Chapter 2

NECTARY of a fine azure blue and most singular form, composed of two petals, the upper petal very short and broad, with a whitish mucro or point, the sides of which lap over the base of the other petal; inferior petal about two inches and a half in length, the lower half somewhat triangular, grooved on the two lowermost sides, and keeled at bottom, the keel running straight to its extremity, the upper half gradually dilating towards the base, runs out into two lobes more or less obtuse, which give it an arrow-shaped form, bifid at the apex, hollow, and containing the antheræ, the edges of the duplicature crisped and forming a kind of frill from the top to the bottom.

STAMINA five Filaments arising from the base of the nectary, short and distinct; Antheræ long and linear, attached to and cohering by their tips to the apex of the nectary.

STYLE filiform, white, length of the nectary.

STIGMA three quarters of an inch long, attached to, and hitched on as it were to the tip of the nectary, roundish, white, awl-shaped, very viscid, becoming as the flower decays of a deep purple brown colour, and usually splitting into three pieces, continuing attached to the nectary till the nectary decays.

Mr. FAIRBAIRN, to whose abilities and industry the Companies Garden at Chelsea is indebted for its present flourishing state, being desirous of obtaining ripe seeds, I had no opportunity of examining the germen.

Such were the appearances which presented themselves to us in the plant which flowered at the Chelsea Garden; that they are liable to considerable variation is apparent from the figure of Mr. MILLAR, which appears to have been drawn from a very luxuriant specimen, as two spathæ grow from one flowering stem, the stigma is also remarkably convoluted, many other appearances are likewise represented, which our plant did not exhibit: in the figure given in the _Hortus Kewensis_, the stigma appears to have separated from the nectary on the first opening of the flower, and to be split into three parts, neither of which circumstances took place in our plant till they were both in a decaying state.

[121]

NARCISSUS INCOMPARABILIS. PEERLESS DAFFODIL.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Petala_ 6 æqualia: _Nectario_ infundibuliformi, 1-phyllo: _Stamina_ intra nectarium.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

NARCISSUS _incomparabilis_ spatha uniflora, nectario campanulato plicato crispo petalis dimidio breviore, foliis planis.

NARCISSUS latifolius omnium maximus amplo calice flavo sive Nompareille. The great Nonesuch Daffodil, or incomparable Daffodil. _Park. Par. p. 68._

This species of Narcissus, though well described and figured by the old Botanists, especially PARKINSON; has been overlooked by LINNÆUS.

It is undoubtedly the _incomparable Daffodil_ of PARKINSON, figured in his Garden of Pleasant Flowers; and the _incomparabilis_ of MILLER's _Dict. ed. 6. 4to._ the latter informs us, that he received roots of it from Spain and Portugal, which fixes its place of growth.

It is a very hardy bulbous plant, and flowers in April; in its single state it is very ornamental, the petals are usually pale yellow, and the nectary inclined to orange, which towards the brim is more brilliant in some than in others; in its double state, it is well known to Gardeners, by the name of Butter and Egg Narcissus, and of this there are two varieties, both of which produce large shewy flowers, the one with colours similar to what we have above described, which is the most common, the other with petals of a pale sulphur colour, almost white, and the nectary bright orange; this, which is one of the most ornamental of the whole tribe, is named in the Dutch catalogues, the _Orange Phoenix_; its blossoms are so large as frequently to require supporting; its bulbs may be had of many of the Nurseries about London, and of those who, profiting by the supineness of our English Gardeners, import bulbs from abroad.

Like most of the tribe, this species will grow well without any care, the bulbs of the double sort should be taken up yearly, otherwise they are apt to degenerate.

[122]

HYACINTHUS RACEMOSUS. STARCH HYACINTH.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

Corolla campanulata: pori 3 melliferi germinis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HYACINTHUS _racemosus_ corollis ovatis, summis sessilibus, foliis laxis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 336._ _Sp. Pl. 455._

HYACINTHUS racemosus cæruleus minor juncifolius. _Bauh. Pin. p. 43._

HYACINTHUS botryodes 1. _Car Clus. Hist. p. 181._

HYACINTHUS racemosus. _Dodon. Pempt. p. 217._

HYACINTHUS botroides minor cæruleus obscurus. The darke blew Grape-flower. _Park. Par. p. 114._

The _Hyacinthus racemosus_ and _botryoides_ are both cultivated in gardens, but the former here figured is by far the most common; _racemosus_ and _botryoides_, though different words, are expressive of the same meaning, the former being derived from the Latin term _racemus_, the latter from the Greek one [Greek: votrus], both of which signify a bunch of grapes, the form of which the inflorescence of these plants somewhat resembles, and hence they have both been called Grape Hyacinths, but as confusion thereby arises, we have thought it better to call this species the Starch Hyacinth, the smell of the flower in the general opinion resembling that substance, and leave the name of Grape Hyacinth for the _botryoides_.

The _Hyacinthus racemosus_ grows wild in the corn fields of Germany, in which it increases so fast by offsets from the root as to prove a very troublesome weed, and on this account it must be cautiously introduced into gardens.

It flowers in April and May.

We have found the Nurserymen very apt to mistake it for the _botryoides_, a figure of which it is our intention to give in some future number.

[123]

ANEMONE HORTENSIS. STAR ANEMONE, or BROAD-LEAV'D GARDEN ANEMONE.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

Cal. 0. Petala 5-9. Semina plura.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANEMONE _hortensis_ foliis digitalis, feminibus lanatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed Murr. p. 510._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. vol. 2. p. 256._

ANEMONE Geranii rotundo folio, purpurascens. _Bauh. Pin. 173._

ANEMONE prima. _Dodon. Pempt. 434._

ANEMONE latifolia purpurea stellata sive papaveracea. The purple Star-Anemone or Windflower. _Park. Parad. p. 204._

We are more and more convinced, that in our eagerness, for novelties, we daily lose plants by far more ornamental than the new ones we introduce; the present, a most charming spring plant, with which the Gardens abounded in the time of PARKINSON, is now a great rarity; its blossoms, which are uncommonly brilliant, come forth in April, and, like those of many other plants, appear to advantage only when the sun shines.

It may be propagated either by seeds, or by parting its roots in Autumn, in the former way we may obtain many beautiful varieties.

It prefers a light loamy soil and moderately exposed situation.

Roots of a variety of this plant with scarlet double flowers are imported from Holland, under the name, of _Anemonoides_, and sold at a high price.

[124]

IBERIS GIBRALTARICA. GIBRALTAR CANDY-TUFT.

_Class and Order._

TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ irregularis: Petalis 2 exterioribus majoribus. _Silicula_ polysperma, emarginata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IBERIS _Gibraltarica_ frutescens foliis apice dentatis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 589._

THLASPIDIUM Hispanicum, ampliore flore folio crasso dentato. _Dill. Elth. 382. t. 287. f. 37._

The flowers of this plant, a native of Gibraltar, bear some resemblance to those of the Common Candy-Tuft, but when they blow in perfection, they are usually twice as large; hence they are highly ornamental in the green-house, which early in the Spring, the time of their coming forth, stands in need of some such shewy flowers.

This plant is easily raised from cuttings, and easily preserved; it may be kept through the Winter in a common hot-bed frame, and in mild Winters will stand abroad, especially if sheltered amongst rock-work; its greatest enemy is moisture in the Winter season, this often proves fatal to it, as indeed a long continued damp atmosphere does to many others; the Nurserymen about London complain of losing more plants the last mild Winter, from this cause, than they generally do from severe frosts. In a little green-house which I had in my late garden, Lambeth-Marsh, most of the plants became absolutely mouldy; in such seasons then, though in point of cold the plants may not require it, we must dissipate the superfluous moisture by a gentle heat.

[125]

ALSTROEMERIA LIGTU. STRIPED-FLOWER'D ALSTROEMERIA.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ 6-petala, sub-bilabiata: petalis 2 inferioribus basi tubulosis. _Stamina_ declinata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ALSTROEMERIA _Ligtu_ caule erecto, foliis spathulato-oblongis, pedunculis umbellæ involucro longioribus, corolla bilabiata. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14._ _Murr. Suppl. p. 207._ _Amoen. Acad. V. 6. p. 247._

HEMEROCALLIS floribus purpurascentibus striatis. _Few. Peruv. 2. p. 710. t. 4._

This plant receives its generic name from CLAUDIUS ALSTROEMER (son of Sir JONAS ALSTROEMER, a most respectable Swedish Merchant) who first found the other most beautiful species the _Pelegrina_ in Spain, whither it had been transmitted from Peru; its trivial name _Ligtu_ is a provincial one.

According to FEWILLEE, who has written on the plants of Peru, this species is found on the banks of the rivers in Chili: we treat it, and successfully, as a stove plant; its flowers, which usually make their appearance in February and March, emit a fragrance scarcely inferior to Mignonet; its leaves, contrary to most others, grow inverted, which is effected by a twist of the footstalk, and afford an excellent example of LINNÆUS's _Folium resupinatum_; the filaments, after the pollen is discharged, turn upwards, and the antheræ become almost globular.

It is usually propagated by parting its roots in Autumn.

Our figure was drawn from a plant which flowered extremely well in the stove of Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.

[126]

ALYSSUM DELTOIDEUM. PURPLE ALYSSUM.

_Class and Order._

TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.

_Generic Character._

_Filamenta_ quædam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ALYSSUM _deltoideum_ caulibus suffrutescentibus prostratis, foliis lanceolato-deltoidibus, siliculis hirtis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 591._ _Sp. Pl. 908._

LEUCOJUM saxatile thymifolio hirsutum cæruleo-purpureum. _Bauh. Pin. 201._

Plants which flower early, and continue a long while in bloom, are deservedly preferred, more especially by those who content themselves with a partial collection; of that number is the present species of Alyssum, which begins to flower in March, and continues to blossom through April, May, and June, and, if favourably situated, during most of the summer.

It is properly a rock plant, being hardy, forming with very little care a neat tuft of flowers, and not apt to encroach on its neighbours.

May be propagated by parting its roots in Autumn, or by cuttings.

Is a native of the Levant, according to Mr. AITON; and cultivated by Mr. MILLER, in 1739, but omitted in the 6th 4to. edition of his Dictionary: has usually been considered by the Nurserymen about London as the _hyperboreum_.

[127]

IXIA FLEXUOSA. BENDING-STALK'D IXIA.

_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-partita, campanulata, regularis. _Stigmata_ 3.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

IXIA _flexuosa_ foliis linearibus, racemo flexuoso multifloro. _Linn. Sp. Pl. p. 51._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 58._

The Ixias are a numerous tribe, chiefly natives of the Cape, and in general remarkable either for their delicacy, or brilliant colours.

The one here figured appears to be a variety of the _flexuosa_ with a purple eye, its blossoms are fragrant, and come forth in April or May.

"All the sorts multiply very fast by offsets, so that when once obtained, there will be no occasion to raise them from seeds: for the roots put out offsets in great plenty, most of which will flower the following season, whereas those from seeds are three or four years before they flower. These plants will not thrive through the winter in the full ground in England, so must be planted in pots, and placed under a frame in winter, where they may be protected from frost, but in mild weather should enjoy the free air; but they must be guarded from mice, who are very fond of these roots, and if not prevented will devour them." _Millers Gard. Dict._

[128]

SCILLA CAMPANULATA.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 6-petala, patens, decidua. _Filamenta_ filiformia.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SCILLA _campanulata_ bulbo folido, racemo multifloro oblongo-subconico, corollis campanulatis erectis, bracteis bipartitis, pedunculo longioribus, foliis lanceolatis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 444._

HYACINTHUS Hispanicus major flore campanulæ instar.

The greater Spanish bell-flowred Jacinth. _Park. Par. 123._

There are few old gardens which do not abound with this plant; it bears great affinity to our Hare-bell, with which it appears to have been confounded by most Botanists. _Parkinson_ thus discriminates it: "This Spanish bell-flowred Jacinth is very like the former English or Spanish Jacinth, but greater in all parts, as well of leaves as flowers, many growing together at the toppe of the stalke; with many short greene leaves among them, hanging doune their heads with larger, greater, and wider open mouths, like unto bels of a darke blew colour, and no good sent." _Park. Parad._

Though not remarkable for the fineness of its colours, or pleasing from its fragrance, it contributes with other bulbous plants to decorate the flower border or plantation in the spring, when flowers are most wanted.

It is very hardy, and increases abundantly by offsets; its seeds also ripen well.

[129]

AMARYLLIS VITTATA. SUPERB AMARYLLIS.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ hexapetaloidea, irregularis. _Filamenta_ fauci tubi inserta, declinata, inæqualia proportione vel directione, _Linn. fil._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AMARYLLIS floribus pedicellatis, corollis cuneiformi-infundibuliformibus, petalorum exteriorum rachibus interiorum margini adnatis, scapo tereti, stigmatibus sulcatis. _Linn. fil._

AMARYLLIS _vittata._ _L'Herit. Sert. Angl. t. 15._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 418._

LINNÆUS, the Son, took much pains in new modelling the generic and specific characters of this genus; as may be seen in the _Hort. Kew_: Mons. L'HERITIER, when in England a few years since, saw this species, described and named it _Vittata_[1].

Of what country it is a native is not known with certainty, most probably of the Cape, was first introduced into England by Mr. MALCOLM.

Our figure was drawn from a fine specimen which flowered this spring with Messrs. GRIMWOOD and Co. Kensington.

It usually flowers in April or May, but may be forwarded by artificial heat.

It rarely puts forth offsets from the root, but readily produces seeds, by which it is propagated without difficulty.

When it blossoms in perfection it truly deserves the name of superb, which Mr. AITON has given it, the stem rising to the height of three feet or more, and producing from two to five flowers.

[130]

ALYSSUM UTRICULATUM. BLADDER-PODDED ALYSSUM.

_Class and Order._

TETRADYNAMIA SILICULOSA.

_Generic Character._

_Filamenta_ quædam introrsum denticulo notata. _Silicula_ emarginata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ALYSSUM _utriculatum_ caule herbaceo erecto, foliis lævibus lanceolatis integerrimis, filiculis inflatis. _Linn. Syst. Veget. ed. 14. Murr._

ALYSSOIDES fruticosum, leucoji folio viridi. _Tourn. inst. 218._

A native of the Levant, and cultivated by Mr. MILLER in the year 1739.

Is a hardy and beautiful perennial, flowering from April to June, at which time it begins to form its curiously inflated pods.

Like the _Alyssum deltoideum_, it is well adapted to the decorating of walls, or rock-work, and is readily propagated either by seeds or slips.

[131]

CATESBÆA SPINOSA. THORNY CATESBÆA, or LILY-THORN.

_Class and Order._

TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cor._ 1-petala, infundibuliformis, longissima, supera. Stamina intra faucem. _Bacca_ polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CATESBÆA _spinosa._ _Linn. Syst. Vegetab, ed. 14._ _Murr. p. 152._ _Sp. Pl. p. 159._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. p. 159._

Frutex spinosus, buxi foliis plurimis simul nascentibus, flore tetrapetaloide pendulo sordide flavo, tubo longissimo, fructu ovali croceo semina parva continente. _Catesb. Carol. 2. p. 100. t. 100._

Of this genus there is only one species described by authors, and which LINNÆUS has named in honour of our countryman MARK CATESBY, Author of the Natural History of Carolina.

"This shrub was discovered by Mr. CATESBY, near Nassau-town, in the Island of Providence, where he saw two of them growing, which were all he ever saw; from these he gathered the seeds and brought them to England.

"It is propagated by seeds, which must be procured from the country where it naturally grows. If the entire fruit are brought over in sand, the seeds will be better preserved; the seeds must be sown in small pots filled with light sandy earth, and plunged into a moderate hot-bed of Tanner's-bark. If the seeds are good, the plants will appear in about six weeks; these plants make little progress for four or five years. If the nights should prove cold the glasses must be covered with mats every evening. As these plants grow slowly, so they will not require to be removed out of the seed-pots the first year, but in the Autumn the pots should be removed into the stove, and plunged into the tan-bed; in spring the plants should be carefully taken up, and each planted in a separate small pot, filled with light sandy earth, and plunged into a fresh hot-bed of Tanner's-bark. In Summer when the weather is warm, they should have a good share of air admitted to them, but in Autumn must be removed into the stove; where they should constantly remain, and must be treated afterwards in the same manner as other tender exotic plants." _Miller's Dict._

It is more usual with Nurserymen to increase this plant by cuttings.

Our drawing was made from a plant which flowered this Spring, with Mr. COLVILL, Nurseryman, King's-Road, Chelsea.

It flowers most part of the Summer, but not so freely as many other stove-plants.

[132]

RUBUS ARCTICUS. DWARF BRAMBLE.

_Class and Order._

ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. Petala 5. _Bacca_ composita acinis monospermis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RUBUS _arcticus_ foliis ternatis, caule inermi unifloro. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. p. 476._

RUBUS humilis flore purpureo. _Buxb. Cent. 5. p. 13. t. 26._

RUBUS trifolius humilis non spinosus, sapore et odore fragariæ, fructu rubro polycocco. _Amm. Ruth. 185._

The Rubus arcticus grows wild in the northern parts of Europe and America, in moist, sandy, and gravelly places. LINNÆUS has figured and minutely described it in his _Flora Lapponica_, out of gratitude, as he expresses himself, for the benefits reaped from it in his Lapland journey, by the nectareous wine of whose berries he was so often recruited when sinking with hunger and fatigue; he observes that the principal people in the north of Sweden make a syrup, a jelly, and a wine, from the berries, which they partly consume themselves, and partly transmit to Stockholm, as a dainty of the most delicious kind; and truly he adds, of all the wild Swedish berries this holds the first place.

Our figure does not correspond altogether with LINNÆUS's description, but it is drawn as the plant grew; culture doubtless made it produce more than its usual number of flowering stems and petals.

It grows readily and increases rapidly in bog-earth, on a north border, and flowers in May and June, but very rarely ripens its fruit in Gardens.

[133]

HYACINTHUS COMOSUS. TWO COLOURED, or, TASSEL HYACINTH.

_Class and Order._

HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ campanulata: pori 3-melliferi germinis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HYACINTHUS _comosus_ corollis angulato-cylindricis: summis sterilibus longius pedicellatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14._ _Murr. 336._

HYACINTHUS comosus major purpureus. _Bauh. Pin. 42._ The purple faire haired Jacinth; or Purse tassels. _Park. Parad. p. 117._

Most of the old Botanists arranged this plant, the _racemosus_, and others having almost globular flowers with the Hyacinths. TOURNEFORT, struck with the difference of their appearance, made a distinct genus of them under the name of _Muscari_, in which he is followed by MILLER, and should have been by LINNÆUS, for they differ so much that no student would consider the present plant as belonging to the same genus with the Hare-bell.

This species grows wild in the corn-fields of Spain, Portugal, and some parts of Germany, and flowers in May and June.

It is distinguished more by its singularity than beauty, the flowers on the summit of the stalk differing widely in colour from the others, and being mostly barren: PARKINSON says, "the whole stalke with the flowers upon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassell, and thereupon divers Gentlewomen have so named it."

It is a hardy bulbous plant, growing readily in most soils and situations, and usually propagated by offsets.

[134]

ADONIS VERNALIS.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ quinis plura absque nectario. _Sem._ nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ADONIS _vernalis_ flore dodecapetalo, fructu ovato. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. Murr. p. 514._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. Vol. 2. p. 264._

HELLEBORUS niger tenuifolius, Buphthalmi flore. _Bauh. Pin. 186._

BUPHTHALMUM _Dodon. Pempt. 261._

HELLEBORUS niger ferulaceus sive Buphthalmum. The great Ox-eye, or the great yellow Anemone. _Parkins. Parad. p. 291. f. 6._

Of this plant LINNÆUS makes two species, viz. the _vernalis_ and _appennina_, differing in their specific character merely in the number of their petals, which are found to vary from situation and culture; as the first name taken from its time of flowering is the most expressive, we have followed Mr. MILLER and Mr. AITON in adopting it.

It is an old inhabitant of the English gardens, and a most desirable one, as it flowers in the spring; produces fine shewy blossoms, which expand wide when exposed to the sun, is hardy and readily cultivated.

Grows wild on the mountainous pastures of some parts of Germany.

It may be increased by parting its roots in Autumn or Spring, or by seed. MILLER recommends the latter mode.

[135]

GLADIOLUS CARDINALIS. SUPERB GLADIOLUS; or, CORN-FLAG.

_Class and Order._

TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corolla_ 6-partita, irregularis, inæqualis, _Stigmata_ 3.

_Specific Character._

GLADIOLUS _cardinalis_ corollæ erectæ limbo campanulato, floribus secundis, scapo multifloro, foliis ensiformibus multinerviis.