like many other charming groups of plants, but some day will, perhaps, gee proper recognition. Little use is made of such gems as isophylla for baskets, or the little muralis, or Portenschlagiana. We have seen baskets filled with these, which were far prettier than even the graceful ivy-leaved pelargon- '< iums.— -FieUL. •

Perennial Sunflowers.--There are other sunflowers besides the quaint annual too common in many gardens, though they do not seem to be known. Of coarse the common EL multiflorus is everywhere, in the large and small garden, creating large masses of yellow in the cottager's plot, very rich, especially when of the doable type. This old favourite seems to live in any soil, in any place, and makes welcome colour in the garden; but we would rather draw attention now to such tail, graceful kinds as stromosus. It rises to several feet in height, each shoot gracefully bent with she weight of rich yellow flowers, each vbout the size of a five shilling-piece, but Crowded thickly together on the seems. A row of this on the outskirts of the lawn or waving to and fro in the border is delightful, yet few have it. Nothing could be easier to grow. The plant seems to do anywhere. A small piece put in late in spring is now sft high, and one sheet of rich yellow. Then we have one called giganteum, also graceful; and decapetalus and orgyalis, all resembling one another, though having differences. One only is really required, and that one should be etrumosus, as the flowers, as far as we have seen them, are larger and richer than those of the others. EL Isetiflorusis also a good type. Dwarfer than these is EL rigidus or Harpalium rigiduoi, a wellknown border plant, very rich and free. The laree garden gives many opportunities for growing the tall perennial sunflowers* They look well amongst or near shrubs, over which they can throw the racemes of flowers, in a similar place to that in which we havp advised Michaelmas daisies to be planted. Once they make a start, there is no fear of ultimate success, as they have tremendous vigour.