In every Flower-garden there ought to be a good selection of these
plants. They are lasting ornaments, and when judiciously selected, will
give yearly gratification. In making a choice, a view should be had to
have those that flower abundantly, are of free growth, beauty, and
continuation of flower. It would go beyond our limits, to give an
extensive description of any, but a few remarks on some of the finest,
with their names, are indispensable.
_Adònis vernális_, is a fine border flower, and will grow in any common
soil; flowers large, yellow rayed, having in the rays about twelve
petals; leaves much divided, bloom in April and May.
_Anemóne_, Wind-flower. Several fine species, with flowers from one to
three inches in diameter. _A. Hallèri_, blue; _A. pulsatìlla_, blue
pasque flower; _A. alpìna_, large white. These are fine plants, and are
now given to a genus called _Pulsatìlla_. _A. palmàta flòre-plèno_,
yellow; _A. stellàta versícolor_, various coloured; _A. pavonìna
flòre-plèno_, scarlet; _A. narcissiflòra_, white. Any of these are very
desirable.
_Antirrhìnums_, Snap-dragon. All the varieties of _A. màjus_ are
esteemed in the flower borders; the pure white and bright red are very
showy. A few of the species, _A. mólle_ and _A. sículum_, where there is
variety required, deserve a situation. The flowers are all large, and
similar to the snout of an animal.
_Asclèpias._ The finest of this genus are native plants, and are highly
esteemed in Europe, but frequently rejected with us, because "they are
wild plants." _A. tuberòsa_ has beautiful orange flowers, and delight in
dry situations. _A. rùbra_, _A. nívea_, _A. purpuráscens_; and _A.
incarnàta_, are the finest of the family. It is best to plant _A.
tuberòsa_ in October.
_Aconítums_, Wolfs'-bane, one hundred and twenty-eight distinct species,
with several varieties. Many of them are of consequence and beauty; the
flower stems rise from one and a half to six feet upright, and strong,
furnished with many palmate and digitate leaves, terminated by spikes of
blue, yellow, or white flowers, similar to a hood; hence the name of
Monk's Hood is often applied to them. They are scarce in collections,
but in a few years we have no doubt but many of them will be plentiful.
The finest species are _A. speciòsum_, _A. anthòra_, _A. neúrbergensis_,
_A. amænum_, _A. napéllus_, _A. venústum_, _A. zoóctonum_, _A.
pyramidàle_, _A. lycóctonum_, _A. albùm_, and _A. versícolor_. They
flower from May to September, and will grow in any common garden soil.
The roots of _A. napéllus_ are like small turnips, and are said to be
poisonous.
_Cáltha palústris flòre-plèno_ is a good border plant, delights in moist
situations, has large cordate, crenated leaves; flowers double yellow;
blooming from April till June; and is a desirable plant.
_Béllis perénnis horténsis_, Daisy. We might almost say with another,
"every one knows the Daisy." It is named from being pretty, and is
perfectly hardy, though generally kept under cover. They delight to have
a shaded situation during summer, to protect them from the sun, which,
as it were, scorches the roots. There are many double varieties in the
gardens, which flower early. The one called _Crown_, or _Carnation_
Daisy, is twice the size of the common varieties, and has white and red
petals alternately, and very double. Loamy soil, inclined to moisture,
is best adapted to their growth.
_Campánulas._ This genus affords many very ornamental plants for the
Flower-garden and Shrubbery, and they flower superbly during the summer,
agreeing better with our climate than with that of Europe. Several have
two successions of flowers, _C. persicifòlia álba plèna_; _C.
persicifòlia cærùlea plèno_; _C. urticifòlia_, white. Of this last there
is also a double variety. _C. speciòsa_; _C. glomerata_; _C.
versícolor_; with several others, are worthy of a situation in every
garden. Their roots are strong, fleshy, and fibrous. They are easy of
culture, and will retain their situation in the severest of our winters.
_C. grandiflòra_ is now _Wahlenbérgia grandiflòra_. It has fine blue
large flowers; the flower stems are slender, and should be supported as
soon as they grow.
_Cheiránthus Chéiri vulgàris_ is the common garden Wall-flower. There
are about ten varieties of it, all admired for their various colours and
agreeable odour. The common variety survives the mildest of our winters.
The most esteemed variety is _Hæmánthus_, Double bloody. They should all
be protected by a frame. _C. mutábilis_ is a beautiful species; it has
many shades of colour from lilac to dark purple. The flowers are on
extending racemose spikes; blooming from April to June; it requires a
light rich soil; is a half shrubby evergreen plant.
_Chelònes._ This genus belongs entirely to this continent, and possesses
many fine species. It is a matter of astonishment that they are not more
cultivated and sought for in our collections. _C. glábra_; _C. oblíqua_;
_C. barbàta_; _C. atropurpùrea_; _C. pulchélla_; _C. venústa_; and _C.
speciòsa_; are all handsome, and flower from May to September; corolla
large, ringent; ventricose flowers in spikes or panicles.
_Chrysánthemums._ There are few of this genus of any consequence as
herbaceous plants, except the varieties of _C. sinénse_, of which there
are about fifty, all desirable; but in small gardens, where there is a
deficiency in room, the following are select in colour and quality:
_Tubulòsum álbum_, quilled white; _supérbum_, superb white; _díscolor_,
large lilac; _fúlvum_, Spanish brown; _atropurpùreum_, early crimson;
_involùtum_, curled lilac; _fasciculàtum_, superb cluster yellow;
_serotìnum_, late pale purple; _papyràceum_, paper white; _Waratáh_,
yellow Waratah; _versícolor_, two-coloured red; _stellàtum_, starry
purple; _verecúndum_, early blush; and _mutábile_, changeable pale buff.
To grow these in perfection, they require rich light soil; and about the
end of this month the roots should be lifted, divided, and planted into
fresh soil, either by giving them a new situation, or changing the earth
they were in. Two or three stems together are quite sufficient. The
flowers, by the above treatment, will be much larger, more double, and
finer in colour; where they are wanted to grow low and bushy, top them
in June, but not later than the first of July. Where the soil is rich,
and the plant having only one stem, by topping it, makes a beautiful
bush. They are in flower from the first of October until severe frost;
thus beautifying our gardens at a season when they would be destitute of
one single attraction. If the season is dry, to water them with liquid
manure will add to their vigour. They are all natives of China, and
greatly esteemed by the Chinese, who only allow a few blooms to come out
on the top of each stem, thereby having the flowers much finer.
_Clématis_, Virgin's-bower. A few species are good herbaceous plants, of
upright growth, and blue flowers, _C. integrifòlia_; _C. angustifòlia_;
and _C. erécta_; they grow best in light soil.
_Coreópsis_, chiefly native plants, and free-flowering; colour
principally yellow; flowers rayed. _C. tenuifòlia_, _C. verticilláta_,
_C. díscolor_, and _C. trípteris_, are the finest of the genus, and will
grow in any common garden soil.
_Delphínums._ There are some showy border flowers of these, of strong
growth. The leaves are much divided; the flowers in terminale spikes;
colour blue, purple, red, white and yellow, with various shades. _D.
grandiflòrum_, with its varieties, are the best of the genus. _D.
intermèdium_, and its varieties, _D. elátum_, Bee Larkspur, from the
ringent part of the flower being very like a bee, and _D. montánum_, are
good varieties, and easily cultivated. When the plants become large,
they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh soil. They are in bloom
from May to September.
_Diánthus._ Some of the species of this genus are the most prominent of
the Flower-garden, not only for their beauty, but also their fragrance,
which is peculiarly grateful, especially in the well known and
celebrated pink and carnation, with the Sweet-william, which was
esteemed, in the days of old, "for its beauty to deck up the bosoms of
the beautiful, and garlands and crowns for pleasure." The finest
species are _D. barbàtus_, and _D. barbàtus plèno_, Sweet-william; _D.
discolor_; _D. chinènsis_; _D. alpínus_, _D. supérbus_; _D.
caryophyllus_, from which have originated the Picotee and the Carnation;
_D. plumàrius_, from which originated the Double Pink; _D. fràgrans_ and
_D. supérbus_. Several of these, although they will stand the severest
cold, have to be protected in frames during winter, to have them in the
perfection of beauty. For the character of a Pink and Carnation, see
_May_.
_Dictámnus._ Two species of this genus, _D. fraxinélla_ and _D. álbus_,
have been cultivated and esteemed upwards of two hundred and forty
years. A plant of the first of these species, when gently rubbed, emits
an odour like that of lemon-peel; and when bruised emits a balsamic
scent, which is strongest in the pedicles of the flowers. They have
glands of a rusty colour, that exude a viscid juice, or resin, which
exhales in vapour, and in a dark place may be seen to take fire. Its
flowers are red, those of the other white, in loose terminale spikes;
the flower has five petals, clawed and unequal, with glandular dots; in
bloom from May to July; delights in sandy loam.
_Dodecàtheon._ This is a native genus, and commonly called American
cowslip. The generic term, a name of the Romans, signifying twelve gods
or divinities, is applied with great absurdity to a plant, a native of a
world the Romans never saw nor had any idea of, neither resembling, in
any particular, the poetical fancy of their writers. The most admired
species is _D. mèdia_; the flowers are in umbels, on a pedicle, from six
to twelve inches high; the corolla is rotata reflexa, colour light
purple, bottom of petals lake and yellow; blooming in May. The white
variety is very much esteemed, and surpasses the preceding. The ground
is pure white, the bottom of the petals the same as the other. There is
also a spotted variety found on the banks of the Missouri. They delight
in brown loam, a half shady situation, inclining to moisture. The
foliage soon decays after flowering.
_Digitàlis_, Fox-glove, about forty species of annuals and herbaceous
plants. A few are cultivated in the flower borders, and are very showy.
These are D. _leucophæa_, D. _ferrugínea_, D. _ochroleùca_, large
yellow; and D. _purpuráscens_; and are good species. D. _purpúrea_ and
D. _álba_, are very conspicuous biennials; the flowers are solitary, and
in long spikes; the corolla of D. _purpúrea_ is campanulate, ventricose,
and ringent; the interior is spotted, and is considered the finest of
the genus. Delights in poor soil, with a little shade.
_Eupatóriums._ These generally are native plants, not worthy of notice
here, except for two species. _E. c[oe]lestínum_ has syngenesious
flowers in flattened panicles, colour fine light blue, blooming from
September to November, desirable for its beauty at that season. _E.
aromàticum_ may be cultivated for its spicy odour; flowers white, in
loose terminale panicles; blooming from August to October. Either of
them will grow in common soil.
_Gentiánas_, a genus of very showy plants, and flower in great
abundance. The flowers are tubular and inflated; colour generally blue.
A few species are yellow, and some white; flowers in whorls, terminale,
or solitary. They grow best in a light rich soil. _G. lútea_, _G.
purpúrea_, _G. septémfida_. _G. acaúlis_ is a pretty dwarf growing
species, and often used as edgings in flower compartments; the flower
dark and light blue; interior of the corolla spotted; has a succession
of flower from April to June. We have no doubt of it succeeding in our
gardens, but not being plentiful, it has not been perfectly tried. A few
years will exhibit it in abundance. _G. imbricàta_ and _G. conférta_.
They are all fine exotics, but many of them may give place to our native
species, such as _G. Catesbæí_; _G. ochroleúca_; _G. incarnàta_; with
several others, and _G. crinàta_, which is a biennial, and finely
fringed; colour light blue.
_Gèum._ There are only two species that are worth cultivation, viz. _G.
quéllyon_, once _G. coccíneum_; and _G. hybridum_. _G. urbànum_ is
sometimes cultivated for its roots, which, when chewed, sweeten the
breath. They are all of easy culture. _G. quéllyon_ flowers from May to
October, and is a very desirable small plant for the borders, and much
esteemed in Europe.
_Hemerocállis_, Day Lily; two species, _H. fúlva_ and _H. gramínea_,
flower well, and are remarkable among the border flowers for their large
yellow or copper coloured corollas, some of them about six inches
diameter; bloom from May to July, and will grow in almost any soil.
There is a plant known in our gardens as _H. cærùlea_, which is _Fúnkia
cærùlea_, and has a campanulate corolla, with a cylindrical tube;
flowers in spikes; leaves ovate, accuminate.
_Hibíscus._ There are several herbaceous species very showy and
handsome, _H. palústris_; _H. ròseus_; _H. militàris_; _H. speciòsus_;
_H. grandiflòrus_; and _H. púngens_. They grow best in moist situations,
and where these are not to be had, give them plenty of water, and plant
in sandy soil enriched with decayed leaves. The flowers are about six
inches in diameter, flowering up the stem, either solitary or in small
bunches. _H. speciòsus_ is the most splendid, and deserves a situation
in every garden. The roots in winter ought to be covered by litter, tan,
or saw dust; but a better method is to lift them, and put them in the
cellar, covered with dry earth, and kept from the frost. All the above
mentioned species are improved by being protected during winter.
_Iris_, Flower-de-luce, has many fine species of various shades and
colours, _I. subiflòra_, _I. nepalénsis_, _I. Pallàsii_, _I. pállida_,
_I. cristàta_, _I. arenària_, _I. furcàta_, _I. germánica_, _I.
florentìna_, _I. vérna_, and _I. susiàna_. The last is the finest of the
herbaceous species; the flowers are striped, blue, brown, and spotted;
but we are not certain if it will stand the severity of our winters. The
roots of _I. florentìna_ is the orrice root of the druggists. They are
all of easy culture in any loamy soil inclining to moisture. The bulbous
species will be treated of in _September_ or _October_. Corolla
six-petaled, three erect, and three reclined alternately; proceeding
from spathes or sheaths with flowers in succession.
_Lìatris_ is a genus of native plants, containing several fine species,
_L. squarròsa_, large purple heads of beautiful flowers; _L. élegans_;
_L. paniculàta_. _L. macróstachya_, now _L. spicàta_, is a fine large
growing species. They have syngenesious purple flowers in long close
spikes, differing from other spiked flowering genera by blooming first
at the extremity. They grow best in strong heavy soil.
_Lychnis._ Three species are very desirable in the flower borders. _L.
chalcedónica_ has bright scarlet crowned flowers; the double scarlet
variety is splendid. There is also a double white variety, _L. fúlgens_
and _L. flós-jòvis_. They ought to be frequently lifted, and planted
afresh, or they will dwindle to nothing. The best time is when they
begin to grow. There is a plant known in our collections as _Lychnis
flós-cucùla_, which is now _Agrostéma flós-cucùla_; it is a fine and
showy border plant with double red flowers. They delight in a light
sandy rich soil.
_Lythrums._ A few species flower well, and have small pink blossoms in
great profusion, _L. alàtum_, _L. virgàtum_, _L. diffùsum_, and _L.
lanceolàtum_. They will grow in any common garden soil if not too much
shaded; and flower from June to September.
_Mimùlus_, Monkey-flower. A few species may be cultivated. They will
grow in any soil or situation. _M. lùteus_ and _M. rivulàris_ are the
best. _M. moschàtus_ has a very strong musk scent, to many agreeable. We
think it will prove hardy. The two former have large gaping flowers, of
a gold yellow, and beautifully spotted with purple in the interior.
_Monárdas_, a fine native genus and showy. The foliage of several of the
species is aromatic, and resembles mint. _M. dídyma_ has long scarlet
ringent flowers, in headed whorls; _M. kalmiana_, flowers very long,
and a beautiful crimson, with fragrant leaves. _M. Russelliana_ has red
and white flowers; curious and handsome. _M. punctata_ has yellow and
red flowers; they grow in any common soil.
_Mathíola_, is the generic of the Stock-gilly. None of them will survive
severe winters; yet many of them are indispensable in the Flower-garden.
_M. simplicicáulis_, Brompton-stock, and its varieties; with _M.
incàna_, Queen-stock, and its varieties, require the protection of a
good frame in winter, and about the end of this month, or beginning of
next, plant them in good light rich soil to flower, which they will do
all summer, if attended to with frequent supplies of water. _M. ánnua_
has about sixteen varieties, valuable for flowering the first year from
seed, and are all annuals. They ought to be sown on a gentle hot-bed
about the first of this month, and carefully pricked out so as they may
be ready to transplant about the end of April or the first of May. Plant
them in light rich soil, and they will flower profusely through the
season; if it is very dry, they must be watered to keep them growing.
The scarlet, white, and purple varieties are the finest; but there are
many intermediate sorts all handsome. _M. glàbra_ is the Wall-flower
leaved stock, and requires the same treatment as the two former. There
are about eight varieties of this, all various in colour. In planting
any of these into the open ground, choose cloudy weather, except they
have been in pots; in such case, plant at any time in beds, keeping each
kind separate.
_[OE]nothèras._ The most of them are indigenous, and in Europe they
afford a continual ornament to the Flower-garden from April to
November, but in our gardens they are entirely neglected. By rejecting
these and many others, our Flower-gardens are deprived both of much
beauty and interest they might easily possess. These plants delight in
light rich soil. _[OE]. odoràta_, sweet scented; _[OE]. macrocárpa_;
_[OE]. mèdia_; _[OE]. latiflòra_; _[OE]. Frazèri_; _[OE]. speciòsa_; and
_[OE]. pállida_; are all fine native herbaceous plants, mostly with
large yellow four-petaled corollas; in bloom from April to September.
There are several of them beautiful annual and biennial plants. For the
finest, see list.
_Phlóx_, another American genus, and one of the most handsome in
cultivation. It consists of elegant border flowers, valuable for
flowering early, and more so for blossoming late in autumn. While the
majority of plants blooming late in the season are generally
syngenesious, with yellow flowers, these delight us with their lively
colours of purple, red, and white. A collection of them properly
attended to, would of themselves constitute a beautiful flower garden.
It will be difficult to state which are the finest, but the following
are select varieties: P. _paniculàta_; P. _acuminàta_; P. _intermèdia_;
P. _odoràta_; P. _pyramidàlis_; with _pyramidàlis álba_, which is
splendid; P. _suavèolens_; P. _refléxa_; P. _stolonífera_; P. _pilòsa_;
P. _divaricàta_; P. _nivàlis_; and P. _subulàta_. In the spring of 1831,
an eminent British collector[A] exclaimed, on seeing a patch of P.
_subulàta_ in one of the pine barrens of New Jersey, "The beauty of that
alone is worth coming to America to see, it is so splendid." Most of the
species delight in a rich light sandy loam. When the plants become
large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh ground.
[A] Mr. Drummond.
_Prímulas_, Primrose. To this genus belong the celebrated _Cowslip_,
_Oxlip_, _Primrose_, and the esteemed _Aurícula_. The double varieties
of Primrose have originated from _P. vulgàris_. These are such as carry
their flowers on separate pedicles, rising from the root on a small
stem. The double varieties are desirable for their beauty, but require
the protection of a frame during winter. They are in colour red, white,
yellow, lilac, purple, and crimson. P. _elàtior_ is the Oxlip, from
which all the _Polyánthuses_ have been grown. They are in variety
innumerable, and are those whose flowers are in umbels, on a scape or
flower-stalk, rising from three to nine inches. The rules for judging of
their merits are wholly artificial, agreed on from time to time by
Florists. The one that is the leading beauty this year would in a few
years be far in the rear. The principal character is that the corolla is
not notched or fringed; the colours pure and distinct, not running into
one another; the tube small; the eye round, and a little prominent.
Being surrounded with white, and the ground purple, is a fine character.
P. _aurícula_. From this the highly esteemed varieties have originated.
The cultivated _aurícula_ has many admirers, both for its exquisite
beauty and fragrance. For the criterion of a fine flower see _May_.
There are several other species worthy of a situation, such as P.
_cortusoídes_, P. _dentiflòra_, P. _suavèolens_, P. _decòra_, with P.
_scótica_ and P. _farinòsa_, both small neat species. A shady situation
agrees best with them; and they require loamy soil, free from any kind
of manure, except it be fully decomposed. The leaves of P. _vèris_ are
recommended for feeding silk worms.
_Potentíllas._ We mention this genus here as affording several free
flowering dwarf plants; not as being certain that any of the most
desired species will withstand our winters, being natives of Nepaul;
but, from the character of the plant, we think that they are adapted to
bear severe cold. They are similar to the strawberry in habit and
appearance. P. _nepalénsis_, or _formòsa_, has rose-coloured flowers; P.
_atropurpùrea_; P. _Russelliàna_, scarlet; P. _Hopwoodiàna_, rose and
scarlet; and P. _spléndens_, yellow, with superb leaves. These are the
finest of the genus, and flower from May to September. It will be well
to protect them in a frame with the Carnations; they delight in light
soil.
_Saponària officinàlis_, and _S. O. plèna_, are fine free-flowering
dwarf plants; the colour is pink in both double and single varieties.
The roots run under ground, and care should be taken to keep them within
bounds: they flower from June till October. _S. cæspitòsa_ is a neat
growing species of a rose colour. They will grow in any soil.
_Silène._ Several of this genus are popular annuals, but the herbaceous
species are very indifferent. _S. viscósa_ and S. _viscósa flòre plèna_,
are frequently cultivated for their beauty; they will grow well if not
too much shaded.
_Saxífraga_, above one hundred species. Many of them are beautiful
plants for rock-work. They are regardless of cold, but will not
generally withstand much moisture. A few of them are highly deserving a
situation in any garden. _S. hirsùtum_, and _S. crassifòlia_, are used
in some countries for tanning. _S. granulàta multipléx_ has fine
double-white flowers, and is desirable. _S. umbròsa_, London-pride,
makes a beautiful edging for a flower border; the flowers are small, but
on close examination its colours are unrivalled. It is vulgarly called,
"none so pretty." _S. sarmentòsa_ is kept in the Green-house, but is
perfectly hardy, and makes a fine plant in a shaded situation. We have
no doubt but it would make a good fancy edging. _S. pulchélla_, straw
coloured, and _S. pyramidàlis_; these are all easily cultivated; and
flower in spikes from May to July.
_Spiræas._ A few species are showy plants, and continue flowering from
May to September. _S. ulmària múltiplex_, Meadow-sweet, has sweet
scented white flowers, in long dense spikes. _S. Filipéndula múltiplex_,
Drop-wort, double white. _S. lobàta_ is a native, and has fine rose
coloured flowers, in June and July; these are the finest of the
herbaceous species, and will grow in any common garden soil.
_Státice_, Thrift. A genus containing many fine herbaceous plants, only
a few of them are common in collections. The finest of them are scarce,
and said to be "bad to cultivate." _S. vulgàris_, once _Armèria
vulgàris_, is the most valuable plant for an edging, next to box, that
the Flower-garden is possessed of, and does extremely well in our
climate, flowering in great profusion from May to July. When done
flowering, the stems should be cut off. The foliage is an agreeable
evergreen; the plant increases rapidly, and in a few years may be
planted to a great extent. _S. speciòsa_ has red flowers, crowded in
spreading panicles. _S. tatàrica_ has also very showy flowers, and is
now given to the genus _Taxànthema_. _S. latifòlia_ and _S. maritìma_
are the finest. _T. latifòlia_ and _T. conspícua_ deserve attention.
They should be lifted every alternate year, and sunk deeper into the
soil, because they incline to grow out, and are sometimes during summer
killed by the drought. Hence they are said to be "bad to cultivate."
_Tróllius europæus_, and _T. asiàticus_, are fine border plants, with
large yellow semi-double flowers; the petals are much cupped, which
causes the flowers to have a globular appearance. They are easily grown
in any loamy soil, and flower from May to July. Few flowers have the
curious globular character which these have.
_Verónica_, Speed-well. This genus consists of about one hundred and
twenty species of herbaceous plants, besides several varieties. The
flowers are in long close spikes, either white, flesh coloured, or blue;
they are generally of the latter colour. Above sixty species are equally
fine, and being generally of the same character, the Catalogue at the
end of this work will contain the best selection that we can make. Very
few of them are in the collections of the country, although they are
very showy, and flower from June to August. They will grow in any soil,
but will not flourish where they are much shaded. _V. officinàlis_ has
been used in Germany and Sweden as a substitute for tea. Some prefer _V.
chamædrys_ for the same purpose.
_Valerìanas._ Several species are showy border plants, with small
flowers in large close flattened panicles. _V. dioíca_ is remarkable for
having the stamens and pistils in separate flowers, situated on
different plants; the flowers are of a blush colour, and the roots when
planted must be protected from the cats, for they are delighted with
them, and scrape them up. _V. phù_, a large growing species with white
flowers; and _V. rùbra_, with its varieties, are the finest of the
genus. They are now given to _Centrànthus_. They are all of easy culture
in common garden earth, but preferring moist shady situations. In flower
from May to September.
_Vìola_, a genus consisting of upwards of eighty species, of low pretty
plants, of great diversity of colour and foliage. Many of them are
natives, and well worth a situation in our gardens. They mostly delight
in sandy loam, and a little shade. A few of the species grow in moist
situations. The most esteemed varieties for fragrance are, _V. odoràta
purpúrea plèna_, double purple, with _V. odoràta àlba plèna_, double
white. They flower very early, and make good edgings where they are kept
in order; flowering profusely from April to June, and flowering again in
autumn.
_Yúcca_, Adam's-needle. This is a very showy and ornamental genus; their
character forming a picturesque contrast in the Flower-garden; foliage
long, narrow, lanceolate, and stiff; with white companulate flowers,
about two inches in diameter, in conical spikes from two to four feet
long, arising from the centre of the plant, containing frequently from
two to four hundred florets. They are principally native plants. _Y.
strícta_ is the freest flowerer. _Y. supérba_; _Y. aloifòlia_; _Y._
_angustifòlia_, _Y. acuminàta_, _Y. serrulàta_, and _Y. filamentòsa_,
are all fine species, and will grow in any common soil. When in flower,
if protected from the sun by an awning, they will be of considerable
duration. There are variegated varieties of _Strícta_, _Aloifòlia_, and
_Serrulàta_, which look very handsome in foliage, but are at present
very rare, and it will be a number of years before they are plentiful.
There ought at least to be one specimen of some of the free-flowering
species in every garden.
Having given the names and characters of a few herbaceous plants, all or
most of them easily obtained, many of them extremely handsome, and such
as agree best with transplanting at this season of the year; for several
others, such as _Pæònias_, or any other strong fibrous or bulbous
sorts, see _September_ and _October_. Where they are in pots, they can
be planted at any time, the weather permitting, provided the ball of
earth is not broken. But where they are only to be removed, the best
time is just as vegetation commences. That herbaceous plants may look to
the best advantage, and flower well, they must not be allowed to get
into large stools; but as soon as they are above one foot in diameter,
they should be divided.
Very frequently those who perform this operation, take the spade, and
cut a piece off all round, which to a degree improves the look of the
plant; but this is only half justice. It should be lifted entirely,
fresh soil given, or removed a few feet, and planted a little deeper
than it was before, as the plant tends apparently to grow out of the
soil when allowed to stand long. If the weather becomes dry shortly
after transplanting, give them a few waterings, until they have taken
fresh roots, which will be within two weeks. Colour should be
diversified through the garden as much as practicable, and the highest
growing sorts planted farthest from the walk, so as all may appear in
view. At all times avoid crowding the plants together.