[Illustration: N^o. 310]
The _Erinus alpinus_ is a native of Switzerland, Germany, and France;
inhabiting the more mountainous parts of those countries.
It is a very desirable little plant for the decoration of rock work,
growing in close tufts, and producing numerous flowers of a lively
purple colour during most of the summer months.
Is increased without difficulty by parting its roots in Autumn, or from
seed; in the winter some plants of it should be kept in pots under a
frame or hand-glass, as it is liable to be injured by wet and frost.
Was cultivated here by Mr. Miller in 1759.
[311]
Robinia Hispida. Rough-Stalk'd Robinia, or Rose Acacia.
_Class and Order._
Diadelphia Decandria.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ 4-fidus. Legumen gibbum elongatum.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
ROBINIA _hispida_ racemis axillaribus, foliis impari pinnatis,
caule inermi hispido. _Linn. Mant. p. 668. Ait. Kew. v. 3. p. 53._
ROBINIA racemis axillaribus, pedicellis unifloris, foliis impari
pinnatis, caule inermi. _Jacq. Amer. 211. t. 179. f. 101._
PSEUDO ACACIA hispida floribus roseis. _Catesb. Carol. 3. p. 20. t.
20._
[Illustration: N^o. 311]
There are few trees or shrubs which have contributed more to adorn our
plantations, and shrubberies, than those of this genus, nine species of
which are enumerated in the _Hort. Kew._ of Mr. Aiton, most of these are
natives either of North-America, or Siberia: the present species, an
inhabitant of Carolina, is perhaps the most ornamental of the whole: its
large pendant bunches of rose-coloured flowers load the branches in May
and June, and sometimes a second crop will be produced late in the
season, these with us usually fall off without producing any
seed-vessels.
This shrub is not disposed to grow very tall in America, it is most
prudent indeed to keep it humble, to the height of four or five feet,
and to plant it in a sheltered part of the garden, as its branches are
liable to be broken by high winds: Marshall (_Arb. Amer._) describes it
as spreading much from its running roots; we have not observed it to do
so in any great degree here; it is propagated by layers, by cuttings of
the roots, and by grafting; it is of ready growth, disposed to blow even
when young, and not nice as to soil, or situation; the flowers afford a
good example of the class Diadelphia, they are large and beautiful, but
without scent.