HEDYSARUM MULTIJUGUM.—South Mongolia. Hardly ten years have elapsed since this pretty shrub was introduced into England, so that at present it is rather rare in our gardens. It is a decided acquisition, if only for the production of flowers at a time when these are scarce. Usually the flowering time is in August, but frequently in the first weeks of October the pretty flowers are still full of beauty. It is of bushy habit, from 4 feet to 5 feet high, with oblong leaflets, in number from twenty to thirty-five, which are Pea-green above and downy on the under sides. Flowers bright red, and produced in axillary racemes. It is perfectly hardy, and grows freely in porous decomposed leaf-soil.
HELIANTHEMUM.
HELIANTHEMUM HALIMIFOLIUM.—Spain, 1656. This species is of erect habit, 3 feet or 4 feet high, and with leaves reminding one of those of the Sea Purslane. It is an evergreen, and has large bright yellow flowers, slightly spotted at the base of the petals.
H. LAEVIPES (syn Cistus laevipes).—South-western Europe. A dwarf shrub, with Heath-like leaves, and yellow flowers that are produced in great abundance.
H. LASIANTHUM (syns H. formosum and Cistus formosus).—Spain and Portugal, 1780. This is a beautiful species, but not hardy unless in the South and West. It has large, bright yellow flowers, with a deep reddish-purple blotch at the base of each petal.
H. LAVENDULAEFOLIUM has lavender-like leaves, with the under surface hoary, and yellow flowers. A native of the Mediterranean regions.
H. LIBONATES.—This species bears dark green Rosemary-like leaves, and yellow flowers that are produced very abundantly. South Europe.
H. PILOSUM.—South of France, 1831. This bears white flowers that are of good substance, and about an inch across.
H. POLIFOLIUM (syn H. pulverulentum).—Europe (Britain), and North Africa. This is a neat-growing shrub, of very dwarf growth, with hairy leaves and yellow flowers; and H. polifolium roseum, has pretty rosy-red flowers.
H. UMBELLATUM.—South Europe, 1731. A neat, small-growing species, with white flowers and glossy-green leaves covered with a rusty-white tomentum beneath.