Part 6

_C. conchiflòra_, shell flowered, double, a very handsome shape, petals round, stiff set, and in the centre quite erect, red with occasional splashes of white.

_C. rubricáulis_, Lady Campbell's, very double, colour very rich dark red, with stripes of pure white, beautifully contrasted. The richness of this flower is very striking, and much esteemed; flowers freely.

_C. longifòlia_ is a single red, the foliage is large, and longer than the generality of them.

_C. chandlrerii_, or versicolor, colour vivid scarlet with occasional splashes of pure white; the flowers vary, and are of long duration, from six to eight weeks; foliage large and dark glossy green.

_C. aitònia_. This variety is a beautiful specimen of a single flower affording a developement of the organ of fructification; the petals are delicately penciled, and the anthers very bold, colour pink, and the flower very large; grows freely, and, in our opinion, is surpassed by none of the single sorts, for raising fine new varieties, if impregnated with the pollen from double flowers.

_C. althæiflòra_, hollyhock-flowered, is a great beauty, with large double dark red flowers, the veins are very prominent, petals frequently irregular; foliage large, and approaches to the foliage of single red; and is much esteemed.

_C. corallìna_, coral-flowered, a very deep scarlet double flower, and bears a high character.

_C. insígnis_, a most splendid double flower, large dull red colour; a very free grower, and highly estimated.

_C. anemoneflòra álba_. Those that have seen the common _anemoneflòra_ will be disappointed in the appearance of this, not being pure white, neither properly anemone-flowered, though a very good flower, and very distinct from any other; the petals are irregular, anthers abundant, shape resembling _pompone_; flower not so large.

_C. heterophylla_. The foliage of this varies very much, a character that none of the others possess; flower double red; and merits a place in collections.

_C. Woódsii_, flower fine double, rose colour; and much has been said in its favour.

_C. bícolor_, a single flower, with a rose ground and white streaks, very pretty, but not so large as many of the single ones.

_C. speciosa_ is a most splendid variety, has been called _China striped Waratah_. The guard petals are large, round, and bold; colour red with stripes of white; the centre is full of small petals, (like _anemoneflòra_,) and spotted; the foliage large and more heart-shaped than any of the others; grows freely, flower persistent, highly esteemed, and considered one of the finest of the coloured _Caméllias_.

_C. fúlgens_, flower large, and very bright double red, approaching to _C. atro-rubens_, but more brilliant; foliage a lucid green, very smooth, young wood and wood buds have a red appearance. We have no doubt but it will seed; if so, it will be a first rate breeder.

_C. grandiflóra_, a very large single rich red flower, foliage very large; a most splendid single variety, and grows freely. It is recommended to all who wish to improve their collections by raising new varieties.

_C. rósa sinénsis_, a very large double flower, colour bright pink, petals long and full, a very distinct variety, with a beautiful dark green shining foliage, grows and flowers freely, and is highly esteemed.

C. _intermédia_, a very large flower, shape of _C. pompònia_, outside petals streaked to the extremity with a rich blush, ground colour pure white, and is in high estimation; grows and flowers freely. It is in very few collections in Europe, and only in three in the United States.

C. _rose Waratáh_. The description of this flower is the same as _anemoneflòra_, but differs in colour, and being of longer duration, the foliage is uncommonly large.

C. _Pressíi's invincible_. It has been asserted that it is the same as that known by _C. punctata_ and _C. Pressíi_. We have not seen it flower, but have seen a drawing of it, the flower equally as large as _double white_, and same shape, with the petals as regular; the ground colour brilliant red, and spotted with pure white. It is one of the newest varieties, and much valued for its unique beauty; hence called _Invincible_; foliage large.

C. _Rose Mundií_, is like the garden rose of that name; a large flower, ground colour pink streaked with white.

C. _compàcta_ is a new double white, petals and flower not so large as the common, but more compact, and is considered a very fine variety.

C. _gloriòsa_, is said to be a fine dark double red.

C. _Róssii_, is said to be a fine rich double scarlet.

_Callicòma serratifòlia_, the only species and remarkable for tufted yellow heads of flowers, which come out at the axils, and continue from May to July. The foliage is ovate lanceolate, deeply serrated, and opposite.

_Carmichælia austràlis_, the only species, has very curious foliage, which the lilac leguminose flowers come out off, and continue from April to June.

_Cunònia capénsis_, the only species, and a handsome shrub, with large pinnated shining leaves, beautifully contrasted by numerous dense elongated branches of small white flowers, and twigs of a red colour, having the habit of a tropical more than a Cape of Good Hope plant.

_Cléthra arbórea_, and _C. arbórea variagàta_, are both fine shrubs; the latter is preferable; leaves are oblong, accuminate, and serrated with a gold edge; flowers white, downy, in large branching racemose spikes, and sweet-scented; grows freely.

_Cotoneásters_. Two of this genus are deserving a situation in the Green-house, _C. denticulàta_, and _C. microphylla_; the last is a native of the mountainous districts of Nepaul, and may prove hardy; the flowers are white, small, and solitary, but in the fall it is covered with pretty red berries, and then looks beautiful; culture very easy; will grow in any situation.

_Cròwea solígna_, is amongst one of the finest and easiest cultivated plants of New South Wales. It flowers at the axils of the leaves, colour pink, with five petals, connected by entangled hairs; in flower from April to December, and frequently through the winter; foliage lanceolate, and a fine green. The plant grows neat, and requires an airy situation; drain the pots well.

_Chorizèmas_, about six species, foliage very like some varieties of the _Holly_; flowers small and papilionaceous; colour red and yellow; though small, they are very neat. C. _nàna_ and C. _ilicifòlia_ are amongst the best; if grown from seed, they will flower freely the second year; drain the pots well.

_Cineràrias_, Cape aster, about twelve belong to the Green-house. They are herbaceous, or half shrubby, soft wooded plants. C. _speciòsa_, C. _amelloídes_, (now called _Agathæa cæléstus_,) C. _purpùrea_, and C. _lanàta_, are among the finest; flowers blue or yellow; the latter is considered the handsomest of the genus. The exterior petals are bright purple, and the interior ones white, and with _A. cæléstus_, flowers most of the year; flowers syngenesious and star-like. The herbaceous species must be treated as previously mentioned for that kind of plants.

_Cístus_, or Rock rose. There are above thirty species, principally natives of Europe, consequently hardy there, and form a great ornament to their gardens, being very abundant and various in flower; but with us they will not stand the rigour of winter. We have no doubt, however, but, through time, some kinds may be grown that will withstand the greatest cold of the middle states; they are low shrubby plants of easy cultivation. C. _ladaníferus_, C. _monspeliénsis_, C. _sálignus_, C. _popolifòlius_, and C. _undulàtus_, are perhaps the best; the flowers are of short duration, frequently only for one day; but the quantity makes up this deficiency, being constantly in flower in May and June, and sometimes flower again in autumn. C. _crèticus_ is most productive of the Gum laudanum, which is secreted about its leaves and branches. The flowers are generally five-petaled, and some of them large; centre full of stamens; the foundation of the natural order _Cistinea_.

_Clématis_, Virgin's Bower. There are only six of these belonging to this, all climbing plants. C. _aristàta_ and C. _brachiàta_ are the best; flowers in racemose clusters, pure white; foliage small; and natives of the Cape of Good Hope. The foliage of C. _aristàta_ is cordate and blotched.

_Cobæa scándens_, the only species. It is a climber of very rapid growth, has been known to grow above two hundred feet in one summer; large bell-shaped flowers; when they are newly expanded, they are of a pale green colour, and change to dark purple; will grow in the garden during summer, bearing a continual profusion of flowers, but will not stand frost. When this plant becomes too large in the house, do not cut it close to the root, except there is a young shoot arising to carry off the superabundant sap, for the old wood will not push, which will soon cause a mortification.

The best method to adopt in such case is to turn back a shoot, and lay it in the ground to root, when it will become a young plant; which should always be done as soon as it appears unsightly. It does best to be planted in the ground, but will not give any satisfaction as to flowering in a pot. It will flower as an annual if sown in pots this month, and placed in a warm room or hot-bed, and planted into the garden about the end of May.

_Coroníllas_, a very few are fine species in the Green-house. C. _glaúca_ is a celebrated plant amongst us, as a free and early flowering shrub. C. _valentíana_ and C. _viminális_ are equally so, flower from April to June, colour yellow; papilionaceous flowers in clusters; agree best with shade. In summer they ought to be kept behind a fence, or under a tree, as the sun would destroy them in a few weeks. Drain the pots well.

_Corréas_, five species, all very pretty dwarf shrubs, and flower profusely; foliage ovate, cordate, and either rusty or downy beneath. C. _álba_ and C. _rúfa_ have both white flowers a little tubular. C. _pulchélla_ is a very handsome erect growing plant, flowers large and tubular, of a deep pink colour, and grows freely: it is thought the finest of the genus. C. _speciòsa_ has been long admired as a splendid free flowering plant; flowers same shape as C. _pulchélla_, but not so large; colour red and yellowish green. C. _virèns_ is a very free grower, flowers same shape as the two last, colour entirely green. These three last mentioned are abundant flowerers, having a continued succession from November to June, possessing the valuable requisite of flowering through the winter, and ought to be in every collection. They require an airy situation, and the pots to be well drained. The plants in summer must not be fully exposed to the sun.

_Cratàgus._ There are none of these belonging to the Green-house; but there is a plant in the collections, known as C. _glabra_, which is _Photínia serrulàta_, a native of China, and is a very handsome plant, has long foliage, deeply serrated, very shining. _P. arbutifòlia_, a native of California, and is the finest of the genus; flowers in large dense panicles, foliage larger than the former, and not so deeply serrated; they are both comparatively hardy, and we soon expect to see them acclimated.

_Cupréssus_ may be desired in collections, as erect and handsome growing evergreen shrubs. C. _lusitánica_, the famed cedar of Goa; C. _péndula_ and C. _juniperoídes_ are the most desirable; flowers are insignificant, and yellowish; we have no doubt they may prove hardy. C. _lusitánica_ is the handsomest tree of the genus. Its abundant, very long dichotomous branchlets, distinguish it from all the evergreens of the conoferious tribe.

_Calámpelis scábra_, once _Eccremocárpus scáber_, is a very fine climber, where there is a convenience to plant it in the ground. It will flower profusely from March to November; foliage pinnate, with tendrils; flowers from the axils on young shoots in a kind of racemose, and of a golden colour; grows freely.

_Celástris_, staff-tree, about twenty-five species; of no particular beauty. Some of them have numerous small white flowers, in cymes and panicles; foliage generally ovate, acute, and serrated. C. _pyracántha_, C. _cymósa_, C. _multiflòrus_, and C. _lúcidus_, are the most conspicuous, and all the genera are of easy culture.

_Coòkia púnctata_, Wampee-tree of China, named in honour of the celebrated Capt. Cook. The fruit is much esteemed in China, where it grows to about the size of a walnut, in bunches; leaves pinnate, ovate, lanceolate, accuminate; when rubbed, have a strong odour; flower small white in racemose spikes, of slow growth.

C. _allistàchys_. There are two of them very handsome large growing shrubs. C. _lanceolàta_ and C. _ovàta_, foliage silky-like, and light coloured; flowers yellow, papilionaceous, and very abundant.

_Davièsias_, above ten species, principally natives of New South Wales, all yellow papilionaceous flowers. _D. ulicìna_, _D. latifòlia_, _D. aciculàris_, and _D. inricssàta_, are very fine species, flower and grow freely, and require to be well drained; bloom from April to August.

_Diósmas_. This genus is now very much divided, and only contains about thirteen species: the generas that they have been given to, are _Adenándra_, _Barosma_, _Acmadènia_, and _Agathósma_. We will enumerate a few of the finest species of each. _D. capitála_, _D. oppositifólia_, _D. longifòlia_, _D. rùbra_, and _D. teretifòlia_, are the most conspicuous, all small white flowers except _D. rùbra_; foliage small, and all handsome growing evergreens.

_Adenándras_, eight species. This genus is the most select of those that have been subdivided. _A. speciòsa_, _A. umbellàta_, _A. álba_, _A. fragràns_, and _A. uniflòra_, are all splendid flowers: and all white except _A. fragràns_, which is red. Pots must be well drained.

_Barósmas_, above ten species. _B. serratifòlia_, _B. pulchèlla_, purple, _B. f[oe]tidíssima_, blush, _B. odoràta_, white, and _B. dioíca_, pink, are the finest.

_Acmadènias_, five species. _A. lavigàta_, _A. púngens_, and _A. tetragònia_, blush, are good species.

_Agathósmas_, above twenty-five species, many of them very celebrated free flowering shrubby plants. _A. accuminàta_, _A. hybrida_, _A. Thunbergiàna_, _A. imbricàta_, _A. prolífera_, _A. pátula_, and _A. pulchélla_, which is the finest of the genus, the dried leaves of which the Hottentots use as powder to mix with the grease with which they anoint their bodies. Some travellers assert that it gives them so rank an odour, that they sometimes could not bear the smell of those who were their guides. In fact the foliage of all the five last mentioned generas, if rubbed by the hand while on the plant, has a very strong smell, some of them very agreeable, others disagreeable. They are all heath-like and evergreen small neat growing shrubs. They require while growing luxuriantly to have their young shoots topped to make them bushy; drain all the pots well, and keep them in airy situations, and not crowded with other plants, or they will become slender and unsightly.

_Dryándras._ This genus is closely allied in character and habits to _Bánksia_, and contains above sixteen species. D. _nívea_, has a most beautiful foliage, very long and deeply indented. D._formòsa_, has a scent like the fruit of an Apricot. D. _nervòsa_, D. _floribúnda_, D. _armàta_, D. _plumòsa_, D. _Baxtèri_, D. _nervòsa_, and D. _falcàta_, are the most conspicuous, and all highly desirable plants in collections. They are very delicate of importation; flowers are straw and orange coloured and thistlelike. Seeds in small cones. Treat them the same as directed for _Bánksias_.

_Dillwynias_, above twelve species, and plants very little known. D. _floribúnda_, D. _teretifòlia_, and D. _phylicoides_, are desirable plants; flowers small, papilionaceous, and colour yellow. They are very liable to suffer from too much wet; while dormant, therefore, the pots must be effectually drained.

_Dampièras_, four species. The genus is named in honour of Captain W. Dampier, a famous voyager, has Lobelia-like flowers, either blue or purple. C. _purpùrea_, C. _undulàta_, and C. _strícta_, are the finest; the two former are shrubby; the latter is herbaceous; they all flower freely.

_Edwárdsias_, about four species, very beautiful foliaged plants and have very curious yellow flowers, but do not flower until the plant becomes large. _E. grandiflòra_, _E. chrysòphylla_, and _E. meirophylla_, are the best, and are tolerably hardy, though doubtful of ever being acclimated. The flowers are leguminose, foliage ovate, pinnate, from eight to forty on one footstalk, and appears to be covered with gold dust. The hardier they are grown, the more visible it will appear.

_Elichrysums_. This genus is now extinct, and two splendid species of it given to others. _E. proliferum_ is now _Phænàcoma prolífera_, and has beautiful purple everlasting rayed flowers, and highly esteemed: the foliage round, ovate, smooth, and closely imbricated. _E. spectábile_ is now _Aphélexis hùmilis_, has pine-like foliage, and large light purple flowers and everlasting; care must be taken that they are not over watered; drain the pots well.

_Enkiánthus_, only two species, both very fine. _E. quinqueflòrus_ has large ovate accuminate foliage, flowers pink, and pendulous; very handsome. _E. reticulátus_, the foliage is netted, and the flowers blush; they are liable when dormant to suffer from wet. Be sure to drain the pots well, and sparing in water while in that state.

_Epácris_, above twelve species, and all very ornamental. _E. grandiflòra_ has been celebrated ever since it was known; the foliage is small, flat, and accuminate; flowers tubular and pendulous, bright crimson, with a tinge of white, and very abundant, in flower from January to June. _E. pulchélla_ is likewise a most beautiful plant; foliage very small and closely set, flowers pure white, and in long spikes, sweet-scented. _E. impréssa_, foliage impressed, and flowers rose-coloured. _E. paludòsa_, flowers white, and grows very handsomely. _E. purpuráscens rùbra_ is a good variety, with bright red flowers. They are mostly erect growing plants; flower from March till June, and a rough, turfy, sandy soil is found most congenial. They are natives of the mountainous districts of New South Wales. The pots must be well drained; the roots will run with avidity amongst the potshreds.

_Erìcas_, heath. There are in cultivation in Europe above five hundred and fifty species and varieties of this magnificent genus. About sixty, years ago it consisted only of a few humble British plants, with the heath of Spain, _E. Mediterrànea_, which is at present most common in our collections, though in a few years we may expect to see it supplanted by others more splendid.

In their native countries, they are adapted to a great many useful purposes. In the north of Britain, the poorer inhabitants cover their cabins or huts with heath, and build the walls with alternate layers of it and a kind of cement made with straw and clay. They likewise brew ale, and distil a hot spirit from the tender shoots; and it has been known to be used in dyeing, tanning, and many other useful domestic purposes. Encomium on their beauty is not requisite; they are almost as diversified in colour as colour itself. Many are graceful, and most elegant; hundreds are pretty; a few noble and splendid; others grotesque, curious, and odoriferous. To cultivate and propagate them is one of the most delicate branches of horticulture. Nevertheless, it has been said by a scientific writer, that "those who complain of the difficulty of growing the heath are ignorant people who have never had a heath to grow." The most splendid collection in Europe is under the care of Mr. M'Nab, of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, where there are two large houses devoted to their culture; and through the whole year a continued profusion of bloom is kept up. Some of the plants are six feet in diameter, and twelve feet high. The soil used is a coarse sandy peat. Pots drained with potshreds, and pieces of freestone, are put down the sides of the large pots and tubs: where these can be had they are essential to the culture of mountainous plants, preventing them from being saturated with moisture, or from becoming dry, they being retentive of moisture, thus keeping the roots in a medium state; for if once the roots are allowed to get thoroughly dried, no art of the gardener can recover them. This may be the true reason why they are said to be difficult of cultivation.

In the summer season the pots must be kept out of the sun, for in a few hours the pot would become heated, dry the roots, and cause death, or a brownness of foliage which would never again become natural. Too much fire heat will hurt them. They only require to be kept free from frost, need a great deal of air and plenty of light; consequently, should be placed near the glass, that they may have the benefit of all the air that is admitted. Their flowers are as varied in shape as variety or colour, but they all partake of a wax-like nature, and are very persistent. For the finest and most select varieties, see the catalogue at the end of this work.

_Eròdiums_, Heron's bill. There are about thirty species, all of a Geranium character, and there are among them some very pretty flowering, soft wooded, shrubby, herbaceous, and annual plants. Only a few of them belong to the Green-house, of which _E. incarnàtum_, _E. crassifòlium_, and _E. laciniàtum_, are the finest; culture similar to _Gerànium_. The flowers of these are scarlet, pentapetalous, and veiny.

_Eucalyptus_, above fifty species of them, and the tallest growing trees of New Holland; foliage very diversified, generally of a hard glaucous texture. From their rapid growth, they soon grow higher than the loftiest house. The most conspicuous are _E. cordàta_, _E. rostràta_, _E. radiàta_, _E. pulvigéra_, _E. glòbifera_, _E. pulverulénta_, and _E. resínefera_. In Van Dieman's Land, a manufactory has been established, where a tannin is extracted from many of the species. The last mentioned produces gum, like that which the druggists call _Kino_. They ought not to be too much fostered, as it would in some degree retard their growth. They are of a very hardy nature. When large, the plants will flower freely, and are similar in flower to _Myrtle_; many stamina proceeding from a hard nut-like capsule.

_Eupatòrium._ There is only one species deserving of cultivation in the Green-house; flowers syngenesious, white, and in large flattened panicles; very sweet-scented. The plant, when growing freely, in the beginning of summer, should be topped, which would make it more bushy; if not, it is apt to grow straggling. Known as _E. elegáns_, in our collections.

_Eutáxia's_, two species. _E. myrtifòlia_ is a most beautiful free-flowering evergreen shrub; foliage small, but very neat; flowers leguminose, small, and very many; colour yellow and red; grows freely. The young plants should be frequently topped, or they will grow naked and unsightly. _E. pùngens_, similar to the other except in foliage. They flower from March to June, and ought to have a place in every Green-house. Culture very easy.

_Euchìlus obcordàtus_ is the only species: Flowers similar to _Eutàxia_; foliage almost unique, being inverse, cordate; time of flowering from March to June.