This is indeed a novelty among this class of valuable plants, being the
first double ever known. It is said to be equal if not superior, in
profuse blooming quality, and vigorous, healthy growth, to the single
white variety, _Davidsonii_, of which it is a sport. The flowers are
rather larger than those of the single flowering, and composed of three
perfect rows of petals, of the purest waxy white color, each floweret
resembling a miniature Tuberose. The trusses are large and perfect, and
are freely and without interruption produced, even on the small side
shoots, which generally make no flowers on the single one. It is highly
praised by Mr. Thomas Meehan, florist and editor of the _Gardeners'
Monthly_, and by Mr. Henry A. Dreer, florist, of Philadelphia. "A grand
thing," says Mr. Meehan. "Gives great satisfaction. It has excelled our
expectation," says Mr. Dreer.
My own specimen, about four inches in height, has twelve buds; two small
clusters are on side-shoots. The very fine illustration of this
Bouvardia we give our readers, has been kindly loaned by the Ellis
Brothers, Keene, N. H., who have a fine stock which they are offering to
the public.
Mr. Henry Cannell says, "Of all plants the Bouvardia, in our opinion,
excels for cut flowers, no matter either for button-hole bouquets or
table decoration; a spray of it is sure to be most prominent and
pleasing, and the odor of several kinds is deliciously refreshing, and
if well-grown they will more or less continue flowering nine months out
of the year. Strange to say, they need only the ordinary course of
cultivation of the winter-flowering Zonal Pelargonium; hitherto they
have been treated as a stove plant, whereas they only need a temperature
not higher than 50° to 60°, and in the summer to have every attention,
like a specimen Chrysanthemum, and on the first appearance of frost to
be taken into the house, and when growing and flowering, to be supplied
with liquid manure occasionally."
Our only experience with this genus has been with _Bouvardia Humboldtii
Corymbiflora_, and it has proved to be a very valuable plant. Its pure
white flowers are produced in large trusses; their tubes are three
inches in length, and very fragrant. It blooms very freely and for a
long period. This variety and _Vreelandii_ are the best single white.
_Liantha_ is a dazzling scarlet, and a very profuse bloomer. _Elegans_,
salmon-scarlet; large and fine. _Lady Hyslop_, a light rose. _Canspicua_
is of a blood-red color, with whitish tube. _Bicolor_, a
summer-flowering variety. Flower tube purple, with tint of blue and
delicately mottled flesh, tipped with white. These last we find, only in
Cannell's _Floral Guide_.
I have no difficulty in keeping my Bouvardia in the cellar, the leaves
drop off, but they come out anew in the spring.