nts are young, as
it is very impatient of being disturbed when once established. It would
make a capital edging plant for small shrubs, to come next the grass,
backed by a row of _Erica carnea_, which is also dwarf, a continued
bloomer and contemporaneous. Its propagation can only be readily
effected in this climate by cuttings, as it does not ripen seed well; it
cannot be divided, because generally the little shrub has a short bole,
therefore, cuttings must be struck from the previous year's growth; they
should be dibbled into fine sand and peat, kept shaded and cool for
several weeks; they root quicker during the warm season, when they are
also less liable to be over-watered, which is a very common cause of
failure in striking cuttings; they should be well rooted before the
winter sets in.

Flowering period, May to July.

Lobelia Cardinalis.

CARDINAL FLOWER; _Nat. Ord._ LOBELIACEAE.

This is one of the finest herbaceous perennials that bloom in October;
stately, brilliant and lasting. There are many varieties of it, and of
late years some extra fine sorts have been raised and named, all of
which are good. The varieties differ much in the foliage as well as the
flowers, some being much larger, and of a dark brown or reddish colour.
The illustration (Fig. 60) is drawn from the typical form, which has
smooth foliage; it is not so large as some of the varieties, but it
seemed desirable to figure the type, otherwise the varieties might have
proved misleading. To a more than ordinary extent this plant is called
by its common name, "the Cardinal Flower," and I have very frequently
found that it has not been recognised by its proper name, even by
amateurs who had long grown it. "Is that tall plant a Lobelia?" has
often been asked; therefore, common as the plant is, I thought it might
prove useful to give an illustration. One of its valuable qualities is
that it flowers for a very long time, beginning about the latter end of
August and continuing until stopped by frosts. In the early part of
October it is simply grand, as then not only the main stems, but the
lower ones, are all furnished with their brilliant colouring.

[Illustration: FIG. 60. LOBELIA CARDINALIS.

(One-twelfth natural size.)]

This "old-fashioned" plant grows 2ft. or 3ft. high; the flowers are
produced in terminal spikes on stout, round, and well-foliaged stems;
each flower has a slender stalk, starting from the axil of a rudimentary
leaf. T