*Lavatera arborea.—This plant, which has the appearance of a small tree, attains in the southern counties the height of nearly 10 ft. The stem is simple for some distance, and then branches into a broad, compact, roundish, and very leafy head. It may be used to adorn warm and sheltered parts of pleasure-grounds and rough places. In rich well-drained beds it would prove a worthy companion for the Ricinus and the Cannas. It is most at home on dry soils, but during the summer months thrives on all. When planted in the shelter of a south wall it has been known to live for several years and to have almost woody stems from 2 ins. to 4 ins. in diameter at the base. Italy.
*Ligularia macrophylla (Large-leaved L.).—A vigorous perennial, with an erect stem nearly 3½ ft. high, and very large, glaucous, erect, long-stalked, oval leaves. The flowers are yellow, and are borne in a dense long spike at the end of the stem. The most suitable soil for this plant is that which is free, moist, and somewhat peaty. Multiplied by careful division in autumn or in spring. It is a useful subject for grouping with fine-leaved herbaceous plants, but will seldom command a place in the select flower-garden. Caucasus.
*Malva crispa.—A vigorous-growing annual, 3 to 6½ ft., or more, in height, growing in an erect, pyramidal bush of densely-crowded, broad leaves, with a very undulating curled or frizzled margin. The flowers are small, white, and inconspicuous. Bushes of this are pretty in groups, beds, or borders. It may be sown in cool frames and put out early in May, by which means strong plants may be obtained early in the season.
*Martynia lutea.—A very pretty annual from Brazil, about 1½ ft. high, with roundish leaves and handsome yellow flowers, collected in cylindrical clusters at the angles of the principal branches. It requires a light, rich, cool soil, a warm position, and frequent watering in summer. Its large leaves and ornamental bloom make it a desirable subject for beds, groups, and borders. Increased by seed.
*Megaseas.—Some parts of pleasure-grounds for which there may be a difficulty in finding any subject that will either thrive in such places, or that is not too commonplace to be thought of, may be very advantageously occupied by a few specimens of Megasea cordifolia and M. crassifolia, the large, leathery, persistent leaves of which will, in such positions, preserve their freshness through the winter, and in the earliest days of spring be surmounted by dense clusters of very pleasing rose-coloured flowers. These plants are very hardy perennials, and will require hardly any care after planting them. They are well suited for embellishing cascades and rough rockwork, are not fastidious as to soil, and are easily multiplied by division of the tufts.
Melanoselinum decipiens.—An umbelliferous shrub, from Madeira, with a round simple stem, bare below, and large spreading compound leaves with oval toothed segments and sheathing leaf-stalks. Flowers white, borne in umbels. Should be planted out in May. A useful subject for isolation on grass-plats, etc., and requiring greenhouse or warm-frame treatment in winter. Young plants are to be preferred for ornamental purposes. Multiplied by seed.