Chapter 3

It is a native of the Alps of Europe, and flowers in May and June.

Was very generally cultivated in our gardens in the times of GERARD and PARKINSON.

Like most alpine plants, it requires a pure air, and succeeds best in a situation moderately moist and shady; is a hardy perennial, and may be increased by parting its roots in autumn.

In all seasons, with us, its foliage, as well as that of most other Crowfoots, is liable to be disfigured, and sometimes nearly destroyed, by a very small maggot which feeds betwixt, the coats of the leaf, and which ultimately produces a small fly, called by us _Musca Ranunculi_.

[205]

ANTIRRHINUM ALPINUM. ALPINE TOAD-FLAX.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ basis deorsum prominens, nectarifera. _Caps._ 2-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

ANTIRRHINUM _alpinum_ foliis quaternis lineari-lanceolatis glaucis, caule diffuso, floribus racemosis, calcari recto. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 556._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. v. 2. p 335._ _Jacq. Fl. Austr. v. 1. t. 58._

ANTIRRHINUM caule procumbente breviter spicato, foliis verticillatis. _Hall. Hist. p. 338._

LINARIA quadrifolia supina. _Bauh. Pin. p. 213._

LINARIA tertia styriaca. _Clus. Hist. 1. p. 322._

Professor JACQUIN, in describing the flowers of this plant, calls them _elegantissimi_; and to one of its varieties HALLER applies the epithet _pulcherrima_: such testimonies in its favour will, we presume, be sufficient to recommend it to our readers.

It is a native of various mountainous parts of Europe, affecting moist, stony situations,[5] and flowers during most of the summer: is a hardy perennial[6], according to the celebrated author of the _Fl. Austriaca_; Mr. AITON, in his _Hort. Kew._ marks it as a biennial. It is nevertheless apt to be lost, like other small alpine plants, for want of proper treatment and care.

Mr. AITON informs us on the authority of LOBEL, that it was cultivated here by Mr. HUGH MORGAN, in 1570.

May be propagated by cuttings, as well as by seeds, which however are not very plentifully produced with us.

Succeeds best when kept in a pot, or on rock-work, which it is well suited to decorate.

[Footnote 5: In saxosis udis alpium. _Jacq._]

[Footnote 6: Radix perennis. _Jacq._]

[206]

GERANIUM ANEMONEFOLIUM. ANEMONE-LEAV'D GERANIUM.

_Class and Order._

MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Cor._ 5-petala, regularis. _Nect._ glandulæ 5 melliferæ basi longiorum filamentorum adnatæ. _Fructus_ 5-coccus, rostratus; _rostra_ simplicia nec spiralia nec barbata. _L. Herit. Geran._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

GERANIUM _anemonefolium_ foliis palmatis; foliolis pinnatifidis, caule fruticoso. _L. Herit. n. 6. t. 36._

GERANIUM palmatum. _Cavan. Diss. 4. p. 216. t. 84. f. 2._

Before the appearance of the _Hortus Kewensis_, _lævigatum_ was the term usually applied to this species of Geranium, by Botanists here, and that on account of the smooth and glossy appearance of its leaves; in that work Mr. AITON adopts the word _anemonefolium_, by which Mons. L. HERITIER had distinguished this species, from an idea that their shape afforded a more expressive character than their smoothness. We regret that the small size of our plate will not admit of our giving representation of those leaves, and of their mode of growth, which so strikingly characterizes the plant and adds so considerably to its beauty.

Mr. AITON informs us that this species is a native of Madeira, from whence it was introduced here by Mr. FRANCIS MASSON in 1778.

It flowers from May to September, is usually and readily raised from seeds, nor is it so tender as many other green-house plants.

[207]

DIANTHUS BARBATUS. BEARDED PINK OR SWEET WILLIAM.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA DIGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

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

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DIANTHUS _barbatus_ floribus aggregatis fasciculatis: squamis calycinis ovato-subulatis tubum æquantibus, foliis lanceolatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 17._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 88._

CARYOPHYLLUS hortensis barbatus latifolius. _Bauh. Pin. 208._

ARMERIUS latifolius simplex. Single Sweete Williams. _Park. Parad. p. 321._

LINNÆUS, in his _Spec. Pl._ appears not to have known of what country the Sweet William was a native, and even in the _Hortus Kewensis_, this circumstance is left undecided; yet DODONÆUS, in his _Pemptades_[7], mentions its being found wild in Germany, and PROF. HOFFMAN confirms this in his _Germanys Flora_[8].

At the time DODONÆUS wrote (1552) this plant was cultivated in the Netherlands, from whence it was probably introduced to this country, where it certainly is one of the oldest inhabitants of our gardens.

Beautiful as are the numerous varieties of this species of Dianthus, Florists have not deemed it worthy of that peculiar attention which they have bestowed on its more favoured relatives the Pink and Carnation, and hence it probably has not arrived at that degree of improvement of which it is capable; our figure is intended to represent one of the most esteemed of its kind, viz. the _Painted Lady_ variety, which has a deep rich purple eye, surrounded with a pure white, having the edge of the petals slightly indented; but our colours fall far short of the beauties of the original.

Besides single flowers producing an infinite variety of colours, there are several double varieties of the Sweet William, some of which are observed to have more scent than others.

To possess these plants in perfection, we must renew them yearly; for though the root be perennial, it is apt to decay, especially if the soil in which it grows be either very moist, or very dry; or if the air be not pure, the single sorts must be raised from seeds, which should be saved from the choicest flowers; the double sorts may be increased by cuttings, pipings, or layers, in the same manner, and at the same time as Pinks and Carnations; the seed should be sown early in April, the seedlings transplanted into a bed in June, taking advantage of a wet day and placed about six inches asunder each way; in September they will be fit to transplant into the flower border, where they will blossom the ensuing summer, during the months of June and July, and ripen their seed in August.

[Footnote 7: In petrosis collibus et asperis, fabulosis apricisque locis, apud Germanos nascitur. _Pempt. p. 177._]

[Footnote 8: Sponte in sylvaticis, montosis (Carn. Siles. Tubing) Germanys Fl. 1791. p. 147.]

[208]

MELISSA GRANDIFLORA. GREAT-FLOWER'D BALM.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ aridus, supra planiusculus; labio superiore subfastigiato. _Corollæ_ lab. super. subfornicatum, 2-fidum; labium inf. lobo medio cordato.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

MELISSA _grandiflora_ pedunculis axillaribus dichotomis longitudine florum. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 542._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 315._

CALAMINTHA magno flore. _Bauh. Pin. 229._

CALAMINTHA montana præstantior. The more excellent Calamint. _Ger. Herb. p. 556._ as to the name. _Ger. emac. 687._ as to the figure.

The _Melissa grandiflora_, a beautiful and hardy perennial, grows spontaneously on the hilly and mountainous parts of France, Italy, and Germany; GERARD mentions it as found wild in this country, which stands in need of further confirmation; there is little doubt, however, but he had cultivated the plant; as he says, "brought into the garden, it prospereth marvellous well and very easily soweth itself."

It is the more valuable, as it flowers during most of the summer.

There is a variety of it with white, and another with red flowers, both much inferior in size to those of the plant here figured, and therefore not worth cultivating; we have a variety also with variegated leaves which we obtained from seeds.

This plant is readily propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and may also be raised from seeds, which are plentifully produced: as it rarely exceeds a foot in height, it becomes a suitable plant for the small flower border, or for the decoration of rock-work.

The leaves when bruised have the smell of garden balm.

[209]

HIBISCUS TRIONUM. BLADDER HIBISCUS.

_Class and Order._

MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ duplex: exterior polyphyllus. _Caps._ 5-locularis, polysperma.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

HIBISCUS _Trionum_ foliis tripartitis incisis, calycibus inflatis. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 631._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 458._

TRIONUM _Linn. Hort. cliff. 349._

ALCEA vesicaria. _Bauh. Pin. 317._

ALCEA peregrina five vesicaria. Venice Mallow, or Good night at noone. _Park. Parad. p. 368. 307. f. 2._

Seeds of the plant here figured are sold in the seed-shops under the name of Venice Mallow, a name by which it was known in the time of GERARD and PARKINSON: Mr. AITON has changed this for the more scientific one of Bladder Hibiscus. Authors have also distinguished this plant by terms expressive of the short-lived expansion of its flowers, which GERARD says open at eight o'clock in the morning and close about nine, from whence he observes, that it might with propriety be called Malva horaria: MILLER lengthens the duration of its blowing to a few hours: we have frequently observed its blossoms continue sufficiently open to shew their beauty the greatest part of the day, more especially towards the close of summer.

Few annuals are more admired than this, the inside of the flower is of delicate cream colour, having the centre embellished with a rich purple velvet, on which its golden antheræ are proudly conspicuous.

It is said to be a native of Italy; a Cape variety, differing in hairiness and a few other particulars is mentioned by MILLER, and considered by him as a species.

The least possible trouble attends the raising of this beautiful annual, as it readily ripens its seeds, which falling on the ground produce plants in abundance the ensuing spring; to have it flower as long as may be, it will be proper to sow it at two or three different periods.

[210]

CELSIA LINEARIS. LINEAR-LEAV'D CELSIA.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-partitus. _Cor._ rotata. _Filamenta_ barbata, _Caps._ 2-locularis.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CELSIA _linearis_. _Jacq. Collect. v. 2. n. 210._ _Icon. v. 2. t. 13._

CELSIA _linearis_ foliis ternis linearibus denticulatis.

We here present our readers with the figure of a plant newly introduced from France by Mr. WILLIAMS, Nurseryman of Paris, collected originally in Peru by Mr. DOMBEY, whose flowers, if they do not equal those of the Fuchsia already figured in elegance of form and growth, surpass them somewhat in brilliancy of colour, whence it becomes a most desirable plant for the purpose of ornament.

Professor JACQUIN, who first gave a figure and description of this plant, informs us in his Collectanea, that he received seeds of it from Professor ORTEGA of Madrid, under the name of _Celsia linearis_, which name he has adopted; and we, from respect to such authority, have continued; at the same time we must observe, that it ill accords with that genus: the blossoms while in bud fold up somewhat in the same manner as those of the Celsia, but on expansion they appear widely different; their shape indeed then becomes truly singular, resembling a half-formed imperfect corolla, its filaments are short and want the hairs which in part characterise the Celsia; its seed-vessels also are far from being round: its antheræ are large and close together, somewhat like those of the Solanum, and there is so little of inequality in them, that few students would be induced to refer its flowers to the class Didynamia.

Being a native of a warm climate, it comes to the greatest perfection here when placed in a stove in which the heat is moderate; but it will succeed very well if treated as a tender green-house plant: it does not appear to be quite so hardy as the Fuchsia, nor to flower like that plant at all seasons, but usually produces its blossoms in the latter summer months, those are succeeded by seed-vessels producing perfect seeds, by which, as well as by cuttings, the plant is propagated.

Its leaves, which are not deciduous, are linear, and more or less toothed, growing three together; this character however is somewhat obscured by others growing from their bosoms.

[211]

SEDUM POPULIFOLIUM. POPLAR-LEAV'D STONECROP.

_Class and Order._

DECANDRIA PENTAGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus. _Cor._ 5-petala. _Squamæ_ nectariferæ 5 ad basin germinis. _Caps._ 5.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

SEDUM _populifolium_ foliis planis cordatis dentatis petiolatis, corymbis terminalibus. _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p. 109._

SEDUM _populifolium_ foliis petiolatis cordatis dentatis, floribus paniculatis. _Linn. fil. suppl. p. 242._

SEDUM _populifolium_. _Pallas, it. 3. p. 730. t. O. fig. 2._

Professor PALLAS, the celebrated Russian naturalist, discovered this species of Sedum in Siberia, and in the year 1780, introduced it to the royal garden at Kew; the younger LINNÆUS describes it minutely in his _Suppl. Plantarum_, and observes, that in its general form it much resembles the _Saxifraga rotundifolia_.

Its leaves are flat as in many of the other species, and when the plant grows in an open situation, exposed to the sun, they become as well as the stalks of a bright red colour, which adds much to its beauty.

It is the only hardy Sedum cultivated; in our gardens with a shrubby stalk, its leaves however are deciduous, so that in the winter it loses its verdure, it flowers in July and August, and is readily increased by cuttings.

As most of this tribe grow readily, and many of them naturally on rocks and walls, they may be in general regarded as proper rock plants, some of them however are apt by the quickness of their growth to extend over and destroy plants of more value; this fault, if such it may be deemed, is not imputable to the _populifolius_.

Some not knowing its native place of growth, keep it in the green-house.

[212]

TANACETUM FLABELLIFORME. FAN-LEAVED TANSY.

_Class and Order._

SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA.

_Generic Character._

_Recept._ nudum. _Pappus_ submarginatus. _Cal._ imbricatus, hemisphæricus. _Cor._ radii obsoletæ, trifidæ. _Linn. (interdum nullæ omnesque flosculi hermaphroditi.) Murr._

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

TANACETUM _flabelliforme_ corymbis simplicibus, foliis deltoidibus apice serratis. _L'Herit. Sert. Angl. t. 27._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. V. 3. p. 169._

There is a neatness in the appearance of this plant, which joined to the singular form of its foliage, varying also from the general hue, entitles it to a place in the green-house.

Mr. MASSON discovered it at the Cape, and introduced it here in 1774. _Ait. Kew._

It flowers from May to August, grows freely, and is usually propagated by cuttings.

[213]

POLYGONUM ORIENTALE. TALL PERSICARIA.

_Class and Order._

OCTANDRIA TRIGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 0. _Cor._ 5-partita, calycina. _Sem._ 1. angulatum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

POLYGONUM _orientale_ floribus heptandris digynis, foliis ovatis, caule erecto, stipulis hirtis hypocrateriformibus. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 377._ _Ait. Hort. Kew. V. 2. p. 32._

PERSICARIA _orientalis_ nicotianæ folio calyce florum purpureo. _Tournef. cor. 38._ Schovanna-modelamuccu. _Rheed. Mal. 12. p. 147. t. 76._

Of the genus Polygonum, the present well-known native of the East, as well as of India, is the principal one cultivated in our gardens for ornament, and is distinguished not less for its superior stature than the brilliancy of its flowers; it will frequently grow to the height of eight or ten feet, and become a formidable rival to the gigantic sun-flower.

There is a dwarf variety of it, and another with white flowers; it has been observed to vary also in point of hairiness.

It flowers from July to October, and produces abundance of seed, which, falling on the borders, generally comes up spontaneously in the spring; but it is most commonly sown in the spring with other annuals: when the seedlings appear, they should be thinned so as to stand a foot apart. This plant requires very little care, and will bear the smoke of London better than many others.

Was cultivated by the Dutchess of BEAUFORT, in 1707. _Ait. Kew._

The Stipulæ on the stalk are deserving of notice, being unusual in their form, and making it look as if beruffled.

[214]

DRACOCEPHALUM DENTICULATUM. TOOTHED DRAGON'S-HEAD.

_Class and Order._

DIDYNAMIA ANGIOSPERMIA.

_Generic Character._

_Corollæ faux_ inflata: _labium_ superius concavum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

DRACOCEPHALUM _denticulatum_ floribus spicatis remotis, foliis obovato-lanceolatis superne denticulatis. _Ait. Kew. V. 2. p. 317._

About the year 1786, we received from Philadelphia, seeds of a plant collected at a considerable distance from that city, announced to us as new and rare, and which produced the present species of _Dracocephalum_: Mr. WATSON, Nurseryman at Islington, obtained the same plant from Carolina, about the same period.

It is a hardy perennial, multiplying considerably by its roots, which creep somewhat; it must be planted in a moist soil, and shady situation, for such it affects, and in such only will it thrive.

It flowers in August and September.

It bears a considerable affinity to the _Dracocephalum virginianum_, to which, though a much rarer plant, it is inferior in point of beauty; it spreads more on the ground, its flowering stems are not altogether so upright, nor so tall, the leaves are broader, and the flowers in the spikes less numerous.

[215]

RANUNCULUS ACRIS FLORE PLENO. DOUBLE UPRIGHT CROWFOOT.

_Class and Order._

POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-phyllus. _Petala_ 5, intra ungues poro mellisero. _Sem._ nuda.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

RANUNCULUS _acris_ calycibus patulis, pedunculis teretibus, foliis tripartito multifidis: summis linearibus. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr. p. 517._

RANUNCULUS hortensis erectus flore pleno. _Bauh. Pin. p. 178. ?._

RANUNCULUS pratensis flore multiplici. _Park. Parad. p. 218._

The double yellow field Crowfoot.

In giving a representation of this species of Ranunculus, we have made a slight deviation from the strict letter of our plan, as expressed in the title page, which confines us to the figuring of foreign plants only; we have thought, however, that it would not be inconsistent with the spirit of the _Flower-Garden Displayed_, were we occasionally to introduce such English plants as have double flowers, and which, on that account, are thought worthy of a place in every garden; they are but few in number, and we flatter ourselves that this trifling alteration will be approved by our numerous readers.

The _Ranunculus acris_ is the first that we offer of these; a plant, in its wild and single state, common in all our rich meadows, and in its improved, or to speak more botanically, in its monstrous state (all double flowers being monsters, for the most part formed from the preternatural multiplication of their petals) it has long been cultivated in gardens abroad, as well as here.

There are certain ornamental plants of the perennial kind, which, if once introduced, will succeed with the least possible trouble, and therefore suit such as have little time to bestow on their flower-gardens; the present plant is one of those: if the soil in which we plant it be moist, it will grow most readily, and flower during the months of June and July; and it is easily increased, by parting its roots in autumn.

[216]

CYPRIPEDIUM ALBUM. WHITE-PETAL'D LADIES SLIPPER.

_Class and Order._

GYNANDRIA DIANDRIA.

_Generic Character._

_Nectarium_ ventricosum inflatum cavum.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

CYPRIPEDIUM _album_ radicibus fibrosis foliis ovato-lanceolatis caulinis, petalis obtusis. _Ait. Hort. Kew. V. 3. p. 303._

HELLEBORINE Calceolus dicta mariana flore gemello candido, venis purpureis, striato. _Pluk. Mant. 101. t. 418. f. 3._

CYPRIPEDIUM _hirsutum_ foliis oblongo ovatis venosis hirsutis flore maximo. _Mill. Dict. ed. 6. 4to._

CYPRIPEDIUM _spectabile_. Corolla labio superiore ovali basi retuso concavo subtus carina obtusa, inferiore petalis longiore grosso. _Salisb. Trans. Linn. Soc. V. 1. p. 78._

Of the genus _Cypripedium_, Great-Britain produces only one, America several species; of these the _album_ here figured, (whose name is derived from the whiteness of its petals, and with which the nectary must not be confounded) is by far the most magnificent; indeed there are few flowers which to such singularity of structure add such elegance and beauty: it grows spontaneously in various parts of North-America, and chiefly in the woods; was introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Mr. WILLIAM YOUNG about the year 1770, but was known to Mr. MILLER, and cultivated by him at Chelsea long before that period; this intelligent and truly practical author informs us, that all the sorts of Cypripedium are with difficulty preserved and propagated in gardens; he recommends them to be planted in a loamy soil, and in a situation where they may have the morning sun only; they must, he observes, for the above reasons, be procured from the places where they naturally grow; the roots should be seldom removed, for transplanting them prevents their flowering, which usually takes place in June.

A greater proof of the difficulty of increasing these plants need not be adduced than their present scarcity, though vast numbers have been imported, how few can boast of possessing them, or of preserving them for any length of time; careful management in their cultivation will doubtless go far, but peculiarity of soil and situation would appear to be of greater importance: it is well known that certain plants thrive in certain districts only, the double yellow rose, for instance, barely exists near London, yet this plant I have seen growing most luxuriantly, and producing a profusion of bloom, in the late Mr. MASON'S garden, Cheshunt, Herts, and in which various Orchis's also acquired nearly twice their usual size,--enviable spot!

INDEX.

In which the Latin Names of the Plants contained in the _Sixth Volume_ are alphabetically arranged.

_Pl._

200 Antirrhinum sparteum.

207 ---- alpinum.

199 Aster alpinus.

210 Celsia linearis.

195 Cheiranthus mutabilis.

181 Colutea frutescens.

188 Convolvulus Nil.

185 Coronilla valentina.

192 Cypripedium acaule.

216 ---- album.

207 Dianthus barbatus.

214 Dracocephalum denticulatum.

189 Erica grandiflora.

194 Fritillaria imperialis.

203 Geranium angulatum.

206 ---- anemonefolium.

209 Hibiscus Trionum.

198 Indigofera candicans.

187 Iris sambucina.

184 Ixia crocata.

202 Lupinus perennis.

208 Melissa grandiflora.

193 Narcissus angustifolius.

197 ---- biflorus.

190 Ornithogalum aureum.

201 Pelargonium bicolor.

213 Polygonum orientale.

191 Primula marginata.

204 Ranunculus aconitifolius.

215 ---- acris flore pleno.

182 Salvia aurea.

196 Saxifraga crassifolia.

211 Sedum populifolium.

186 Selago ovata.

183 Syringa vulgaris.

212 Tanacetum flabelliforme.

INDEX.

In which the English Names of the Plants contained in the _Sixth Volume_ are alphabetically arranged.

_Pl._

199 Aster alpine.

208 Balm great-flower'd.

181 Bladder-senna scarlet.

210 Celsia linear-leav'd.