Hail, gentle Summer! every mead
With thy fair robe of beauty spread
To thee that beauty owes;
The smiling flowers with joy declare,
And loudly tell to Reason's ear,
Whence all that beauty flows.
_Fawkes._
[Illustration: _Plate 17._ _Pæonia Tenuifolia._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
PÆONIA tenuifolia.
_Fine-leaved Pæony._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA TRIGYNIA.
Syn. Pæonia tenuifolia. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _pl._ 926.
Root tuberous--stem erect, branching, growing to the height of
one foot, or more--leaves numerous, biternate, linear--calyx five
segments--flowers terminal--corolla deep scarlet--eight petals,
orbicular, undulate--stamens many--anthers bright yellow--styles
three--germen superior.
Though this beautiful plant has been so long known in our gardens,
being introduced in the year 1756, it seldom grows luxuriantly, which
perhaps may be accounted for by the liability of the roots to decay in
cold wet soils. It is a native of Siberia, flowers in May, and makes a
brilliant appearance when grown in large patches. The Pæonias grow best
in a rich loamy soil, and may be increased by parting the roots, or by
seed; by the latter means several most beautiful varieties have been
raised of the Pæonia moutan, of which a full account may be seen in the
"Hor. Soc. Trans.," vol. 6. This is a remarkably handsome genus. Some
of the most ornamental are
P. odorata.
-- sibirica.
-- albiflora.
-- Sabinii.
-- peregrina.
-- rosea.
-- moutan.
-- papavaracea.
-- corallina.
-- humilis.
Pl. 17.
[Illustration: _Plate 18._ _Phlox Divaricata._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
PHLOX divaricata.
_Early-flowering Lychnidea._
_Class and Order._--PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Phlox divaricata. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _pl._ 163. _Pursh's Flo. N.
A._, _vol._ i., _p._ 150.
Root fibrous--stem branching--leaves opposite, sessile, oblong
oval, acute, undulate--flowers corymbose--peduncles short--calyx
five segments, linear, acute--corolla monopetalous--five segments,
emarginate, narrower at the base--pale blue--stamens five--style
one--stigma divided into three parts.
The genus Phlox is perhaps one of the most beautiful cultivated in
our gardens, and affords a delightful variety, its different species
flowering all through the Summer and Autumn. The plant here figured
is the earliest; and though it cannot boast of brilliancy, it is
remarkable for the beautiful delicacy of its colour, and modest
appearance. It grows low, seldom exceeding eight or ten inches in
height, and is, on this account, very suitable for rock work. It
flowers in May, likes a strong loamy soil, and is increased by parting
the roots, or by cuttings. This species is a native of the mountains of
Virginia, North America, and was brought into this country by the late
Mr. Fraser. There are various others equally desirable for a flower
garden. Amongst the most beautiful are
P. pyramidalis.
-- ovata.
-- carnea.
-- nivalis.
-- setacea.
-- subulata.
-- reflexa.
-- amæma.
-- stolonifera.
Pl. 18.
[Illustration: _Plate 19._ _Anemone Palmata._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
ANEMONE palmata.
_Cyclamen-leaved Anemone._
_Class and Order._--POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
Syn. Anemone palmata. _Bot. Reg._ _pl._ 200. _Persoon. Syn. Plan._,
_vol._ ii., _p._ 97.
Root tuberous--leaves radical, cordate, suborbiculate, dentate--stem
radical, clothed with a ferruginous hair--flower issuing from an
involucrum, sessile, trifid--corolla yellow--petals about twelve,
oblong, obtuse--stamens numerous--styles many--germen superior.
This is a most striking and ornamental species, and though it is said
to have been introduced so far back as the year 1597, is still rare in
our gardens. It is difficult to cultivate, perhaps requiring a little
stronger soil than Anemonies generally do. When its roots have attained
a great size, it should be removed or divided, as it is then liable to
decay; few, however, are fortunate enough to cultivate it to such a
state of luxuriance. It is perfectly hardy, though mostly treated as a
frame plant. The under side of the lower radical leaves is tinged with
a bright violet colour. The genus Anemone is a numerous one, and can
boast of many ornamental species.
A. appennina.
-- hortensis.
-- patens.
-- narcissiflora.
-- pratensis.
-- sylvestris.
-- baldensis.
-- thalictroides.
-- pavonina.
-- pulsatilla.
Pl. 19.
[Illustration: _Plate 20._ _Pulmonaria Paniculata._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
PULMONARIA paniculata.
_Panicled Lungwort._
_Class and Order._--PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Pulmonaria paniculata. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _pl._ 2680.
Root tuberous--stem branched, one to two feet high--leaves ovate,
oblong, acuminate, strongly nerved--panicles leafy--flowers
drooping--calyx five segments--corolla funnel-shaped, contracted near
the base--when arrived at maturity, of a brilliant blue--stamens
five--style equal with the stamens--stigma obtuse--plant hispid.
This beautiful plant, according to the "Bot. Mag.," 2680, is a native
of Hudson's Bay, and was "Originally introduced to the Kew Gardens by
the late Dr. Solander, in 1778." It is still rare, and difficult to
cultivate, though in congenial situations it will sow its seed, and
increase abundantly; but the general method of propagating it is by
parting the roots. The plant from which the annexed drawing was made
grows luxuriantly in a cold, stiff soil, and has endured our severest
winters without protection. It flowers in June; and though each blossom
falls off almost as soon as it becomes perfect, there is a succession
for a considerable time. The most beautiful species of this genus are--
P. virginica.
-- davurica.
Pl. 20.
[Illustration: _Plate 21._ _Campanula Pulla._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
CAMPANULA pulla.
_Russet Bell Flower._
_Class and Order._--PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Campanula pulla. _Loddige's Bot. Cab._, _p._ 554.
Root fibrous--plant from two to three inches high--stem slender,
radical, leafy, one-flowered--leaves very small, ovate, crenate,
sessile, opposite--flowers terminal, drooping--calyx five
segments--corolla purple, monopetalous, campanulate--margin five
cleft--stamens five--style longer than the stamens--stigma divided
into three parts--germen inferior.
This lovely little plant is a native of the mountains of Austria and
Styria, and is particularly ornamental for rock work, to which it is
well adapted by its low growth and general habit. It was introduced
into this country about the year 1779, but is still very seldom met
with. It is hardy, though like many Alpine plants is liable to be lost
in the Winter unless protected, and it is therefore the safest plan
either to keep it in a frame, or to cover it with dry leaves and a
hand glass during Winter. It flowers in June, likes a light rich soil,
and is increased by parting the roots. The genus Campanula is a very
numerous one, consisting of upwards of sixty species: some of the most
ornamental are--
C. peregrina.
-- carpatica.
-- patula.
-- persicifolia.
-- capitata.
-- barbata.
-- punctata.
-- Scheuchzeri.
-- pyramidalis.
-- azurea.
Pl. 21.
[Illustration: _Plate 22._ _Œnothera Triloba._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
ŒNOTHERA triloba.
_Dandelion-leaved Evening Primrose._
_Class and Order._--OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Œnothera triloba. _Curt. Bot. Mag._, _pl._ 2566.
Root biennial? spindle-shaped--leaves radical, lyrate, dentate,
smooth, middle rib strong--flower radical, rising from amongst the
bright green leaves--calyx tubular--four segments, lanceolate,
acute--corolla pale delicate yellow--petals four, slightly trilobed,
undulate--stamens eight--filaments shorter than the petals--anthers
oblong, bright yellow--style a little longer than the stamens--stigma
four-cleft--capsule radical, sessile, containing four cells.
The specific name of this very interesting plant was given by Professor
Nuttal, in consequence of what he considered the three-lobed form
of its petals; this is however so very slight as to be scarcely
observable, and therefore perhaps ought not to be considered a
specific distinction. It was discovered by the Professor in the
Arkansas country, in 1819, and seeds were afterwards brought by that
indefatigable traveller and naturalist, Mr. D. Douglas, from North
America, in 1824. This plant, which has a succession of flowers
throughout the Summer, is extremely liable to decay, if not kept dry in
the Winter; but it may be raised from seed, or by parting the roots in
Autumn, and keeping them in a frame, in pots of light dry soil, giving
them very little or no water until the roots begin to shoot in the
Spring. This is the best method of increasing the Œ. cespitosa, a most
lovely plant, but extremely difficult to propagate. There are numerous
species and varieties of this very interesting genus: some of the most
beautiful are--
Œ. frutiosa.
-- speciosa.
-- acaulis.
-- rosea.
-- pallida.
-- glauca.
-- grandiflora.
-- amæna.
-- tenella.
-- viminea.
Pl. 22.
[Illustration: _Plate 23._ _Clarkia Pulchella._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
CLARKIA pulchella.
_Pretty Clarkia._
_Class and Order._--TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA.
Syn. Clarkia pulchella. _Pursh. Fl. N. A._, _vol._ i. _p._ 260. _Bot.
Reg._, _pl._ 1100.
Plant annual--stem erect, branching--leaves linear, lanceolate,
sessile, smooth--peduncles short--flowers growing from the axils of
the leaves, solitary--calyx one segment, lanceolate, keeled--corolla
beautiful purple pink--petals four, trilobed, obtuse, horned at
the base--stamens four--anthers involute--style longer than the
stamens--stigma divided into four parts--capsule oblong, grooved.
This very beautiful and singular annual was named by Pursh, in honour
of Captain Clark, the companion of Captain Lewis, whose interesting
travels across the continent of North America are so well known. It
was found by Mr. Douglas, in the countries around the Columbia river,
and brought by him into this country, to the Horticultural Society.
The plant is hardy; but to facilitate its bloom, the seeds should be
sown in a hotbed early in the Spring, and when the plants have acquired
sufficient strength they may be removed to the borders, where they will
continue to flower until destroyed by frost. This is the only species
known of this genus.
Pl. 23.
[Illustration: _Plate 24._ _Potentilla Nipalensis._
_Drawn from Nature by M.R._ _Engraved by R. Havell Jun^{r.}_]
POTENTILLA Nipalensis.
_Nipal Potentilla._
_Class and Order._--ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
Syn. Potentilla Nipalensis. _Hooker's Exotic Flora_, _vol._ ii., _pl._
88.
Root fibrous--stem erect, branching--radical leaves, quinate--leaflets
obovate, lanceolate, serrate--stipules large, broad,
lanceolate--flowers terminal, on long peduncles--calyx double--five
outer segments small, five inner somewhat larger--corolla five petals,
emarginate, beautiful rose colour, darker at the base--stamens
numerous--styles many--whole plant, hairy.
For this beautiful species of Potentilla we are indebted to the
celebrated Dr. Wallich, of the Botanic Garden, Calcutta, who discovered
it in Nipal, and sent seeds of it to this country. It is now becoming
generally known, and is a great acquisition to our gardens, both for
the beauty of its flower and continuing so long in blossom. A light
loam suits it best; and when it likes the situation it will sow itself,
and is therefore easily propagated. The genus Potentilla is not a showy
one, but there are several pretty species:--
P. atrosanguinea.
-- clusiana.
-- hirta.
-- lupinaster.
-- nivea.
-- pedata.
Pl. 24.