Chapter 2

This charming shrub, which is almost perpetually in blossom, and admirably adapted for nosegays, is a native of the south of France, and a constant ornament to our green-houses.

Linnæus has observed, that the flowers, which in the day time are remarkably fragrant, in the night are almost without scent.

"It is propagated by sowing the seeds in the spring, either upon a gentle hot-bed, or on a warm border of light earth: when the plants are come up about two inches high, they should be transplanted either into pots, or into a bed of fresh earth, at about four or five inches distance every way, where they may remain until they have obtained strength enough to plant out for good, which should be either in pots filled with good fresh earth, or in a warm situated border, in which, if the winter is not too severe, they will abide very well, provided they are in a dry soil." _Miller's Gard. Dict._

[14]

~Primula villosa. Mountain Primula.~

_Class and Order._

~Pentandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Involucrum_ umbellulæ. _Corollæ_ tubus cylindricus: ore patulo.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PRIMULA _villosa_ foliis obovatis dentatis villosis, scapo brevissimo multifloro.

PRIMULA _villosa_. _Jacquin Fl. Austr. app. t._ 27.

Mr. Miller, in the Sixth Edition of the Abridgment of his Gardener's Dictionary, mentions only four Primulas, exclusive of the Auricula, the two first of which are named erroneously, and of the two last not a syllable is said either as to their place of growth or culture.

The plant here figured, has been introduced pretty generally into the Nursery-Gardens in the neighboured of London within these few years: Mr. Salisbury informs me, that a variety of this plant with white flowers, brought originally from the Alps of Switzerland, has for many years been cultivated in a garden in Yorkshire.

It is not noticed by Linnæus: Professor Jacquin, in his Flora Austriaca, has figured and described a Primula, which, though not agreeing so minutely as could be wished with the one we have figured, is nevertheless considered by some of the first Botanists in this country as the same species; he gives it the name of _villosa_, which we adopt, though with us it is so slightly villous as scarcely to deserve that epithet.

It varies in the brilliancy of its colours, flowers in April, and will succeed with the method of culture recommended for the Round-Leaved Cyclamen.

[15]

~Narcissus Jonquilla. Common Jonquil.~

_Class and Order._

~Hexandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Petala_ sex. _Nectario_ infundibuliformi, monophyllo.

_Stamina_ intra nectarium.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

NARCISSUS _Jonquilla_ spatha multiflora, nectario hemisphærico crenato, breviore petalis, foliis semiteretibus. _Lin. Spec. Pl. p._ 417.

The fragrant Jonquil is a native of Spain, flowers in the open ground, about the latter-end of April, or beginning of May, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation, but prefers, as most bulbs do, a fresh loamy earth; indeed such a soil is favourable to the growth of most plants, as being exempt from a variety of subterraneous insects, which are apt to infest ground which has been long cultivated.

It is found in the gardens with double flowers.

Our plant accords exactly with the description of Linnæus, above quoted, but must be carefully distinguished from some others very similar to it.

[16]

~Iris variegata. Variegated Iris.~

_Class and Order._

~Triandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ 6-partita; _Petalis_ alternis, reflexis. _Stigmata_ petaliformia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IRIS _variegata_ corollis barbatis, caule subfolioso longitudine foliorum multifloro. _Linn. Spec. Pl. p._ 56.

IRIS latifolia pannonica, colore multiplici. _Bauh. Pin._ 31.

The yellow variable Flower-de-Luce. _Parkinson Parad. p._ 182.

This species of Iris, inferior to few in point of beauty, is a native of the hilly pastures of Hungary, and flowers in our gardens in the month of May, and beginning of June. It is a hardy perennial, requires no particular treatment, and may be easily propagated by parting its roots in Autumn.

[17]

~Cactus flagelliformis. Creeping Cereus.~

_Class and Order._

~Icosandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 1-phyllus, superus, imbricatus. _Corolla_ multiplex. _Bacca_ 1-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character._

CACTUS _flagelliformis_ repens decemangularis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14 _p._ 460.

CEREUS _flagelliformis_. _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed._ 6. 4_to._

Grows spontaneously in South-America, and the West-Indies, flowers in our dry stoves early in June, is tolerably hardy, and will thrive even in a common green-house, that has a flue to keep out the severe frosts.

It is superior to all its congeners in the brilliancy of its colour, nor are its blossoms so fugacious as many of the other species.

No plant is more easily propagated by cuttings; these Miller recommends to be laid by in a dry place for a fortnight, or three weeks, then to be planted in pots, filled with a mixture of loam and lime rubbish, having some stones laid in the bottom of the pot to drain off the moisture, and afterwards plunged into a gentle hot-bed of Tanners bark, to facilitate their rooting, giving them once a week a gentle watering: this business to be done the beginning of July.

It is seldom that this plant perfects its seeds in this country: Miller relates that it has borne fruit in Chelsea gardens.

[18]

~Geranium Reichardi. Dwarf Geranium.~

_Class and Order._

~Monadelphia Decandria.~

_General Character._

Monogynia. Stigmata 5. Fructus rostratus, 5-coccus.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GERANIUM _Reichardi_ scapis unifloris, floribus pentandris, foliis subreniformibus inciso-crenatis.

GERANIUM _Reichardi_ scapis unifloris, foliis plerisque oblongis trilobis vel quinquelobis inciso-crenatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. Murr._ 14. _p._ 618.

This species of Geranium, so strikingly different from all others at present cultivated in our gardens, has been known for several years to the Nursery-men in the neighbourhood of London, by the name of _acaule_, a name we should gladly have retained, had not Professor Murray described it in the 14th edition of Linnæus's _Systema Vegetabilium_, under the name of _Reichardi_, a name he was disposed to give it in compliment to a French gentleman, who first discovered it in the island of Minorca, and introduced it into the gardens of France.

Linnæus describes many of the Geraniums, as having only five antheræ, though several of those he thus describes have to our certain knowledge ten, the five lowermost of which shedding their pollen first, often drop off, and leave the filaments apparently barren: but in this species (with us at least) there never are more than five, but betwixt each stamen, there is a broad pointed barren filament or squamula, scarcely to be distinguished by the naked eye.

The usual and best practice is to make a green-house plant of this species, though it has been known to remain in the open ground, during a mild winter, unhurt.

It continues to have a succession of blossoms during the greatest part of the summer, and may be propagated either by seed or parting its roots.

[19]

~Hemerocallis Flava. Yellow Day-lily.~

_Class and Order._

~Hexandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata, tubus cylindraceus.

_Stamina_ declinata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HEMEROCALLIS _flava_ foliis lineari-subulatis carinatis, corollis flavis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed._ 14. _p._ 339.

LILIUM luteum, asphodeli radice. _Bauh. Pin._ 80.

The Yellow Day-Lily. _Parkins. Parad. p._ 148.

This Genus has been called _Hemerocallis_, in English, _Day-Lily_, from the short duration of its blossoms, but these are not quite so fugacious in this species as in the _fulva_.

It very rarely happens that Linnæus, in his specific character of a plant, has recourse to colour, he has however in this instance; but this seems to arise from his considering them rather as varieties, than species. To us they appear to be perfectly distinct, and in addition to several other characters, the flava is distinguished by the fragrance of its blossoms.

This species is an inhabitant of Hungary and Siberia, and consequently bears our climate exceedingly well; it requires a moist soil, and a situation somewhat shady, and is easily propagated by parting its roots in autumn.

[20]

~Geranium Peltatum. Ivy-Leaved Geranium.~

_Class and Order._

~Monadelphia Decandria.~

_Generic Character._

Monogyna. _Stigmata_ quinque. _Fructus_ rostratus. 5-coccus.

_Specific Character._

GERANIUM _peltatum_ calycibus monophyllis, foliis quinquelobis integerrimis glabris subpeltatis, caule fruticoso. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _p._ 613.

GERANIUM africanum, foliis inferioribus asari, superioribus staphidisagriæ maculatis splendentibus et acetosæ sapore. _Comm. Præl._ 52. _t._ 2.

A native of Africa, as are most of our shewy Geraniums, is not so tender as many others, and may be propagated very readily from cuttings.

A leaf, having its foot-stalk inserted into the disk or middle part of it, or near it, is called by Linnæus, peltatum, hence the Latin trivial name of this plant. It may be observed, however, that some of the leaves have this character more perfectly than others.

The African Geraniums differ much from the European, in the irregularity of their Petals, but exhibit the character of the Class _Monadelphia_ much better than any of our English ones, having their filaments manifestly united into one body; this species has only 7 filaments bearing antheræ, but 3 barren ones may be discovered upon a careful examination, which makes it of the order _Decandria_.

[21]

~Iris Versicolor. Particoloured Iris.~

_Class and Order._

~Triandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ 6-petala, inæqualis, petalis alternis geniculato-patentibus. _Stigmata_ petaliformia, cucullato-bilabiata. Conf. _Thunb. Dis. de Iride._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IRIS _versicolor_ imberbis foliis ensiformibus, scapo tereti flexuoso, germinibus subtrigonis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _Murr. p._ 90. _Sp. Plant. ed._ 3. _p._ 57.

IRIS Americana versicolor stylo crenato. _Dill. Elth._ 188. 1. 155. _f._ 188.

A native of Virginia, Maryland, and Pensylvania, has a perennial root, is hardy, and will thrive in almost any soil or situation; may be increased by parting its roots in autumn.

Our plant is the _picta_ of Miller, and the _versicolor_ of Miller is, we believe, the _sibirica_ of Linnæus.

This species has, for the most part, a stalk unusually crooked or elbowed, by which it is particularly distinguished. It flowers in June, as do most of this beautiful tribe.

[22]

~Nigella damascena. Garden Fennel-flower, Love in a mist, Devil in a Bush.~

_Class and Order._

~Polyandria Pentagynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ nullus. _Petala_ 5. Nectaria 5. trifida, intra corollam. _Capsulæ_ 5 connexæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

NIGELLA _damascena_ floribus involucro folioso cinctis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _Murr. p._ 506. _Sp. Pl. p._ 753.

NIGELLA angustifolia, flore majore simplici cæruleo. _Bauh. Pin._ 145.

The great Spanish Nigella. _Park. Parad. p._ 287.

Is an annual, and grows wild among the corn in the southern parts of Europe; varies with white and blue flowers, both single and double.

"May be propagated by sowing their seeds upon a bed of light earth, where they are to remain (for they seldom succeed well if transplanted); therefore, in order to have them intermixed among other annual flowers in the borders of the Flower Garden, the seeds should be sown in patches at proper distances: and when the plants come up, they must be thinned where they grow too close, leaving but three or four of them in each patch, observing also to keep them clear from weeds, which is all the culture they require. In July they will produce their flowers, and their seeds will ripen in August.

"The season for sowing these seeds is in March; but if you sow some of them in August, soon after they are ripe, upon a dry soil and in a warm situation, they will abide through the winter, and flower strong the succeeding year; by sowing of the seeds at different times, they may be continued in beauty most parts of the summer." _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed._ 6. 4_to._

[23]

~Tropæolum majus. Greater Indian-Cress, or Nasturtium.~

_Class and Order._

~Octandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 1-phyllus, calcaratus. _Petala_ 5 in æqualia. _Baccæ_ tres, siccæ.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

TROPÆOLUM _majus_ foliis peltatis subquinquelobis, petalis obtusis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _Murr. p._ 357. _Sp. Pl. p._ 490.

CARDAMINDUM ampliori folio et majori flore. _Grande Capucine Tournef. Inst. p._ 430.

The present plant is a native of Peru, and is said by Linnæus to have been first brought into Europe in the year 1684; it is certainly one of the greatest ornaments the Flower-Garden can boast: it varies in colour, and is also found in the Nurseries with double flowers. The former, as is well known, is propagated by seed; the latter by cuttings, which should be struck on a hot-bed. To have these plants early, they should be raised with other tender annuals; they usually begin to flower in July, and continue blossoming till the approach of winter: the stalks require to be supported, for if left to themselves they trail on the ground, overspread, and destroy the neighbouring plants.

Elizabeth Christina, one of the daughters of Linnæus, is said to have perceived the flowers to emit spontaneously, at certain intervals, sparks like those of electricity, visible only in the dusk of the evening, and which ceased when total darkness came on.

The flowers have the taste of water-cress, with a degree of sweetness, which that plant does not possess, more particularly resident in the spur of the calyx or nectary; hence are sometimes used in sallads, and hence the plant acquires its name of _Nasturtium_.

[24]

~Agrostemma coronaria. Rose Cockle, or Campion.~

_Class and Order._

~Decandria Pentagynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ 1-phyllus, coriaceus. _Petala_ 5 unguiculata: limbo obtuso, indiviso. _Caps._ 1-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AGROSTEMMA _coronaria_ tomentosa, foliis ovato-lanceolatis, petalis emarginatis coronatis serratis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. ed._ 14. _Murr. p._ 435. _Sp. Pl. p._

LYCHNIS coronaria dioscoridis sativa. _Bauh. Pin._ 203. The single red Rose Campion. _Parkins. Parad. p._ 252.

Grows spontaneously in Italy and Siberia; Linnæus informs us that the blossom is naturally white, with red in the middle.

"The single Rose Campion has been long an inhabitant of the English gardens, where, by its seeds having scattered, it is become a kind of weed. There are three varieties of this plant, one with deep red, another with flesh-coloured, and a third with white flowers, but these are of small esteem, for the double Rose Campion being a finer flower, has turned the others out of most fine gardens. The single sorts propagate fast enough by the seeds, the sort with double flowers never produces any, so is only propagated by parting of the roots; the best time for this is in autumn, after their flowers are past; in doing of this, every head which can be slipped off with roots should be parted; these should be planted in a border of fresh undunged earth, at the distance of six inches, observing to water them gently until they have taken root, after which they will require no more, for much wet is injurious to them, as is also dung. After the heads are well rooted, they should be planted into the borders of the Flower-Garden, where they will be very ornamental during the times of their flowering, which is in July and August." _Miller's Gard. Dict. ed._ 6. 4_to._

Miller, by mistake, calls this plant _Cælirosa_.

[25]

~Dianthus chinensis. China or Indian Pink.~

_Class and Order._

~Decandria Digynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Calyx_ cylindricus, 1-phyllus: basi squamis 4. _Petala_ 5, unguiculata. _Capsula_ cylindrica, 1-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DIANTHUS _chinensis_ floribus solitariis, squamis calycinis subulatis patulis, tubum æquantibus, corollis crenatis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 418. _Sp. Pl._ 588.

CARYOPHYLLUS sinensis supinus, leucoji folio, flore unico. _Tournef. act._ 1705. _p._ 348. _f._ 5.

This species, unknown to the older botanists, is a native of China, hence its name of China Pink; but, in the nurseries, it is in general better known by the name of Indian Pink.

Though it cannot boast the agreeable scent of many of its congeners, it eclipses most of them in the brilliancy of its colours; there are few flowers indeed which can boast that richness and variety found among the most improved varieties of this species; and as these are easily obtained from seed, so they are found in most collections, both single and double.

It is little better than an annual, but will sometimes continue two years in a dry soil, which it affects.

Attempts have been made to force it, but, as far as we have learned, with no great success.

[26]

~Stapelia variegata. Variegated Stapelia.~

_Class and Order._

~Pentandria Digynia.~

_Generic Character._

Contorta. _Nectarium_ duplici stellula tegente genitalia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

STAPELIA _variegata_ denticulis ramorum patentibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 260. _Sp. Pl. p._ 316.

ASCLEPIAS aizoides africana. _Bradl. suc._ 3. _p._ 3. _t._ 22.

This very singular plant is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, where it grows and flourishes on the rocks with the _Stapelia hirsuta_.

If these plants be kept in a very moderate stove in winter, and in summer placed in an airy glass-case where they may enjoy much free air, but screened from wet and cold, they will thrive and flower very well; for although they will live in the open air in summer, and may be kept through the winter in a good green-house; yet these plants will not flower so well as those managed in the other way. They must have little water given them, especially in winter.

It is very seldom that the _variegata_ produces seed-vessels in this country; MILLER observes, in upwards of forty years that he cultivated it, he never saw it produce its pods but three times, and then on such plants only as were plunged into the tan-bed in the stove.

This plant may be propagated without seeds, as it grows fast enough from slips; treatment the same as that of the Creeping Cereus, which see.

It takes its name of _Stapelia_ from _Stapel_, a Dutchman, author of some botanical works, particularly a Description of Theophrastus's plants.

[27]

~Convolvulus tricolor. Small Convolvulus or Bindweed.~

_Class and Order._

~Pentandria Monogynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata, plicata. _Stigmata_ 2. _Capsula_ 2-locularis: loculis dispermis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CONVOLVULUS _tricolor_ foliis lanceolato ovatis glabris, caule declinato, floribus solitariis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 203. _Sp. Pl. p._ 225.

CONVOLVULUS peregrinus cæruleus, folio oblongo. _Bauh. Pin._ 295. Flore triplici colore insignito. _Moris. hist._ 2. _p._ 17. _s._ 1. _t._ 4. _f._ 4.

The Spanish Small Blew Bindeweede. _Parkins. Parad. p._ 4.

This species has usually been called _Convolvulus minor_ by gardeners, by way of distinguishing it from the _Convolvulus purpureus_, to which they have given the name of _major_. It is a very pretty annual; a native of Spain, Portugal, and Sicily, and very commonly cultivated in gardens.

The most usual colours of its blossoms are blue, white, and yellow, whence its name of _tricolor_; but there is a variety of it with white, and another with striped blossoms.

The whole plant with us is in general hairy, hence it does not well accord with LINNÆUS'S description. It is propagated by seeds, which should be sown on the flower-borders in the spring, where the plants are to remain: they require no other care than to be thinned and weeded.

[28]

~Passiflora coerulea. Common Passion-Flower.~

_Class and order._

~Gynandria Hexandria.~

_Generic Character._

Trigyna. _Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5. _Nectarium_ corona. _Bacca_ pedicellata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

PASSIFLORA _coerulea_ foliis palmatis integerrimis. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 823. _Sp. Pl. p._ 1360.

GRANADILLA polyphyllos, fructu ovato. _Tourn. inst._ 241.

FLOS PASSIONIS major pentaphyllus. _Sloan. Jam._ 104. _hist._ 1. _p._ 229.

The Passion-Flower first introduced into this country was the _incarnata_ of Linnæus, a native of Virginia, and figured by Parkinson in his _Paradisus Terrestris_, who there styles it the surpassing delight of all flowers: the present species, which, from its great beauty and superior hardiness, is now by far the most common, is of more modern introduction; and, though a native of the Brasils, seldom suffers from the severity of our climate; flowering plentifully during most of the summer months, if trained to a wall with a southern aspect, and, in such situations, frequently producing ripe fruit, of the size and form of a large olive, of a pale orange colour.

This most elegant plant may be propagated by seeds, layers, or cuttings; foreign seeds are most to be depended on; they are to be sown in the spring, on a moderate hot-bed, and when the plants are grown to the height of two or three inches, they are to be carefully taken up, and each planted in a separate small pot, filled with good loam, then plunged into a moderate hot-bed, to forward their taking new root; after which they should be gradually inured to the common air: the younger the plants the more shelter they require, and if ever so old or strong, they are in danger from severe frosts. The layers and cuttings are to be treated in the common way, but seedling plants, if they can be obtained, are on many accounts to be preferred.

[29]

~Reseda odorata. Sweet-scented Reseda or Mignonette.~

_Class and Order._

~Dodecandria Trigynia.~

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 1-phyllus, partitus. _Petala_ laciniata. _Caps._ ore dehiscens, 1-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RESEDA _odorata_ foliis integris trilobisque, calycibus florem æquantibus. _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 449.

RESEDA foliis integris trilobisque, floribus tetragynis. _Mill. Dict. t._ 217.

_Mignonette_ grows naturally in Egypt, it was unknown to the older Botanists; Miller says he received the seeds of it from Dr. Adrian Van Royen, Professor of Botany at Leyden, so that it is rather a modern inhabitant of our gardens.

The luxury of the pleasure-garden is greatly heightened by the delightful odour which this plant diffuses; and as it is most readily cultivated in pots, its fragrance may be conveyed to the parlour of the recluse, or the chamber of the valetudinarian; its perfume, though not so refreshing perhaps as that of the Sweet-Briar, is not apt to offend on continuance the most delicate olfactories.

Being an annual it requires to be raised yearly from seed; when once introduced on a warm dry border it will continue to sow itself, and grow very luxuriantly, flowering from June to the commencement of winter; but as it is desirable to have it as early as possible in the spring, the best way is either to sow the seed in pots in autumn, securing them through the winter in frames, or in a greenhouse, or to raise the seeds early on a gentle hot bed, thinning the plants if they require it, so as to have only two or three in a pot.

[30]