"------------------Bright with dew,
And in a mingled wilderness of flowers,
Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every grace;
With hues on hues expression cannot paint
The breath of Nature, and her endless bloom."
_Thomson's Seasons._
[Illustration: _Plate 1._ _Crocus._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
CROCUS mæsiacus.
_Common Yellow Crocus._
_Class and Order._--TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _p._ 1111.
Crocus langeæflorus. _Salisbury Par. Lon._ _vol._ ii., _tab._ 106.
Bulb small--leaves numerous, radical, linear, lanceolate--flower
enclosed with the leaves in a membranous sheath---corolla yellow,
divided into six oval-shaped petals, the three outer divisions
beautifully marked with green--stamens three--filaments short--anthers
sagittate--style one--stigma divided into three parts.
The species here figured is the earliest and best known in our gardens.
It was introduced into this country in the year 1629, and derives its
specific denomination from the ancient name of that part of Europe
where it abounds in a wild state. Numerous varieties of the genus are
constantly raised from seed, but the number of distinct species do not
exceed ten or twelve. The cultivation of these plants is attended with
no difficulty whatever: they will grow in any soil or situation; and
the C. mæsiacus increases so rapidly as to require frequent parting.
The different varieties make a beautiful display in the months of
February and March, if placed in alternate patches in the flower
border, and produce a brilliant effect when expanded by the warmth
of the sun. The most desirable for a flower garden are the following
species and their varieties:--
Crocus vernus.
---- versicolor.
---- nudiflorus.
---- biflorus.
Crocus susianus.
---- sulphureus.
---- sativus.
---- autumnalis.
Pl. 1.
[Illustration: _Plate 2._ _Hepatica Triloba._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
HEPATICA triloba.
_Common Blue Hepatica._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
Syn. Hepatica triloba. _Pursh, N. A. F._, _vol._ ii., _p._ 391.
Root fibrous--leaves radical, three-lobed, on long petioles--stem
simple, erect, pubescent--one-flowered calyx of three leaves--corolla
blue--six petals, oval-shaped--stamens numerous, fixed to the
receptacle--styles many--stigmas obtuse.
The blue variety of the Hepatica triloba, which blooms about March,
is one of our most beautiful Spring flowers, and is more readily
cultivated than any of the other kinds. According to Pursh, "It is a
native of Canada, and is found in woods, and on the sides of fertile
and rocky hills." The double variety of this plant is less common in
our gardens, and the single white variety is rare. These plants like
a loamy soil, and eastern exposure--and should be removed when they
are in blossom. The roots do not bear to be often separated; and if
divided into small pieces are frequently lost: but if left undisturbed
in a congenial situation, they will attain great luxuriance. Miller
says the single varieties are easily propagated by seed; but our more
modern gardeners do not coincide in this opinion. The new leaves do
not appear until after the flowers, though occasionally those of the
preceding year retain their freshness, as in the figure here given. All
the Hepaticas are ornamental.
Double blue.
Single pink.
Double pink.
Single white.
Pl. 2.
[Illustration: _Plate 3._ _Scilla Bifolia._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
SCILLA bifolia.
_Two-leaved Squill._
_Class and Order._--HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Scilla bifolia. _Eng. Fl._, _vol._ ii., _p._ 146.
Bulb oblong, oval--leaves two, radical, opposite, linear, lanceolate,
about five or six inches long--peduncles short--corolla bright
blue--petals six, oblong, spreading in the form of a star--stamens
six, shorter than the petals--germen superior--styles short.
This beautiful plant is a native of the West of England, though rarely
found. It likes a light soil, and should be grown in large patches,
when it forms one of the greatest ornaments to our gardens in the month
of March. The white variety also flowers about the same time, and forms
a striking and beautiful contrast if placed alternately in the flower
border. It is increased by offsets, which may be removed when the
leaves decay. If this plant be covered with a hand-glass, when coming
into bloom, it will expand more fully, and preserve the brilliancy
of its colour. The Scilla maritima possesses peculiar medicinal
properties. The most beautiful species are
Scilla amæna.
---- Siberica.
---- Verna.
---- Italica
---- Peruviana.
---- præcox.
Pl. 3.
[Illustration: _Plate 4._ _Narcissus Moschatus._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
NARCISSUS Moschatus.
_Spanish Daffodil._
_Class and Order._--HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Narcissus Moschatus. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _p._ 1300.
Root bulbous--leaves radical, linear--twisted, glaucous--stem simple,
erect--flowers solitary, issuing from a sheath, lanceolate--corolla
cream colour, consisting of a tubular nectary, with a laciniated
mouth, surrounded by six long tortuose petals--stamens six--pistil
one, enclosed in the tube.
This plant is one of the least common and most beautiful of the genus,
and is remarkable for the peculiar delicacy of its colour. It is a
native of Spain, and was introduced into this country about the year
1759. It requires a light rich soil; and, like all other bulbs, ought
only to be removed when the leaves decay. The plant grows from twelve
to sixteen inches high, and flowers in April. The genus Narcissus is a
very numerous and beautiful one, and affords a delightful variety. Some
of the most ornamental are
N. bulbocodium.
-- poeticus.
-- angustifolius.
-- biflorus.
-- odorus.
-- tenuior.
-- triandrus.
-- tenuifolius.
-- incomparibilis.
-- bicolor.
-- minor.
Pl. 4.
[Illustration: _Plate 5._ _Erythronium Dens Canis._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
ERYTHRONIUM dens canis.
_Common Dog's-tooth Violet._
_Class and Order._--HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Erythronium dens canis. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _p._ 5.
Root bulbous, oblong--leaves radical, broad, lanceolate, somewhat
undulate, marked with brown--stem naked, erect--flowers solitary,
drooping--corolla campanulate, composed of six equal oval-shaped
petals, of a lilac hue, inclining to pink--stamens six, terminated
by oblong purple anthers--germen superior--style longer than the
stamens--stigma divided into three parts. When the flowers are fully
expanded the petals are reflexed. The white variety differs only in
the colour of the flower.
There are few plants more desirable for a flower garden than the
Erythronium dens canis, and its white variety; and none contribute
more to the beauty of our borders in the month of March, or beginning
of April. It is a native of Hungary, and some parts of Italy, and was
introduced into this country in the year 1596. These plants like a
light soil, mixed with bog, and are propagated by offsets, which may
be removed any time after the leaves decay; but the roots should not
be kept long out of the ground, as they are liable to shrink. Miller
mentions two species of the lilac Erythronium; but his distinctions,
founded only on the breadth of the leaves, and colour of the flower,
would not be sufficient to form a different species. It is, however,
worthy of remark, that the leaves of those bulbs which do not bear
flowers, are broader and rounder than the others. There are two other
species, mentioned by Pursh, in his "Flora of North America," vol. i.
p. 230, both bearing yellow flowers, one of which is occasionally seen
in our gardens.--Erythronium Americanum.
Pl. 5.
[Illustration: _Plate 6._ _Adonis Vernalis._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
ADONIS vernalis.
_Perennial Adonis._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
Syn. Adonis vernalis. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _p._ 134.
Root fibrous--stem branching, growing to the height of ten or
twelve inches--leaves pinnate, pinnatified--calyx five segments,
deciduous--flowers terminal--corolla yellow, composed of twelve or
fourteen oval-shaped petals--stamens numerous--styles many--germen
superior.
Though this plant has been long known in our gardens, having been
introduced in the year 1629, it is by no means common. It is found wild
on the mountains of Switzerland, and in different parts of Austria. It
likes a rich loamy soil, and is increased by parting the roots; but to
have it in perfection it should be grown in large patches, and seldom
divided, when it makes a beautiful appearance in the flower garden in
the months of March or April. In its native country, this plant does
not exceed four inches in height, and the flowers are of a much more
brilliant colour. There are two other species of Adonis, but they are
seldom met with.
A. autumnalis.
-- flammea.
Pl. 6.
[Illustration: _Plate 7._ _Primula Auricula._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
PRIMULA auricula.
_Auricula._
_Class and Order._--PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Primula auricula. _Jacquin Flo. Aus._ 5, _t._ 415?
Root fibrous--leaves radical, ovate, dentate--base entire--stem
simple, radical--flower terminal, corymbose--calyx five
segments--corolla monopetalous, cream colour, slightly tinged with
yellow, five segments, emarginate--stamens five--pistil one.
This plant is a native of Switzerland, and was introduced into this
country about the year 1596. It is the parent of all the beautiful
varieties of Auricula, which are now cultivated in our gardens. It
grows low, and, like many of the genus, is suitable and ornamental for
rock work. The Primulas flourish most in a mixture of loam, decayed
leaves, and bog earth, and, like all Alpine plants, require a pure
atmosphere. The leaves of this species are apt to vary in form, the
margins occasionally being entire. Some of the most beautiful are the
following:--
Primula nivalis.
---- cortusoides.
---- helvetica.
---- decora.
---- integrifolia.
---- marginata.
---- villosa.
---- farinosa.
---- Scotica.
---- Pallasii.
---- minima.
Pl. 7.
[Illustration: _Plate 8._ _Sanguinaria Grandiflora._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
SANGUINARIA grandiflora.
_Large-flowered Bloodwort._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA.