_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.
_Fúchsias_, Ladies' ear drop. About twelve species. Several of them
elegant and handsome shrubs. _F. virgáta_ and _F. cònica_ are the most
splendid of deciduous Green-house shrubs; the nerves of the leaves and
young wood of the former are tinged with purplish red; the large pendant
flowers which are produced from the axils of the leaves of the young
wood continue during the growing season. _F. cònica_ grows strong,
foliage green, flowers pendant, corolla more spreading than the other,
and when in flower is a complete mass of scarlet blossoms. It flowers
all summer. _F. coccínea_ is a common and celebrated plant, and
deservedly so. _F. microphylla_ is a neat glowing, small flowering
species. _F. arbórea_, has very large foliage, and rose coloured
flowers; a scarce species, but very desirable. _F. gràcilis_ and _F.
thymifòlia_, are both fine; most of the flowers are a bright scarlet,
the stamens are encircled with a petal of bright purple, and are of very
curious construction; they bear a dark purple berry, and are of the
easiest cultivation, but during summer they must be carefully kept in
the shade.
_Gelsèmium nìtidum_, Carolina jessamine, a most beautiful climbing
evergreen, flowering shrub. In the months of April and May, it produces
many large yellow trumpet-like blossoms of delicious fragrance. If much
fostered in growth, it will not flower so freely.
_Gnaphàlium_, everlasting. This genus has got all the beautiful Cape
species taken out of it, and given to _Astélma_ and _Helichrysum_. Of
_Astélma_ there are above ten species, most of them very splendid,
everlasting flowers. _A. exímia_ has brilliant red flowers. _A.
spiràlis_, _A. speciosíssima_, _A. frùticans_, and _A. imbricàtum_, are
all very fine; pots must be well drained.
_Helychrysums_, above forty species, chiefly belonging to the
Green-house, all everlasting flowers. _H. grandiflòrum_, _H. arbòreum_,
_H. orientàle_, _H. fràgrans_, _H. adoratìssimum_, _H. frùticans_, and
_H. fúlgidum_, are all very esteemed species, mostly soft white foliage.
The pots should be well drained, and the plants kept in an airy
situation, as they suffer from the least damp. If the flowers are cut
off before they fade, they will retain for many years all the splendour
of their beauty; but if allowed to decay on the plant, they will soon
become musty, and all their colour fade.
_Gompholòbiums_, a genus of very pretty delicate plants, all
papilionaceous; flowers generally yellow with a little red; foliage very
variable. G. _barbígerum_, G. _polimórfum_, G. _latifòlium_, G.
_grandiflòrum_, and G. _venústum_, are fine, the pots must be well
drained, and care taken that they are not over watered; they grow
freely.
_Genístas_: a few of these are very pretty free flowering shrubs. G.
_canariénsis_, G. _tricuspidáta_, G. _cuspidòsa_, and G. _umbellàta_,
are the finest Green-house species. All of them have yellow leguminose
flowers in great abundance; leaves small, lanceolate.
_Gnídias_, about ten species of pretty Green-house shrubs. G. _símplex_,
G. _serícea_, G. _imbérbis_, and G. _pinifòlia_, flower the most freely;
flowers straw colour, tubular, and corymbose. G. _símplex_ is
sweet-scented, leaves small; the pots must be well drained, and care
taken that they do not get either too wet or too dry, for the roots are
very delicate. The plants must be kept near the glass, or they will be
drawn weak.
_Goodènia_, a genus of about twelve species, with cordate, serate,
alternate foliage. G. _stellígera_, and G. _suáveolens_ are
sweet-scented; G. _ovàta_ and G. _grandiflòra_ are the best. They are
principally small shrubs, with terminale or axillary flowers, and flower
during summer.
_Gortèria personàta_ is the only species that belongs to this genus, and
is an annual. There are several plants in our collections known as
_Gortèrias_, but which properly are _Gazània_, of which there are five
species. G. _rìngens_, when the flowers are fully expanded, (which will
only be while exposed to the sun, closing at night, and opening again
with the influence of the sun's rays,) is a great beauty. The rays of
the flowers are bright orange, and the centre dark purple. _G. pavónia_
has handsome foliage; flower similar to _G. rìngens_, except the centre
of the flower being spotted, and is thought to be the finest, but does
not flower so freely. _G. heterophylla_ is of the same character, except
the foliage, which is variable, the colour orange and vermilion. They
are half shrubby dwarf growing plants, and during the months of July,
August, and September, are liable to damp off at the surface of the
earth, from the action of heat, and too much water. Pots must be well
drained, and the plants kept partially in the shade. Their flowers are
syngenesious, and about two inches in diameter.
_Grevílleas_, about thirty species. A few of them very handsome in
flower and foliage, among which are _G. punícea_; _G. acanthifòlia_,
(beautiful foliage); _G. concínna_, very pretty straw and rose-coloured
flowers; _G. juniperìna_, green and straw-coloured; _G. lineàris_, white
flowers. The flowers of the whole are curious, though not very
attractive. Some carry their flowers in racemose spikes, others on
flowering branches, which are recurved; the petals are very small and
rugged; the stile longer than the appendage. They grow freely, flower
and ripen seeds; all evergreen dwarf shrubs.
_Hàkeas_, about forty species, not generally so interesting or
attractive as the last genus; flowers all white; construction similar to
_Grevíllea_, but the foliage more varied. _H. gibbòsa_, _H. nítida_, _H.
salígna_, _H. suavèolens_, sweet-scented, _H. conculàta_, and _H.
lambérti_, are the best, and afford a curious variety of foliage; flower
in June. Drain the pots well.
_Hemerocállis_, Day Lily. Only _H. speciòsa_ of this genus belongs to
the Green-house; the flower is spacious, and of copper colour. A native
of Jamaica. It has not found its way into our collections. It is
herbaceous, and while growing requires much water. The plant known with
us as _H. japónica_ is now _Fúnkia álba_, (and justly, for the most
superficial observer could have distinguished it as not belonging to
_Hemerocállis_.) It requires to be much fostered to flower well, and
plenty of water. If properly treated, it is a magnificent flower, and
continues flowering from July to September. We doubt not it may prove a
hardy herbaceous plant, (the same as _F. cærùlea_,) if protected during
the first winter.
_Hermánnias_, a genus of about forty species, all natives of the Cape of
Good Hope, and not worth cultivating. They have yellow cup-like flowers,
and are of the easiest cultivation. Several species are in our
collections.
_Hibbértias_, about ten species. Three of them are very fine climbing
evergreen shrubs, viz. _H. glossulariæfòlia_; _H. dentàta_; _H.
volùbilis_, if closely approached has a disagreeable smell; _H.
fasciculàta_, _H. salígna_, and H. _pedunculàta_, are evergreen shrubs;
they have pure yellow flowers of five petals, blooming from May to
September.
_Habránthus_, about ten species of small South American bulbs, nearly
allied to _Amaryllis_. H. _Andersónii_, H. _versícolor_, and H.
_robústa_ are the finest; they are in colour yellow, blue, and lilac. We
have very little doubt but these bulbs will do to plant out in the
garden in April, and be lifted in October. Keep them from frost. Thus
treated, they are very desirable bulbs.
_Hòveas_, about eight species, pretty plants of New South Wales, blue
pea-flowering evergreen shrubs; the finest are H. _lineàris_, H.
_rosmarinifòlia_, H. _longifòlia_, and H. _Célsii_, which is the most
superb, and flowers in abundance. They grow and flower freely; the pots
should be drained.
_Hydrángea horténsis_ is a well known plant, and much esteemed for its
great profusion of very elegant, though monstrous, flowers. They are
naturally of a rose colour, but under certain circumstances of culture
they become blue. If grown in brown loam with a little sand, they will
preserve their original colour; but if grown in swamp earth with a
little mould of decayed leaves, they will become blue. The swamp earth
and vegetable mould being more combined with aluminous salt than brown
loam, is the cause of the change; and, when first found out, (which was
merely by chance,) was thought a great wonder. It must have a very
plentiful supply of water when in flower, which is produced on the
shoots of the previous year. They will neither grow nor flower well if
they are not kept constantly in the shade. When kept in the sun, the
foliage is very brown; and by being neglected in watering, we have seen
the flowers completely scourged. Being tolerably hardy, when the winters
are mild, by a little protection in the open air, they will flower
profusely; the flowers will be very large, and in bloom from June to
October. They are deciduous, soft wooded shrubs.
_Hypéricums_, St. John's wort, about twenty species. A few of them are
very showy, and with few exceptions have yellow flowers. _H. monógynum_,
H. _balearicum_, H. _floribúndum_, H. _canariénse_, H. _ægyptìacum_, and
H. _cochinchinense_, which has scarlet flowers, are amongst the best,
and all of them flower freely; five petals, filaments many in three or
five parcels. They are all of very easy cultivation, and bloom generally
from April to September.
_Ilex_, Holly, of _I. aquifòlium_. There are above one hundred species
of them in cultivation in Europe, differing in variegation, margin,
shape, and size of the leaves; some are only prickly on the margin of
the foliage, others prickly over all the surface. In Europe they are all
hardy, but with us few or none of the varieties are so. If they become
acclimated, they will be a great ornament to our gardens, being all low
evergreen shrubs. The most common and conspicuous varieties are the
_hedgehog_, _striped hedgehog_, _white edged_, _gold edged_, and
_painted_; the flowers are white and small, berries yellow or red; they
do not agree with exposure to the sun. _J. Cassíne_ and _J. vomitòria_
have very bitter leaves, and, though natives of Carolina, we have to
give them the protection of a Green-house. It is said that at certain
seasons of the year the Indians make a strong decoction of the leaves,
which makes them vomit freely, and after drinking and vomiting for a few
days, they consider themselves sufficiently purified.
_Illíciums_, Aniseed-tree, three species. _I. floridànum_, has very
sweet-scented, double purple flowers, and the plant grows freely and
systematically if properly treated, and deserves the attention of the
admirers of flowers. _I. parviflòrum_ has small yellow flowers; _I.
anisàtum_ is so very like _I. parviflòrum_ in every respect, as to make
us conclude they are the same, were _I. anisátum_ not a native of China,
and the other two natives of Florida. When the leaves and capsules of
either of them are rubbed, they have a very strong smell of anise;--they
grow very freely.
_Indigófera_; Indigo-tree, about twenty species, belong to the
Green-house, and are chiefly pretty free flowering shrubs. _I.
denudàta_, _I. amæna_, _I. austràlis_, _I. angulàta_, _I. càndicans_,
and _I. filifòlia_, are very fine; flowers papilionaceous, in long
panicles; colour various, red, blue, yellow, and pink.
_Isopògons_, about ten species of _Pròtea_-like plants, all natives of
New Holland. They are very stiff shrubs, with leaves very much divided,
and cone-like flowers at the extremity of the shoots. _I. formòsus_, _I.
anemonifòlius_, _I. attenuàtis_, and _I. polycéphalis_, are the finest;
flowers are straw, lilac, white, and yellow coloured; the pots must be
well drained, and the plants not over-crowded.
_Justícias._ Only a few of these belong to the Green-house, and are
very simple looking flowers. The most beautiful of them belong to the
Hot-house. _J. nìgricans_, small striped flower; _J. orchioídes_ and _J.
Adhátoda_, Malanut, are the only ones that are worth observation, and
are very easily cultivated. _J. Adhátoda_ has good looking foliage, but
does not flower until the plant becomes large; colour white and light
purple.
_Jacksònias._ A genus consisting of five species. The foliage is varied,
and all natives of New South Wales. _J. scopària_ is similar to a plant
in our collections, called _Vimenària denudata_. _J. hórrida_, and _J.
reticulàta_, are the finest; the small flowers come out of the young
shoots, are yellow and papilionaceous; the pots should be well drained.
_Kennèdias_, about nine species, all evergreen climbers, of the easiest
culture, and flower abundantly. _K. monophylla_, blue flowered, and _K.
rubicúnda_, crimson flowered, are common in our collections. _K.
prostràta_, (once _Glycine coccínea_) one-flowered scarlet, and _K.
coccínea_, many flowered scarlet, are very pretty. _K. Comptoniàna_ has
splendid purple flowers, and _K. inophylla_ is thought the most superb.
It is very rare, and we have not seen it flower. They are large purple.
The pots should be well drained; and if the plants are much fostered,
they will not flower so well; flowers are either in racemose spikes, or
solitary, which is rather too much distinction for the same genus.
_Lambértias_, four species of very fine plants, natives of New Holland.
L. _formòsa_ is the finest of the genus that we have seen; flowers large
and of a splendid rose colour. L. _echinàta_ is said to be finer, but
has not flowered in cultivation. L. _uniflòra_ has single red flowers,
and L. _inérmis_ orange coloured. They are rare plants in the
collections on this side of the Atlantic. Drain the pots well; the
foliage is narrow, and of a hard dry nature.
_Lasiopètalums_, only two species. There were a few more, but they are
now _Thomàsias_, plants of no merit whatever, in regard to flower;
foliage three lobed, small, rough, and rusty-like. _Thomàsia solanàcea_
and _T. quereifòlia_, are the best species; foliage of the former is
large, cordate, and deep indented; they are all of the easiest culture.
_Lavándulas_, Lavender, about seven species belong to the Green-house,
and a few of them very pretty soft-wooded, half shrubby plants, and if
touched, are highly scented. L. _dentàta_ has narrow serrated foliage,
very neat. _L. formòsa_ and _L. pinnàta_ are desirable; blue flowers on
a long spike; should be kept near the glass; they are of the easiest
culture.
_Laúrus._ A few species are Green-house plants. This genus has been
divided to _Cinnamòmum_; still there are a few celebrated plants in the
original. L. _nòbilis_, sweet bay, though hardy, is kept under
protection. It will bear the winter with a little straw covering,
notwithstanding there should be a plant kept in the house in case of
accident by frost or otherwise; there is a variegated variety of it. _L.
índica_, royal bay, _L. f[oe]tens_, _L. aggregàta_, and _L. glúaca_, are
favourites. There is a species known in our collections as _L. scábra_.
The Camphire tree, known as _L. camphòra_, is _Cinnamòmum camphòra_; the
wood, leaves, and roots of this tree have a very strong odour of
camphire. It is obtained by distillation from the roots and small
branches, which are cut into chips, and put into a net suspended within
an iron pot, the bottom of which is covered with water, having an
earthen head fitted in it; heat is then applied, and the steam of the
boiling water acting upon the contents of the net, elevates the camphire
into the capital, where it concretes on the straws, with which this part
of the apparatus is lined. They are all fine evergreens, (which the name
denotes,) and easily cultivated,
_Lìnums_, Flax, two or three species are very fine, and flower freely.
_L. trigynum_ has large yellow flowers in clusters, and _L.
ascyrifôlium_, whose flowers are large, blue, and white, and in long
spikes. The shape of them is very like the flower vulgarly called
Morning-glory.
_Lobèlias._ Several of them when well treated, form most magnificent
flowering plants; they are principally herbaceous. L. _Tùpa_ has the
largest foliage, and fine scarlet flowers. L. _speciôsa_, flowers light
purple; L. _fúlgens_, crimson flowers; L. _spléndens_, scarlet flowers.
The three last are of the same habit; the colours brilliant; and to grow
them well, they should be divided, (if there are several shoots
arising,) when they begin to grow, putting them first into four inch
pots, and shifting them frequently, having them to flower in those of
nine or ten inches, which will be about the end of June, or first of
July, and they will continue until October. The pots must be always kept
in pans or saucers filled with water; likewise give plenty to the
surface of the earth, which is to be done during their time of growth
and flowering. If this is attended to, they will produce flower stalks
from four to six feet in height, and covered with branches and spikes of
flowers from bottom to top. The corolla is pentapetalous, three down
and two up; they require a little shade. The genus consists of about
eighty species; seventy of them are exotics; many of them natives of the
Cape of Good Hope, with little flowers of brilliant colours. L.
_cærùlea_, L. _Thunbérgii_, L. _corymbôsa_, L. _pyramidàlis_, and L.
_ilicifòlia_, are very fine species, of weak growth, but flower freely.
_Lomàtias_, about six species; flowers are white or straw colour, and
similar to _Grevíllea_, but the foliage more handsome.
_Lophospérmum scándens._ This is a magnificent new climbing soft wooded
shrub, with purple, campanulate flowers, which are produced from the
axils on the young wood; they bloom from May to September; leaves large,
cordate, and tomentose; grows rapidly, and flowers abundantly.
_Lachnæas_, about five species, remarkable for their downy heads of
white flowers; leaves small, ovate, lanceolate. L. _glaùca_, L.
_conglomeràta_, and L. _eriocéphala_, are the best species. The pots
must be well drained, and in summer the plants protected from the sun.
_Leonòtis_, Lion's-ear, four species. They have very fine scarlet
tubular flowers, orifice-toothed. They come out in large whorls, and
look elegant; but neither plant nor foliage has an agreeable appearance.
They are of the easiest culture. L. _intermédia_, and L. _Leonùrus_, are
the best flowering species.
_Leucospérmums_, about eighteen species, of Proteacious plants, chiefly
low growing, and are mostly downy or hairy; flowers yellow, in terminale
heads. L. _formósum_, L. _grandiflòrum_, L. _tomentósum_, and L.
_candicans_, rose-scented. These are fine species. For treatment, see
_Pròteas_.
_Lipàrias_, about five species, much esteemed for their beauty of
foliage; leaves ovate, lanceolate, downy or woolly; flowers yellow,
leguminose, and capitate. L. _sphærica_, L. _tomentósa_, L. _villósa_,
and L. _serícea_, are the finest. L. _vistìta_ and L. _villósa_ are the
same, although put in many catalogues as different species. None of them
ought to be much watered over the foliage, as it adheres to the down,
and causes the young shoots to damp off. Drain the pots well, and keep
the plants in an airy situation.
_Lysinèmas_, four species, closely allied to _Epácris_. In every respect
treatment the same. L. _pentapítalum_, L. _conspicum_, and L. _ròseum_,
are the best; the flowers of the two former are white. L. _silaifòlia_
has leaves bipinnatifid and smooth, segments wedge-shaped and cut. L.
_dentàta_ and L. _ilicifòlia_ are the finest; the pots should be
drained.
_Lonícera japónica._ There is a plant in our collections known by that
name, which is now _Nintooa longiflàra_; flowers of a straw colour, but
come out white. It has been known to withstand the winter, but does not
flower, and is frequently killed entirely.
_Lychnis coroàta_, is an esteemed Chinese plant; flowers-in abundance,
pentapetalous, large, and a little indented at the edges; colour a
red-like orange; flowers terminale and axillary. The roots must be
divided every spring, or they will dwindle away to nothing. Perhaps a
good method of treatment would be to divide the roots, and plant them in
the garden; they would flower well, and could be lifted in the fall,
and put under protection. We have no doubt that it may become
acclimated. If not done so, plant them in four inch pots, and repot them
into those of six inch in May. Do not expose them while in flower to the
mid-day sun, for it will deteriorate the fine colour.
_Leptospérmums_, about thirty species, all pretty New Holland evergreen
dwarf shrubs, with small white flowers. L. _baccàtum_, L. _péndulum_, L.
_juníperinum_, L. _ovátum_, L. _stellàtum_, L. _grandiflórum_, and L.
_scopàrium_, are the best of the species. The latter was used as tea by
Capt. Cook's ship's crew. It is an agreeable bitter, with a pleasant
flavour, when fresh. When young plants are growing, they ought to be
frequently topped to make them bushy, and kept in an airy situation, or
they will be drawn and unsightly. They are of very easy culture.
_Leucadéndrons_, Silver tree, above forty species, all natives of Cape
of Good Hope. They are evergreens with handsome, silvery-like foliage.
L. _argentéum_ (once _Pròtea argentéa_) is a great beauty; foliage
white, lanceolate, and silky. It is a plant that has been long in
cultivation, greatly admired, and much sought for, and is the finest of
the genus. L. _squarròsum_, L. _stellàtum_, (once _Pròtea stellaris_) L.
_tórtum_, L. _servíceum_, L. _margìnàtum_, and L. _plumôsum_ (once _P.
parviflòra_) are all fine species. The pots must be well drained, and
the plants never over-watered. They are very desirable in collections
for their beauty of foliage; flowers similar to _Pròtea_.
_Magnòlias._ There are four species that require the protection of our
Green-houses; all the others are hardy. M. _fuscàta_, and M.
_annonæfòlia_, are very similar in foliage and flower: the young
branches and leaves of M. _fuscàta_ is covered with a brown, rusty-like
down; the other by some is considered merely a variety; flowers small,
brown, and very sweet-scented. M. _pùmila_ is very dwarf growing; leaves
large and netted; flowers semi-double, white, pendant, and fragrant.
They are natives of China. We have several others from the east, but
being deciduous are perfectly hardy. M. _odoratíssima_, now _Talàuma
Candólii_, a native of the Island of Java, and said to be very
odoriferous, but is very rare even in Europe; said to have a straw
coloured flower. M. _conspícua_ is desirable to have in the Green-house,
if enarched on a stock of M. _purpùrea_, which will always keep it
dwarf, and it will flower magnificently in February and March.
_Melalèucas_, above thirty species, and a beautiful genus of New Holland
plants, of easy culture; flowers come out of the wood like fringes. M.
_elíptica_, M. _fúlgens_, scarlet, M. _decussàta_, M. _hypericifòlia_,
M. _squarròsa_, M. _linarifòlia_, M. _incana_, M. _tetragònia_, M.
_thymifòlia_, are all very fine species, and flower freely if they have
been grown from cuttings; the singularity of flower and diversity of
foliage make them generally thought of.
_Maurándias_, three species, of very pretty climbing Green-house plants,
flowering from March to October. M. _Barclàyana_ has splendid flowers,
large, light blue, campanulate, and very abundant. M. _semperflòrens_
has rose coloured flowers, of the same character. They will flower best
if planted in the ground.
_Myrsínes_, Cape Myrtle, dwarf cape evergreen shrubs covered with small
flowers from March to May. M. _retùsa_ has green and purple flowers; M.
_rotundifòlia_, flowers white and purple. They will grow in any
situation, and are of easy culture.
_Méspilus japónica._ The plant, known under that name, is now
_Eriabòtrya japónica_, Loquat, is a fine plant with large lanceolate,
distantly serrated leaves, white underneath; small white flowers on a
racemose spike, and produces a fruit about the size of a walnut, of a
fine yellow blush colour, and of delicious flavour. If it flowers in the
fall, it will require the heat of a Hot-house to ripen the fruit. It is
of very easy culture, and its noble aspect is never passed unobserved.
_Metrosidèros_, about five species. Many have been added to
_Callistèmon_. M. _flòrida_, M. _umbellata_, and M. _angustifòlia_, are
the best species. C. _salígnum_, C. _lanceolàtum_, variety
_semperiflòrens_, C. _glaùcum_, once M. _speciòsa_, has splendid scarlet
flowers and C. _formòsum_; these are all beautiful plants, with scarlet
flowers. Other two beautiful species with white flowers have been given
to _Angóphora_. A. _cordifòlia_, once M. _híspida_, and A. _lanceolàta_,
once M. _costàta_; these genera are very easily distinguished from any
other Australasian shrubs, by the peculiar character of having both
sides of the leaves alike. The flowers consist of stamens, stiles, and
anthers, coming in hundreds out of the young wood for the length of
three or four inches, forming a dense cone crowned with a small twig;
leaving capsules in the wood, which will keep their seeds perfect for a
great number of years. They grow freely, and the pots should be well
drained.
_Myrtus_, Myrtle, is a well known and popular shrub, especially the
common varieties; and was a great favourite, (even to adoration,) among
the ancients. It was the mark of authority for Athenian rulers, and is
amongst the moderns an emblem of pre-eminence. They are elegant
evergreen shrubs, with an agreeable odour. M. _commùnis multipléx_,
double flowering, is a very neat shrub, and flowers abundantly. M.
_commùnis leucocárpa_, White-fruited Myrtle, is quite unique, when the
berries are on it. M. _itálica variagáta_, striped leaved; M. _itálica
maculàta_, blotch leaved, are very fine shrubs; and M. _tomentòsa_,
Chinese Myrtle, is a magnificent erect growing shrub, with a white down
over the foliage; the flowers are the largest of the genus. When they
first expand, they are white, and afterwards change to purple, so that
there are beautiful flowers of several shades of colour on the plant. We
have not the smallest doubt but this species will become in many
instances as plentiful as the common myrtle. It is more easily grown,
but cannot stand much exposure to the sun in summer. M. _tenuifòlia_ is
a very fine plant, and a native of New South Wales. Myrtles in general
should be sprinkled with water in the evenings, to keep off mildew and
red spider.
_Nandìna doméstica_, the only species, and a popular shrub in the
gardens of Japan, where it is called _Nandin_. It has supra-decompound
leaves, with entire lanceolate leaflets, a kind of foliage that is very
rare; the flowers are small, whitish green, in panicles, succeeded by
berries of the size of a pea; drain the pots well.
_Nèrium_, (Oleander,) is a genus of beautiful erect growing evergreen
shrubs, of the easiest culture, and abundant in flower. _N. oleánder_ is
the common rose coloured single flowering species, from which six
varieties have originated. At present the most popular is _N. oleánder
splèndens_, which has a double rose coloured flower. There is one that
has got in our collections as double white which is only semi-double. We
have seen a white, variety as double as _N. o. splèndens_, and have no
doubt but in a few years it will be plentiful. _N. oleánder
elegantìssimum_, a most beautiful plant, with deep silver-edged foliage;
and the young wood is striped white and green. We are not positive in
respect to the beauty of its flowers, but it has a high character. We
have heard of a double-yellow variety, but the reports are not properly
authenticated; and we doubt it very much. There are likewise single
yellow, single white, and single blotched varieties of _N. oleánder_.
They are subject to the small white scaly insect, and should be
frequently washed, as has been directed, to keep it off.
_Oleas_, Olive, about twelve species and varieties. _O. Europæa
longifòlia_, is the species that is cultivated to such an extent in the
south of France, and Italy. _O. Europæa latifòlia_ is chiefly cultivated
in Spain. The fruit is larger than that of Italy, but the oil is not so
pleasant, which is obtained by crushing the fruit to a paste, and
pressing it through a woollen bag, adding hot water as long as any oil
is yielded. The oil is then skimmed off the water, and put into barrels,
bottles, &c. for use. The tree seldom exceeds thirty feet, and is a
branchy glaucous evergreen, and said to be of great longevity. Some
plantations at Turin in Italy are supposed to have existed from the time
of Pliny. It frequently flowers in our collections, but seldom carries
fruit; flowers white, in small racemose axillary spikes. _O. cupénsis_
has a thick large oblong foliage; flowers white, in large terminale
panicles. _O. verrucòsa_, foliage flat, lanceolate, and white beneath,
branches curiously warted. _O. fragráns_, foliage and blossoms are both
highly odoriferous; the plant is much esteemed in China, and is said to
be used to adulterate and flavour teas. Leaves are elliptic, lanceolate,
and a little serrated; flowers white in lateral bunches. It is subject
to the small, white scaly insect, and ought to be carefully kept from
them by washing. _O. paniculata_ is a fine species. They are all very
easily cultivated.
_Oxylòbiums_, seven species, plants very similar to _Callistachys_, with
ovate, cordate, light coloured, pubescent foliage, with papilionaceous
flowers. _O. obtusifòlium_ has scarlet flowers; _O. retùsum_, orange
flowers; and _O. ellípticum_, yellow flowers. They grow freely, and
should be well drained; flower from May to August.
_Pelargòniums_, Stork's Bill. This genus, so universally known amongst
us as _Gerànium_, from which it was separated many years ago, is a
family of great extent and variety, for which we are principally
indebted to the Cape of Good Hope. By cultivation from seed many hundred
beautiful species and well marked varieties have been obtained. There
are about five hundred species, with upwards of two hundred varieties.
They are of every character, colour and shade, of the most vivid
description. The easy cultivation of the _Pelargònium_ tribe, or
_Geràniums_, as they are commonly called, has rendered them very
popular; also the agreeableness of scent and fragrance of which many of
them are possessed, makes them favourites. If their flowering season was
of longer duration, the varieties and species would be quite
indispensable in collections; but there is every appearance that in a
few years the aspect of them will be changed. The present prevailing
colour of the flower, (which has five petals, three hanging and two
erect, the erect petals being always of the darkest shade,) is a white
or pink ground, with lilac, purple, or pink stripes, flakes, or spots,
and blooms from April to June; though they bloom profusely in large
bunches, the time is limited. The species and varieties that have a red
ground, with black or dark crimson stripes or spots, generally bloom
during the whole summer. These, though scarce in the collections of the
country, will in a few years root out those whose flowers are of such
short duration, and by their blooms charm us half of the year.
The tuberous and fleshy stemmed species are far more interesting to the
discriminating inquirer than the common kinds. Their habit and
constitution are so peculiar, that we have frequently wondered that they
have not been separated into distinct genera. The cultivation of them is
more difficult, water being very prejudicial to them when they are
inactive. When they are well managed, they flower beautifully, and the
colours are very superior and peculiar, having frequently bright green
and purple in the same flower. If some of the colours of these could be
compounded with the large flowering kinds, those hybridised would be
magnificent.
The best method to adopt in impregnating these, is to choose the female,
one that has large flowers, of easy cultivation, and as nearly allied in
character and other habits as possible. When a flower of the intended
female is newly expanded, take a pair of very fine pointed scissors, and
cut off the anthers before the pollen expands; then as soon as the
summit of the stile divides, apply the pollen taken from the anthers of
the intended male plant on a very fine camel hair pencil, or cut out the
stigma entirely, and place the anther on the summit of the stile, which,
if correctly done, will have the desired effect. As soon as the seed is
ripe, sow it in light sandy soil; and when it has come up, take care not
to over-water the soil, which would cause them to damp off. When they
are about one inch high, put them into small pots, and treat as the
other varieties. Have them all distinctly marked until they flower,
which will be in the second year from the time of sowing.
_Phórmium tènax_, New Zealand flax lily, the only species; foliage
resembling an _Iris_, and very thready. In New Zealand and Norfolk
Island, the natives manufacture from this plant a kind of stuff like
coarse linen, cordage, &c.; the plant is very hardy, and we would be no
way surprised to see it stand the severity of our winters. It bears
exposure to the open air in Europe in the 56th degree of north latitude.
The flowers are said to be yellow and lily-like; of the easiest
culture.
_Phylicas_, above twenty-five species. Several of them are very pretty
growing evergreen shrubs, and of easy culture. P. _horizontàlis_, P.
_squarròsa_, P. _imbricàta_, P. _myrtifòlia_, P. _callòsa_, P.
_bícolor_, and P. _ericoídes_, are all neat growing; flowers small,
white, in heads; drain the pots well, and keep them in an airy
situation. The foliage of several of the species is downy.
_Pimèleas_, about fourteen species. Most of them are highly esteemed,
and are not often seen in our collections. P. _decussàta_ is the finest
of the genus, both in foliage and flowers, which are red, and in large
terminale clusters; P. _rôsea_, P. _linifòlia_, white, P. _spicàta_, and
P. _drupàcea_, are all fine species. The latter has the largest foliage,
which is ovate and accuminate; berry-bearing. They should be well
drained. They are very small evergreen shrubs, with white or red
flowers.
_Pittósporums_, about nine species, with handsome foliage, and small
white flowers in clusters, which are fragrant. P. _Tobìra_ is a native
of China, and nearly hardy; leaves lucid, obovate, obtuse, and smooth.
P. _undulàtum_, P. _coriàceum_, P. _revolùtum_, P. _fúlvum_, and P.
_ferrugíneum_, are very ornamental evergreens, and will grow with the
most simple treatment.
_Platylòbiums_, Flat Pea, four species of fine free flowering plants;
flowers leguminose; colour yellow. P. _formòsum_, P. _oràtum_, and P.
_triangulàre_, are the best; the foliage of the two former is cordate,
ovate; the latter hastate, with spiny angles.
_Pistàcias_, seven species of trees, principally of the south of Europe.
There is nothing particular in their appearance, except their
productions in their native country. P. _terebínthus_ is deciduous, and
produces the Cyprus turpentine. P. _lentíscus_ is the true mastich tree,
which is obtained by cutting transverse incisions in the bark. P. _vèra_
and P. _reticulàta_ are good species; leaves pinnated; leaflets ovate,
lanceolate; easily cultivated.
_Plumbàgos_, Lead-wort. There are only two species of any consequence
belonging to the Green-house, P. _trístis_ and P. _capénsis_. The former
is a shy flowerer, but the latter flowers freely; colour beautiful light
blue, and flowers in spikes; foliage oblong, entire, and a little
glaucous; of very easy culture, and continues in bloom a considerable
time.
_Psoràleas_, above forty species. A few of them are worthy of
cultivation, P. _odoratíssima_, P. _spicàta_, P. _aculeàta_, P.
_argéntea_, and P. _tomentòsa_. They have all blue flowers, and
leguminose. They are chiefly low shrubs; and will flower and grow
freely; the pots require draining.
_Podalyrias_, about fourteen species of pretty Cape shrubs; foliage
oblong, obovate, and silky-like; the flowers leguminose; colour blue or
pink. P. _serícea_, P. _styracifòlia_, P. _corúscans_, P. _argéntea_, P.
_liparioídes_, and P. _subbiflòra_, are the finest and most distinct
species, and flower abundantly.
_Petsoónias_, about sixteen species of dwarf evergreen shrubs; leaves
oblong, or lanceolate, hairy, or downy; flowers axillary and solitary;
the pots should be well drained, and the plants in summer protected from
the sun. P. _hirsùta_, P. _móllis_, P. _teretifòlia_, and P. _lùcida_,
are the most distinct, and grow freely.
_Pròteas_, about forty-four species. The foliage of this genus is very
diversified; flowers very large, terminale; stamens protected by an
involucrum; many-leaved and imbricated; which is very persistent. P.
_cynaroídes_ has the largest flower, which is purple, green, and red. P.
_speciòsa_, P. _umbonàlis_, once P. _longifòlia_, P. _melaleùca_, P.
_grandiflòra_, P. _coccínea_, P. _cenocárpa_, P. _pállens_, P.
_formòsa_, P. _magnífica_, P. _speciòsa rúbra_, and P. _mellífera_, will
afford a very good variety. It is almost impossible to describe their
true colour, it being so various; red, white, straw, brown, green, and
purple, are most predominant, and frequently to be seen in the same
flower; the plants must be well drained; and during warm weather be
careful that they are not neglected in water, for if they are suffered
to droop, they seldom recover. For this reason the pots ought not to
stand in the strong sun; the plants can bear it, but to the roots it is
injurious.
_Pultenæas_, about forty species, pretty little dwarf growing shrubs of
New South Wales; flowers small, leguminose, all yellow, with a little
red outside of the petals. P. _villòsa_, P. _obcordàta_, P. _argéntea_,
P. _plumòsa_, P. _fléxilis_, shining leaved, fragrant; P. _cándida_, and
P. _strìcta_, are all fine species, and esteemed in collections. The
leaves are all small; they require an airy exposure, and the pots
drained.
_Rhododéndrons_ (Rose tree), a magnificent genus, and contains some of
the most superb and gigantic plants that adorn the Green-house. All the
_Azàleas_ (except A. _procúmbens_) both Chinese and American, have been
arranged under this genus. At present the most admired is _R. arbòreum_,
with varieties. _R. arbòreum_ has deep scarlet flowers, with dark spots
and flakes campanulated, and in large clusters; leaves lanceolate,
acute, rough, and silvery beneath. _R. arbòreum albúm_ is very rare. _R.
arbòreum supérbum_, flowers same shape as _arbòreum_, colour bright
scarlet; foliage one third larger, but not silvery beneath; grows
freely, and generally thought the finest variety. _R. arbòrea
álte-Clàrance_ is also very superb. There are several other varieties of
minor note. A Green-house without some of the scarlet varieties of that
plant, is deficient of a flower whose beauty and grandeur are beyond the
highest imagination. It is a native of Nepaul in India, and when found
by Dr. Wallach awakened the ambition of every cultivator and connoisseur
in Europe. There are several other species brought from that country
lately, but none of them has yet flowered. They are highly valued from
the productions of the above; the species are _R. campanulàtum_, _R.
anthopògon_, and _R. cinnamòmeum_. This is named from the colour of the
leaves, which are very peculiar and very handsome; the flowers are said
to be rose-coloured. These three last cannot be purchased under an
immense price; the others have been rarely seen in our collections, but
another year or two will make them more plentiful. Their beauty of
flower is beyond description. The pots should be well drained, and if
they are large, put several pieces of sandy stones or potshreds around
the side, for the fine fibres delight to twine about such, being
mountainous plants.
_Roéllas_, pretty leafy shrubs, with blue terminale funnel-shaped
flowers, lip-spreading; _R. cilliàta_, _R. spicàta_, and _R.
pedunculàta_, are the finest of the genus. The pots must be well
drained, and care taken that they are not over-watered.
_Sálvia_ (Sage), is an extensive genus of soft-wooded, shrubby, or
herbaceous plants; very few of them do well in the Green-house, and many
of them are very trifling, having no other attraction than the flower,
and those of the tender species, when compared with _S. élegans_, _S.
spléndens_, _S. cærúlea_, and _S. coccìnea_, (which in artificial
climates constitute the standard of the genus,) are not worth
cultivation. These last mentioned, if kept in the Green-house, will
merely keep in life, but a situation in the Hot-house would cause them
to flower frequently. The best method to adopt with the summer flowering
kinds, is to plant them in the garden in May; they will grow strong and
flower abundantly, and in the fall they can be lifted, and preserved
during winter in pots. They neither grow nor flower so well as when
planted out, and even a slip planted in the ground in moist weather will
root in a few days, grow, and flower in a few weeks. _S. spléndens_ is
the best to select for the purpose. _S. aùrea_, _S. paniculàta_, and _S.
índica_, are fine species. The latter is white and blue, with large
leaves; flowers monopetalous, and irregular; colour generally red or
blue in spiked whorls. All will grow easily with encouragement.
_Senècios._ Some species of this genus are pestiferous weeds all over
the world. They are found near the limits of perpetual snow, where
neither tree nor shrub is able to rear its head. Yet there are three
species that are neat little plants, and are worthy of a situation, viz.
_S. grandiflòrus_, _S. venústus_, and _S. cineráscens_, with the double
white and red variety of _S. élegans_. The two last varieties are free
flowering, but if allowed to grow several years, they become unsightly.
Being very easily propagated, a few cuttings of them should be put in,
in September, and in two weeks they will strike root, when they may be
put in pots to keep through the winter, and then planted in the garden,
continuing to renew them. The other mentioned species should be
frequently done the same way. Do not keep them damp during winter, or
they will rot off. Keep them in an airy exposure.
_Schótias_, a beautiful genus of six species, which will require the
warmest part of the Green-house to keep them. The foliage is handsome;
leaves compound: leaflets oval-lanceolate, and in pairs from six to ten;
_S. speciòsa_, crimson, flowers nearly papilionaceous, and in bunches,
the most superb of the genus. _S. alàta_, _S. latifòlia_, once
_Omphalòbium Schótia_, and _S. tamarindifólia_, are the finest; the
flowers of the others are red. The pots require to be drained, and the
plants protected from the hot sun.
_Swainsònas_, four species of free flowering, soft wooded shrubs,
natives of New South Wales. _S. galigifòlia_, _S. coronillæfòlia_, and
_S. astragalifòlia_, are red, purple, and white; leguminose flowers in
spikes from the axils, are of easy culture, and deserving of a
situation; the foliage is pinnate; leaflets ovate, acute.
_Scòttias_, three species of valuable plants; _S. dentàta_, with
scarlet leguminose blossoms; leaves opposite, ovate, accuminate,
serrate; _S. angustifòlia_ has brown flowers; _S. trapezifòrmus_, leaves
ovate, acute, serrulate. We do not know the colour of its flowers; the
pots must be well drained, and the plants kept in the warmest part of
the Green-house, and near the light.
_Sparrmánnias_, are strong growing Green-house shrubs. _S. africàna_, is
a plant very common in our collections, with large three lobed cordate
leaves, hairs on both sides; flowers from March to July. _S. rugósa._
The leaves are rugged; flowers of both are white, in a kind of corymb,
supported by a long footstalk; buds drooping, flowers erect. There is a
plant known in our collections, as the free-flowering _Sparrmánnia_,
(which is _Entèlia arboréscens_,) and is easily distinguished from
_Sparrmánnia_ by the leaves being cordate, accuminate, and otherwise, by
all its filaments being fertile, and the flowers more branching, and
blooming from November to June, profusely; very easily cultivated, and
desirable.
_Sphærolòbiums_, only two species of leafless plants, with yellow and
red leguminose flowers, which proceed from the young shoots. _S.
vimíneum_ and _S. médium_. They flower freely, and are easily
cultivated. The old wood should be frequently cut out where it is
practicable. Drain the pots.
_Sprengélia incarnàta_,, the only species, a very pretty plant, allied
to _Epàcris_; small foliage, long, accuminate; flowers small, pink,
bearded, and in close spikes; grows freely, delighting in shade. The
pots must be well drained, and the plants, when dormant, watered
sparingly, for if they get sodden about the roots, they very seldom
recover.
_Stylidíums_, six species of pretty litte plants, with small linear
leaves, and remarkable for the singular elasticity of the style or
column, which, when the flower is newly expanded, lays to one side, and
on being touched with a pin starts with violence to the opposite side.
S. _graminifòlium_, S. _fruticòsum_, S. _laricifòlium_, and S.
_adnàtum_, are all free flowering; flowers in spikes, very small; colour
light and dark pink; blooms from April to July. S. _adnàtum_ is half
herbaceous, and should, when growing, be kept nigh the glass, or it will
be drawn, and the flowers become of a pale colour. They are all of easy
cultivation.
_Styphèlias_, seven species of very showy flowers, with mucronate
leaves; corolla in a long tubular form, having several bundles of hairs
in it; segments reflex and bearded. _S. tubiflòra_, crimson, _S.
triflòra_, crimson and green; _S. adscéndens_, and _S. longifòlia_, are
beautiful species. They grow freely, and should be well drained, as too
much water is very hurtful to them. In summer they ought not to be much
exposed to the hot sun, or the foliage will become brown.
_Salpiglóssis_, four species of fine herbaceous Green-house plants,
natives of Chili. The flowers are tubular and campanulate. _S. pícta_,
flowers white and blue painted; _S. atropurpùrea_, flowers dark purple,
and _S. isnuàta_, flowers crimson, are superb, and if planted in the
garden during summer will flower profusely. They must be lifted in
October, and taken under protection.
_Tagètes lùcida_ is found in many of our collections. The leaves are
simple, oblong, and finely serrated. When rubbed by the hand, they have
an agreeable fragrance; the flowers are syngenesious, small, and in
terminale bunches. It is herbaceous; and when about an inch grown should
be divided and potted into five inch pots. Repot it again about the
first of June. It keeps in flower from July to November.
_Testudinària_, Elephant's foot, or Hottentot's bread, two species
remarkable for their appearance. The root or bulb, if it may be so
called, is of a conical shape, and divided into transverse sections.
Those of one foot diameter are computed to be 150 years of age. It is a
climbing herbaceous plant, with entire reniforme leaves of no beauty;
flowers small; colour green. The pots must be well drained, for when the
plant is inactive it is in danger of suffering from moisture, and ought
not to get any water. _T. Elephántiphes_ and _T. montàna_ are the
species, natives of the Cape of Good Hope, and require the warmest part
of the house.
_Táxus nucífera_, is the only species that requires protection, and
bears a small acorn; flowers are trifling; an evergreen, with ovate,
lanceolate foliage, thickly set on the wood; will grow in any situation.
There is a plant in our collections known as _T. chinénsis_ or _T.
elongáta_, which is _Podocárpus elongàtus_. It has lanceolate leaves,
erect growing, and very hardy; flowers m[oe]onacious, and of no
estimation except to the curious.
_Telopèa speciosíssimus_, is the only species, and was once called
_Embóthrium speciosíssimus_. It is now called _Telopèa_ in allusion to
the brilliant crimson flowers, which from their great size are seen at a
large distance, and which render it one of the most conspicuous
productions of New South Wales. The leaves are oblong, deeply toothed,
veiny, and smooth; wood strong; flower ovate, connate, and terminale,
and of considerable duration. There ought to be a specimen of it in
every collection. The pots must be well drained, and the plant in the
extreme heat of summer not too much exposed to the sun.
_Templetònia_, a very pretty genus, containing only two species. _T.
retùsa_ is an erect growing shrub, with wedge-shaped green leaves. _T.
gláuca_, leaves glacuous, blunt, and a little apiculate; flowers of both
scarlet. They are leguminose plants of free growth, and should be well
drained; blooming from April to June.
_Tristànias_, seven species of evergreen shrubs. Several of them require
to be very large before they flower. _T. neriifòlia_ is a very neat
little plant, and flowers abundantly; colour yellow; shape star-like,
and in clusters; leaves lanceolate and opposite. _T. conférta_, white
flowers in spikes, leaves alternate. _T. suavèolens_, sweet-scented;
flowers yellow. They are all of very easy culture.
_Verbénas._ A few of these are showy, herbaceous, Green-house plants.
_V. chamædryfòlia_, lately known as _V. Melíndres_, is a beautiful plant
of a procumbent habit; flowers brilliant scarlet, in glomerated heads
from the axils of the young shoots; blooming from April to October. A
large plant will appear as a solid mass of scarlet. _V. lambértii_ and
_V. pulchélla_ are also very pretty; colour, rose and lilac. A very good
method of treating these plants, is, to plant them in the garden in
April; and give them copious waterings in dry weather, and they will
flower profusely, lifting some of the plants before frost, to preserve
them during winter. They ought to be allowed to run according to their
nature; for if tied up, they will not do so well, being in that way too
much exposed. There is a plant known in our collections as _Verbéna
triphylla_, which is _Aloysia citriodòra_. The flowers are in long
spikes, very small, and pale purple. The celebrity of the plant is in
the foliage, which is linear, lanceolate, ternate, and it has the most
agreeable fragrance in the vegetable world. It is of very easy culture,
and has been known to survive the winter, in open air, in Philadelphia.
It is deciduous, and would do to plant in the garden during summer,
lifting it again before frost, and putting it under protection through
winter. When large before it begins to grow, in spring cut it into a
neat shape or form.
_Vibúrnums._ A few of these are very ornamental evergreen shrubs, and
almost hardy. _V. tìnus_ is the well known Laurestine, (or what is
commonly called Laurestinus,) is of the easiest culture; flowers small
white, and in large flattened panicles; blooming from February to May,
and universally esteemed. It will stand the winter by a little
protection, but the flower buds being formed in the fall, the intense
frost destroys them; consequently, it will not flower except by the
buds, which sometimes form early in summer. _V. lùcidum_ is a good
species, and superior in flower and foliage to the former, but does not
flower so freely, when the plants are small. When they grow large, they
flower profusely. There is a desirable variegated variety. _V.
odoratíssimum_ has smooth evergreen, oblong, elliptic, distantly
toothed, leaves, and frequently a stripe in them, is sweet-scented, and
a free flowerer. _V. hirsútum_ has flowers similar to the above; foliage
ovate, with rough brown hairs on both sides, and very characteristic.
_V. stríctum variagàtum_ is a very fine variety, and upright growing.
These plants are all very desirable, blooming early in spring, and
continuing for several months; all easily cultivated.
_Viminària denudàta_, the only species. This plant is remarkable for its
twiggy appearance, but it has no foliage, except when growing from seed.
It has at the extremity of the twigs or shoots, an ovate, lanceolate,
leaf, disappearing when the plant grows old; the flowers are small,
yellow, coming out of the young shoots, to the astonishment of the
beholder. It grows freely.
_Virgília capènsis_ is a beautiful cape shrub, with a compound leaf of
twenty-five leaflets, ovate, lanceolate, edges hairy; flowers in spikes
at the axils; colour blue and leguminose. The pots require to be well
drained, and the plants protected from the sun.
_Volkamèria japónica._ There is a plant known in our collections under
that name, which is _Clerodéndron fràgrans múltiplex_. It keeps in a
good Green-house, and flowers well, frequently blooming during winter,
and if planted in the garden during summer, will flower superbly. The
flowers have a delicious fragrance; but if the foliage is rubbed with
the hand, the smell is not so pleasant. The leaves are large, round,
ovate, and tomentose; flowers corymbose, compact, and terminale. There
are several fine plants in _Clerodéndron_ belonging to the Hot-house.
This plant will not bear much fumigation.
_Witsènias_, four species. _W. corymbòsa_ is a plant that has stood in
high estimation ever since it was known, but unfortunately there is a
very inferior plant, _Aristèa cyànea_, got into our collections under
that name. The panicles of _W. corymbòsa_ is quite smooth; those of
_Aristèa_ are hairy, which is itself sufficient to detect them; but
otherwise the appearance of _W. corymbòsa_ is much stronger, and more
erect growing, not inclining to push at the roots so much as _Aristèa_.
The foliage is lanceolate and amplexicaule, the leaves having much the
nature and appearance of _Iris_. The plant is of easy culture, and
blooms from November to April; colour fine blue. The true one has come
into the country lately. _W. ramòsa_ is a very fine species, similar to
the above; flowers yellow and blue; plant branching.
_Westríngias_, a genus of four species, very like the common _Rosemary_.
_W. rosmarinifórmis_, leaves lanceolate, and silvery beneath; _W.
longifòlia_ is similar; both have small white silvery flowers, and are
easily cultivated.
_Zàmias_, about twenty species, eight of which belong to this
compartment. The foliage is greatly admired, and is in large fronds,
with oblique, lanceolate leaflets. Several of them glaucous. It bears
heads of flowers of a brown colour in the centre of the plant, very like
large pine cones. _Z. hórrida_, the finest, _Z. púngens_, _Z. spíralis_,
and _Z. latifòlia_, are the most conspicuous. They must be kept in the
warmest part of the Green-house; and give them large well drained pots.
They are imported from the Cape of Good Hope. All the plants herein
named requiring to be drained. In preparing the pots, place first a
piece of broken pot, or any similar substitute, with the convex side on
the hole of the pot, and then put in a few, or a handful, (according to
the size of the pot,) of shivers of broken pots, or round gravel, about
the size of garden pease. Those that we have mentioned in this
_Repotting_, as to be done in this, or beginning of next month, is not
intended to apply to plants in general, large and small, but to those
that are young, and require encouragement, or to those that were not
shifted last autumn. The roots must not be disturbed, but the ball
turned out entire; and put as much earth as will raise the ball within
about an inch of the rim of the pot. Press the earth down around it with
a thin-narrow piece of wood, frequently shaking it that no vacancy may
be left. If the roots are rotten, or otherwise injured, take all such
off. If this be the case, the plant will be sickly. Give it a new pot of
a smaller size, administering water moderately until there are visible
signs of fresh growth. The plants must not be disturbed while flowering;
let the repotting be done afterwards. Plants are, at certain stages of
growth, if in good health, in such a state that no one can err in
shifting them when desirous to hasten their growth. Those plants that
make two or more growths during the summer may be repotted in the
interim of any of these growths, and all others just before they begin
to push in the spring; that is, when the wood buds are perceptibly
swelled. Never saturate with water fresh potted plants. There are many
kinds that, without injury, could be repotted when growing; but it
requires an experienced operator to decide. It would be of no material
service to enumerate them here. When done potting, tie all up neatly
with stakes rather higher than the plant, that the new shoots may be
tied thereto during their stage of growth, to prevent them from being
destroyed by the wind. There may be many that do not require repotting,
but would be benefited by a top-dressing. This should be done by probing
off all the surface earth down to the roots, replacing it with fresh
compost, suitable to the nature of the plant.
When the above is done, arrange all the plants in proper order, and
syringe them clean; but if there are any of the Green-fly, they must be
fumigated previous to syringing. Take an opportunity, on the first fine
day, to wash out all the pavement of the house, which should be made dry
before the evening if the nights are cold. Thus every part of the house
will be in order before the hurry of the garden commences.
OF ENARCHING OR GRAFTING BY APPROACH, _also termed_ ABLACTATION.
In this method of grafting, the scion is not separated from the parent
plant until it is firmly united with the stock; consequently, they must
stand contiguously. We intend the following method to apply directly to
_Caméllias_, as they are the principal plants in the Green-house that
are thus worked. The criterion for the operation is, just as the plants
begin to grow, either in spring or mid-summer. Place the stock
contiguous to the plant where the graft or enarch is to be taken from.
If the branches, where the intended union is to take place, do not grow
at equal heights, a slight stage may be erected to elevate the pot that
holds the lower. Take the branch that is to be enarched, (the wood of
last or previous year is the most proper,) and bring it in contact with
the stock; mark the parts where they are to unite, so as to form a
pointed arch. In that part of the branch which is to rest against the
stock, pare off the bark and part of the wood to about two or three
inches in length, and in the side of the stock which is to receive the
graft, do the same, that the inside rind of each may be exactly
opposite, which is the first part where a union will take place. Bind
them firmly and neatly together with strands of Russia matting, and
protect the joint from the air by a coat of close composition; clay of
the consistency of thick paint, turpentine, or wax, will equally answer.
Finish by fastening the grafted branch to the head of the stock or a
rod. Many practitioners make a slit or tongue into the enarch and stock,
but we find it unnecessary, more tedious, and likewise more danger in
breaking. _Caméllias_ are also grafted, and budded, but these two
operations require great experience and continued attention, and seldom
prove so successful as enarching. When they have perfectly taken, which
will be after the first growth is over, begin to separate them by
cutting the scion a little at three different periods, about a week
apart, separating it at the third time. If the head is intended to be
taken off the stock, do it in like manner after the second growth is
over. By the above method, many kinds can be grown on the same stock.
The same plan applies to all evergreens.
=Flower Garden.=
_MARCH._
It is expected that all the pruning is finished. If not, get all
expeditiously done, according to directions given in the preceding
months, likewise all digging, and that which was dug in the autumn,
point over, or half dig, that all may have a neat appearance. This must
not be done when the ground is too much imbibed with moisture, as that
would harden the soil. Break it well with the spade, leaving it one or
two days before the surface is raked smooth, that all may be ready to
receive the seeds or plants that are intended to be sown or planted. As
soon as the frost is entirely gone, uncover all plants or shrubs that
have been protected; preserving carefully such articles as will answer
the same purpose next year. The frost disappears generally from the
middle to the end of this month. Cut off all decayed shoots, or such as
have been hurt by the frost. The _Lagerstræmias_ will flower in greater
perfection if they are cut closely; that is, where the wood of last year
is cut to within a few eyes of the wood of the previous year, at the
same time having regard to the shape that the plant is required to take.
Cut off the injured part of any of the evergreens that have had their
foliage much injured by the severity of winter, leaving the part that is
green, which is essential to the support of these kinds of plants.
Such work as can be done in this month, should not be delayed, such as
hoeing, digging, raking, and clearing away all decayed leaves, and
litter of every description that have been brought or blown in the
garden, during autumn or winter.