Part 10

_Chrysánthemums._ There are few of this genus of any consequence as herbaceous plants, except the varieties of _C. sinénse_, of which there are about fifty, all desirable; but in small gardens, where there is a deficiency in room, the following are select in colour and quality: _Tubulòsum álbum_, quilled white; _supérbum_, superb white; _díscolor_, large lilac; _fúlvum_, Spanish brown; _atropurpùreum_, early crimson; _involùtum_, curled lilac; _fasciculàtum_, superb cluster yellow; _serotìnum_, late pale purple; _papyràceum_, paper white; _Waratáh_, yellow Waratah; _versícolor_, two-coloured red; _stellàtum_, starry purple; _verecúndum_, early blush; and _mutábile_, changeable pale buff. To grow these in perfection, they require rich light soil; and about the end of this month the roots should be lifted, divided, and planted into fresh soil, either by giving them a new situation, or changing the earth they were in. Two or three stems together are quite sufficient. The flowers, by the above treatment, will be much larger, more double, and finer in colour; where they are wanted to grow low and bushy, top them in June, but not later than the first of July. Where the soil is rich, and the plant having only one stem, by topping it, makes a beautiful bush. They are in flower from the first of October until severe frost; thus beautifying our gardens at a season when they would be destitute of one single attraction. If the season is dry, to water them with liquid manure will add to their vigour. They are all natives of China, and greatly esteemed by the Chinese, who only allow a few blooms to come out on the top of each stem, thereby having the flowers much finer.

_Clématis_, Virgin's-bower. A few species are good herbaceous plants, of upright growth, and blue flowers, _C. integrifòlia_; _C. angustifòlia_; and _C. erécta_; they grow best in light soil.

_Coreópsis_, chiefly native plants, and free-flowering; colour principally yellow; flowers rayed. _C. tenuifòlia_, _C. verticilláta_, _C. díscolor_, and _C. trípteris_, are the finest of the genus, and will grow in any common garden soil.

_Delphínums._ There are some showy border flowers of these, of strong growth. The leaves are much divided; the flowers in terminale spikes; colour blue, purple, red, white and yellow, with various shades. _D. grandiflòrum_, with its varieties, are the best of the genus. _D. intermèdium_, and its varieties, _D. elátum_, Bee Larkspur, from the ringent part of the flower being very like a bee, and _D. montánum_, are good varieties, and easily cultivated. When the plants become large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh soil. They are in bloom from May to September.

_Diánthus._ Some of the species of this genus are the most prominent of the Flower-garden, not only for their beauty, but also their fragrance, which is peculiarly grateful, especially in the well known and celebrated pink and carnation, with the Sweet-william, which was esteemed, in the days of old, "for its beauty to deck up the bosoms of the beautiful, and garlands and crowns for pleasure." The finest species are _D. barbàtus_, and _D. barbàtus plèno_, Sweet-william; _D. discolor_; _D. chinènsis_; _D. alpínus_, _D. supérbus_; _D. caryophyllus_, from which have originated the Picotee and the Carnation; _D. plumàrius_, from which originated the Double Pink; _D. fràgrans_ and _D. supérbus_. Several of these, although they will stand the severest cold, have to be protected in frames during winter, to have them in the perfection of beauty. For the character of a Pink and Carnation, see _May_.

_Dictámnus._ Two species of this genus, _D. fraxinélla_ and _D. álbus_, have been cultivated and esteemed upwards of two hundred and forty years. A plant of the first of these species, when gently rubbed, emits an odour like that of lemon-peel; and when bruised emits a balsamic scent, which is strongest in the pedicles of the flowers. They have glands of a rusty colour, that exude a viscid juice, or resin, which exhales in vapour, and in a dark place may be seen to take fire. Its flowers are red, those of the other white, in loose terminale spikes; the flower has five petals, clawed and unequal, with glandular dots; in bloom from May to July; delights in sandy loam.

_Dodecàtheon._ This is a native genus, and commonly called American cowslip. The generic term, a name of the Romans, signifying twelve gods or divinities, is applied with great absurdity to a plant, a native of a world the Romans never saw nor had any idea of, neither resembling, in any particular, the poetical fancy of their writers. The most admired species is _D. mèdia_; the flowers are in umbels, on a pedicle, from six to twelve inches high; the corolla is rotata reflexa, colour light purple, bottom of petals lake and yellow; blooming in May. The white variety is very much esteemed, and surpasses the preceding. The ground is pure white, the bottom of the petals the same as the other. There is also a spotted variety found on the banks of the Missouri. They delight in brown loam, a half shady situation, inclining to moisture. The foliage soon decays after flowering.

_Digitàlis_, Fox-glove, about forty species of annuals and herbaceous plants. A few are cultivated in the flower borders, and are very showy. These are D. _leucophæa_, D. _ferrugínea_, D. _ochroleùca_, large yellow; and D. _purpuráscens_; and are good species. D. _purpúrea_ and D. _álba_, are very conspicuous biennials; the flowers are solitary, and in long spikes; the corolla of D. _purpúrea_ is campanulate, ventricose, and ringent; the interior is spotted, and is considered the finest of the genus. Delights in poor soil, with a little shade.

_Eupatóriums._ These generally are native plants, not worthy of notice here, except for two species. _E. c[oe]lestínum_ has syngenesious flowers in flattened panicles, colour fine light blue, blooming from September to November, desirable for its beauty at that season. _E. aromàticum_ may be cultivated for its spicy odour; flowers white, in loose terminale panicles; blooming from August to October. Either of them will grow in common soil.

_Gentiánas_, a genus of very showy plants, and flower in great abundance. The flowers are tubular and inflated; colour generally blue. A few species are yellow, and some white; flowers in whorls, terminale, or solitary. They grow best in a light rich soil. _G. lútea_, _G. purpúrea_, _G. septémfida_. _G. acaúlis_ is a pretty dwarf growing species, and often used as edgings in flower compartments; the flower dark and light blue; interior of the corolla spotted; has a succession of flower from April to June. We have no doubt of it succeeding in our gardens, but not being plentiful, it has not been perfectly tried. A few years will exhibit it in abundance. _G. imbricàta_ and _G. conférta_. They are all fine exotics, but many of them may give place to our native species, such as _G. Catesbæí_; _G. ochroleúca_; _G. incarnàta_; with several others, and _G. crinàta_, which is a biennial, and finely fringed; colour light blue.

_Gèum._ There are only two species that are worth cultivation, viz. _G. quéllyon_, once _G. coccíneum_; and _G. hybridum_. _G. urbànum_ is sometimes cultivated for its roots, which, when chewed, sweeten the breath. They are all of easy culture. _G. quéllyon_ flowers from May to October, and is a very desirable small plant for the borders, and much esteemed in Europe.

_Hemerocállis_, Day Lily; two species, _H. fúlva_ and _H. gramínea_, flower well, and are remarkable among the border flowers for their large yellow or copper coloured corollas, some of them about six inches diameter; bloom from May to July, and will grow in almost any soil. There is a plant known in our gardens as _H. cærùlea_, which is _Fúnkia cærùlea_, and has a campanulate corolla, with a cylindrical tube; flowers in spikes; leaves ovate, accuminate.

_Hibíscus._ There are several herbaceous species very showy and handsome, _H. palústris_; _H. ròseus_; _H. militàris_; _H. speciòsus_; _H. grandiflòrus_; and _H. púngens_. They grow best in moist situations, and where these are not to be had, give them plenty of water, and plant in sandy soil enriched with decayed leaves. The flowers are about six inches in diameter, flowering up the stem, either solitary or in small bunches. _H. speciòsus_ is the most splendid, and deserves a situation in every garden. The roots in winter ought to be covered by litter, tan, or saw dust; but a better method is to lift them, and put them in the cellar, covered with dry earth, and kept from the frost. All the above mentioned species are improved by being protected during winter.

_Iris_, Flower-de-luce, has many fine species of various shades and colours, _I. subiflòra_, _I. nepalénsis_, _I. Pallàsii_, _I. pállida_, _I. cristàta_, _I. arenària_, _I. furcàta_, _I. germánica_, _I. florentìna_, _I. vérna_, and _I. susiàna_. The last is the finest of the herbaceous species; the flowers are striped, blue, brown, and spotted; but we are not certain if it will stand the severity of our winters. The roots of _I. florentìna_ is the orrice root of the druggists. They are all of easy culture in any loamy soil inclining to moisture. The bulbous species will be treated of in _September_ or _October_. Corolla six-petaled, three erect, and three reclined alternately; proceeding from spathes or sheaths with flowers in succession.

_Lìatris_ is a genus of native plants, containing several fine species, _L. squarròsa_, large purple heads of beautiful flowers; _L. élegans_; _L. paniculàta_. _L. macróstachya_, now _L. spicàta_, is a fine large growing species. They have syngenesious purple flowers in long close spikes, differing from other spiked flowering genera by blooming first at the extremity. They grow best in strong heavy soil.

_Lychnis._ Three species are very desirable in the flower borders. _L. chalcedónica_ has bright scarlet crowned flowers; the double scarlet variety is splendid. There is also a double white variety, _L. fúlgens_ and _L. flós-jòvis_. They ought to be frequently lifted, and planted afresh, or they will dwindle to nothing. The best time is when they begin to grow. There is a plant known in our collections as _Lychnis flós-cucùla_, which is now _Agrostéma flós-cucùla_; it is a fine and showy border plant with double red flowers. They delight in a light sandy rich soil.

_Lythrums._ A few species flower well, and have small pink blossoms in great profusion, _L. alàtum_, _L. virgàtum_, _L. diffùsum_, and _L. lanceolàtum_. They will grow in any common garden soil if not too much shaded; and flower from June to September.

_Mimùlus_, Monkey-flower. A few species may be cultivated. They will grow in any soil or situation. _M. lùteus_ and _M. rivulàris_ are the best. _M. moschàtus_ has a very strong musk scent, to many agreeable. We think it will prove hardy. The two former have large gaping flowers, of a gold yellow, and beautifully spotted with purple in the interior.

_Monárdas_, a fine native genus and showy. The foliage of several of the species is aromatic, and resembles mint. _M. dídyma_ has long scarlet ringent flowers, in headed whorls; _M. kalmiana_, flowers very long, and a beautiful crimson, with fragrant leaves. _M. Russelliana_ has red and white flowers; curious and handsome. _M. punctata_ has yellow and red flowers; they grow in any common soil.

_Mathíola_, is the generic of the Stock-gilly. None of them will survive severe winters; yet many of them are indispensable in the Flower-garden. _M. simplicicáulis_, Brompton-stock, and its varieties; with _M. incàna_, Queen-stock, and its varieties, require the protection of a good frame in winter, and about the end of this month, or beginning of next, plant them in good light rich soil to flower, which they will do all summer, if attended to with frequent supplies of water. _M. ánnua_ has about sixteen varieties, valuable for flowering the first year from seed, and are all annuals. They ought to be sown on a gentle hot-bed about the first of this month, and carefully pricked out so as they may be ready to transplant about the end of April or the first of May. Plant them in light rich soil, and they will flower profusely through the season; if it is very dry, they must be watered to keep them growing. The scarlet, white, and purple varieties are the finest; but there are many intermediate sorts all handsome. _M. glàbra_ is the Wall-flower leaved stock, and requires the same treatment as the two former. There are about eight varieties of this, all various in colour. In planting any of these into the open ground, choose cloudy weather, except they have been in pots; in such case, plant at any time in beds, keeping each kind separate.

_[OE]nothèras._ The most of them are indigenous, and in Europe they afford a continual ornament to the Flower-garden from April to November, but in our gardens they are entirely neglected. By rejecting these and many others, our Flower-gardens are deprived both of much beauty and interest they might easily possess. These plants delight in light rich soil. _[OE]. odoràta_, sweet scented; _[OE]. macrocárpa_; _[OE]. mèdia_; _[OE]. latiflòra_; _[OE]. Frazèri_; _[OE]. speciòsa_; and _[OE]. pállida_; are all fine native herbaceous plants, mostly with large yellow four-petaled corollas; in bloom from April to September. There are several of them beautiful annual and biennial plants. For the finest, see list.

_Phlóx_, another American genus, and one of the most handsome in cultivation. It consists of elegant border flowers, valuable for flowering early, and more so for blossoming late in autumn. While the majority of plants blooming late in the season are generally syngenesious, with yellow flowers, these delight us with their lively colours of purple, red, and white. A collection of them properly attended to, would of themselves constitute a beautiful flower garden. It will be difficult to state which are the finest, but the following are select varieties: P. _paniculàta_; P. _acuminàta_; P. _intermèdia_; P. _odoràta_; P. _pyramidàlis_; with _pyramidàlis álba_, which is splendid; P. _suavèolens_; P. _refléxa_; P. _stolonífera_; P. _pilòsa_; P. _divaricàta_; P. _nivàlis_; and P. _subulàta_. In the spring of 1831, an eminent British collector[A] exclaimed, on seeing a patch of P. _subulàta_ in one of the pine barrens of New Jersey, "The beauty of that alone is worth coming to America to see, it is so splendid." Most of the species delight in a rich light sandy loam. When the plants become large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh ground.

[A] Mr. Drummond.

_Prímulas_, Primrose. To this genus belong the celebrated _Cowslip_, _Oxlip_, _Primrose_, and the esteemed _Aurícula_. The double varieties of Primrose have originated from _P. vulgàris_. These are such as carry their flowers on separate pedicles, rising from the root on a small stem. The double varieties are desirable for their beauty, but require the protection of a frame during winter. They are in colour red, white, yellow, lilac, purple, and crimson. P. _elàtior_ is the Oxlip, from which all the _Polyánthuses_ have been grown. They are in variety innumerable, and are those whose flowers are in umbels, on a scape or flower-stalk, rising from three to nine inches. The rules for judging of their merits are wholly artificial, agreed on from time to time by Florists. The one that is the leading beauty this year would in a few years be far in the rear. The principal character is that the corolla is not notched or fringed; the colours pure and distinct, not running into one another; the tube small; the eye round, and a little prominent. Being surrounded with white, and the ground purple, is a fine character. P. _aurícula_. From this the highly esteemed varieties have originated. The cultivated _aurícula_ has many admirers, both for its exquisite beauty and fragrance. For the criterion of a fine flower see _May_. There are several other species worthy of a situation, such as P. _cortusoídes_, P. _dentiflòra_, P. _suavèolens_, P. _decòra_, with P. _scótica_ and P. _farinòsa_, both small neat species. A shady situation agrees best with them; and they require loamy soil, free from any kind of manure, except it be fully decomposed. The leaves of P. _vèris_ are recommended for feeding silk worms.

_Potentíllas._ We mention this genus here as affording several free flowering dwarf plants; not as being certain that any of the most desired species will withstand our winters, being natives of Nepaul; but, from the character of the plant, we think that they are adapted to bear severe cold. They are similar to the strawberry in habit and appearance. P. _nepalénsis_, or _formòsa_, has rose-coloured flowers; P. _atropurpùrea_; P. _Russelliàna_, scarlet; P. _Hopwoodiàna_, rose and scarlet; and P. _spléndens_, yellow, with superb leaves. These are the finest of the genus, and flower from May to September. It will be well to protect them in a frame with the Carnations; they delight in light soil.

_Saponària officinàlis_, and _S. O. plèna_, are fine free-flowering dwarf plants; the colour is pink in both double and single varieties. The roots run under ground, and care should be taken to keep them within bounds: they flower from June till October. _S. cæspitòsa_ is a neat growing species of a rose colour. They will grow in any soil.

_Silène._ Several of this genus are popular annuals, but the herbaceous species are very indifferent. _S. viscósa_ and S. _viscósa flòre plèna_, are frequently cultivated for their beauty; they will grow well if not too much shaded.

_Saxífraga_, above one hundred species. Many of them are beautiful plants for rock-work. They are regardless of cold, but will not generally withstand much moisture. A few of them are highly deserving a situation in any garden. _S. hirsùtum_, and _S. crassifòlia_, are used in some countries for tanning. _S. granulàta multipléx_ has fine double-white flowers, and is desirable. _S. umbròsa_, London-pride, makes a beautiful edging for a flower border; the flowers are small, but on close examination its colours are unrivalled. It is vulgarly called, "none so pretty." _S. sarmentòsa_ is kept in the Green-house, but is perfectly hardy, and makes a fine plant in a shaded situation. We have no doubt but it would make a good fancy edging. _S. pulchélla_, straw coloured, and _S. pyramidàlis_; these are all easily cultivated; and flower in spikes from May to July.

_Spiræas._ A few species are showy plants, and continue flowering from May to September. _S. ulmària múltiplex_, Meadow-sweet, has sweet scented white flowers, in long dense spikes. _S. Filipéndula múltiplex_, Drop-wort, double white. _S. lobàta_ is a native, and has fine rose coloured flowers, in June and July; these are the finest of the herbaceous species, and will grow in any common garden soil.

_Státice_, Thrift. A genus containing many fine herbaceous plants, only a few of them are common in collections. The finest of them are scarce, and said to be "bad to cultivate." _S. vulgàris_, once _Armèria vulgàris_, is the most valuable plant for an edging, next to box, that the Flower-garden is possessed of, and does extremely well in our climate, flowering in great profusion from May to July. When done flowering, the stems should be cut off. The foliage is an agreeable evergreen; the plant increases rapidly, and in a few years may be planted to a great extent. _S. speciòsa_ has red flowers, crowded in spreading panicles. _S. tatàrica_ has also very showy flowers, and is now given to the genus _Taxànthema_. _S. latifòlia_ and _S. maritìma_ are the finest. _T. latifòlia_ and _T. conspícua_ deserve attention. They should be lifted every alternate year, and sunk deeper into the soil, because they incline to grow out, and are sometimes during summer killed by the drought. Hence they are said to be "bad to cultivate."

_Tróllius europæus_, and _T. asiàticus_, are fine border plants, with large yellow semi-double flowers; the petals are much cupped, which causes the flowers to have a globular appearance. They are easily grown in any loamy soil, and flower from May to July. Few flowers have the curious globular character which these have.

_Verónica_, Speed-well. This genus consists of about one hundred and twenty species of herbaceous plants, besides several varieties. The flowers are in long close spikes, either white, flesh coloured, or blue; they are generally of the latter colour. Above sixty species are equally fine, and being generally of the same character, the Catalogue at the end of this work will contain the best selection that we can make. Very few of them are in the collections of the country, although they are very showy, and flower from June to August. They will grow in any soil, but will not flourish where they are much shaded. _V. officinàlis_ has been used in Germany and Sweden as a substitute for tea. Some prefer _V. chamædrys_ for the same purpose.

_Valerìanas._ Several species are showy border plants, with small flowers in large close flattened panicles. _V. dioíca_ is remarkable for having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers, situated on different plants; the flowers are of a blush colour, and the roots when planted must be protected from the cats, for they are delighted with them, and scrape them up. _V. phù_, a large growing species with white flowers; and _V. rùbra_, with its varieties, are the finest of the genus. They are now given to _Centrànthus_. They are all of easy culture in common garden earth, but preferring moist shady situations. In flower from May to September.

_Vìola_, a genus consisting of upwards of eighty species, of low pretty plants, of great diversity of colour and foliage. Many of them are natives, and well worth a situation in our gardens. They mostly delight in sandy loam, and a little shade. A few of the species grow in moist situations. The most esteemed varieties for fragrance are, _V. odoràta purpúrea plèna_, double purple, with _V. odoràta àlba plèna_, double white. They flower very early, and make good edgings where they are kept in order; flowering profusely from April to June, and flowering again in autumn.

_Yúcca_, Adam's-needle. This is a very showy and ornamental genus; their character forming a picturesque contrast in the Flower-garden; foliage long, narrow, lanceolate, and stiff; with white companulate flowers, about two inches in diameter, in conical spikes from two to four feet long, arising from the centre of the plant, containing frequently from two to four hundred florets. They are principally native plants. _Y. strícta_ is the freest flowerer. _Y. supérba_; _Y. aloifòlia_; _Y._ _angustifòlia_, _Y. acuminàta_, _Y. serrulàta_, and _Y. filamentòsa_, are all fine species, and will grow in any common soil. When in flower, if protected from the sun by an awning, they will be of considerable duration. There are variegated varieties of _Strícta_, _Aloifòlia_, and _Serrulàta_, which look very handsome in foliage, but are at present very rare, and it will be a number of years before they are plentiful. There ought at least to be one specimen of some of the free-flowering species in every garden.