c/fary/ft Un\/mgateIloyd < SB403 j 4 .M451b v. 12 \ib Y> 1 Ex Libris The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society From the library of MAE? HELEN WINGATE LLOYD given by her sons •» > » > *!»>, • »> , £ -X» ►>-> »> 5 fi >1 ►1 0*SJ] * ■>-31 »> j>=j <■> > V >>'» ►>>'>; r» »JS »> » >>» E»3J > >> .ft Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/botanicgardencon12maun StTulW plat • at TCait flor i ■ THE BOTANIC GARDEN; CONSISTING OF HIGHLY FINISHED REPRESENTATIONS OF HARDY ORNAMENTAL FLOWERING PLANTS, CULTIVATED IN GREAT BRITAIN; WITH THEIR NAMES, CLASSES, ORDERS, HISTORY, QUALITIES, CULTURE, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. MV B. MAUND, F. L.S. VOL. XII. “Not a tree, A plant, a leaf, a blossom, but contains A folio volume. We may read and read, And read again, and still find something new, Something to please and something to instruct.’’ Huudis. ILontion ; PUBLISHED BY GROOM BRIDGE AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW, •~r(z* < PREFACE. F ROM Adam downwards, in the stream of time, have the utility and pleasures of gardening occupied the attention of man- kind ; and both the science and art which it combines, have been progressive, unless interfered with by the downfal of nations. In our own day this rapidity of progression has sur- passed that of every age of which we have any record ; aided by means which peculiarly characterize the present age — Exhi- bitions of garden produce, and periodical literature. We have, gladly, in our own periodical, as far as our own feeble powers admit, endeavoured to assist this advancement. Its sphere of information has been extended, and addition after addition has been made, to compass all that seemed important to the culti- vator of a garden. Thus, year after year, it is earnestly hoped, its value has increased. It is now seen and felt that profit, in a garden, is not incom- patible with pleasure — that Fruits are not incompatible with Flowers ; and these we combine for the benefit of our readers. Fruit trees, it has been shown by Mr. Errington,and those who have followed his practice, can be maintained in productiveness whilst their dimensions may be limited at the discretion of the cultivator, to render them subservient, whatever their situation, to the purposes of ornament. Again, cheap protective structures have hitherto been little considered, although capable, under proper management, of affording a vast amount of profitable enjoyment, especially to the amateur cultivator. Many flowers, fruits, and vegetables, may be brought beneficially within the influence of inexpensive pro tection, as it is intended hereafter to show. Other subjects of importance it is intended to bring under consideration ; especially the value of artificial manures, and their applicability to gardening purposes. PETU'NIA PHCENI'CEA. PURPLE- FLOWERED PETUNIA. C/ass. Order. PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. SOLANACE^E. Garden Height. Flowers in Duration. Cultivated Variety. 2§ feet. June to Nov- Perennial. in 1844. No. 1057. The Brazilian name of the Petunia nyctagini- flora, is petum or petun, hence, a name derived therefrom was adopted by Jussieu. The word, Petunia, is now so well established by common use, amongst us, that it is preferable to employ it, to the discontinuance of Nierembergia, which in reality has prior claim. Under No. 416, we figured the original Petunia phoenicea, a flower of brilliant purple ; still, in the estimation of the florist, it- has become less attractive than some of the newly-raised varieties. Such has been the number of these handsome seedlings, possessing, as they do, much to recommend them, in their variable markings and shadings, that we here figure one from amongst them, which may show the power that is in the hands of the ingenious propagator, if he will but assiduously employ it. Every bring being, whether of the animal or vegetable kingdom, appeal's to possess capability of improvement, if man but direct his attention to its favourable development. Entire beds of these novelties are exceedingly showy, where space admits of such arrangement. CEANO'THUS PAL'LIDUS. PALE-FLOWERED RED WOOD. Class. Order. FENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. RHAMNACEA. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced N. America 3 feet. June to Oct. Shrub. in 1818. No. 1058. The Greeks possessed a plant which they called keanothos, a spiny shrub ; but their description of it has not enabled modern botanists to identify it. Names, as we have before stated, are some- times borrowed from the ancients, in preference to inventing new ones, although they cannot be applied to the identical subjects which originally bore them. “This plant,” says Dr. Lindley, “occurs in the gardens under the name of Ceanothus ovatus and thyrsiflorus, from both of which it is certainly dis- tinct. It approaches more nearly to the lovely Ceanothus azureus, but its leaves are green not hoary beneath, and the flowers are smaller as well as much paler. If it were possible that such a thing would happen, this might be suspected to be across between Ceanothus azureus and Americanus.” This shrub proves to be much hardier than Cea- nothus azureus; and, planted in a diy sandy peat, we have seen it bear our winters and become a large bush. It produces abundance of its modest blue flowers, ornamental to the shrubbery for three or four months. May be easily struck from cuttings of the young wood. CRATiE'GUS OXY CAN'T H A . Var. aurea. GOLDEN-FRUITED HAWTHORN. Class. 1COSANDRIA. Order. DI-PENTAG YNIA. Natural Order. ROSACE JE. Seedling Height. Flowers in Habit. Cultivated Variety. 15 feet. May, J une. Shrub. in 1796. No. 1059. The word, Crataegus, is founded on the Greek kratos, signifying strength ; and has been used in allusion to the hard wood of the Hawthorn. This variety of the common Hawthorn is called aurea, or golden-fruited ; its berries, in lieu of being red, like its more common congener, are of golden yellow. On this account it is desirable in the shrubbery, as a novelty, independently of being veiy ornamental. It is not commonly met with in cultivation ; and as it generally bears an abun- dance of berries, which continue on the trees all the winter, no respectable shrubbery should be without this golden-fruited variety. An observant person cannot have omitted to notice, that all such shrubs and trees, as are raised from seeds, produce an offspring varying in many parti- culars. In none is this more marked than in the Hawthorn, which so often bounds our roads on the right and on the left; filling it, in spring, with a powerful fragrance ; and in autumn, adorning it with diversified masses of golden foliage, and ber- ries of coral. The first opening buds of the Haw- thorn, in spring, show us a pleasing variety. All being seedling plants, they expand their leaves at different times, and assume thereby various tints of green. In unpruned trees or bushes, where their natural character is truly developed, the branches of some are loose and spreading ; others round and compact ; some have an upright growth, and others give grace of outline by their pendulous habit. In the autumn, too, their diversity is ren- dered still more attractive. Their leaves change their hue at different times , some pertinaciously hold fast their wonted green, whilst others relin- quish it early, for a change of yellow. Their vari- able forms, and numerous tints of fruit and foliage, adorn the autumn in some parts of England, with a charm afforded by no other shrub or tree. Oaks — monarchs of the forest, make, on the contemplative mind, a different impression. They, however, like the Hawthorn, raised from seeds, resist, with variable power, the chilling breath of winter. Some, of delicate constitution, early betray the jaundiced tinge ; others, matured and vigorous, nobly defy the northern blast, till this destroyer, invigorated by draughts from the Arctic Ocean, returns like an assassin, in the night, and stains the monarch’s robe ; which, disdaining to wear, he flings at his feet, and challenges the freezing foe. The cultivation of this shrub demands so little attention, that it scarcely need be noticed. It is found in almost every soil and situation. We would mention that peculiar varieties, like the golden-fruited, are increased only by grafting, which is effected on stocks of the common sorts. I 'LEX AQUIFO'LIUM. MIDDLE-rAISTED-LEAVED HOLLY. Class. PENTANDRIA. Order. TETRAGYNIA. Natural Order. AQUIFOLIACEAS. Garden Height. Flowers in Habit. Cultivated Variety. 10 feet. Apr., June. Shrub. in 1796. No. 1060. The 979th plant of this work is Ilex balearica, a fine shrub, resembling the common Holly, but of more free growth, and larger foliage, To the des- cription of this plant we may refer for the deriva- tion of the name. Holme, is an old and rather common name for the Holly; as may he sup- posed from its name being still attached to land and houses, as Homesdale, Holmescroft, &c. where its meaning has long been forgotten. Too little use is now made of Hollies in all our ornamental plantations, for they are, in fact, the jewels of the shrubbery ; none so brilliant, none so glittering, as the Holly ; and that, not for a season only; but in winter as in summer, in one age as in another, for it lives for centuries. Pliny men- tions one, at Rome, 800 years old. If variety he coveted, it is freely given in the peculiarities of the spiny green leaves, in numerous variegations, and in differences of fruit. More attention appears to have been paid to these varieties, a century ago, than at present; for Miller enumerates many; some of which glory in names full of the gallantry of the age, as Phyllis, Painted Lady, Milkmaid, PY'RUS PRUNIFO'LlA. PLUM-LEAVED SIBERIAN CRAB. Class. Order. ICOSANDRIA. DI-PKNTAGYNIA Natural Order. POMACE.*. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced Siberia. 30 feet. May. Tree. in 1758. No. 1129. Some difference of opinion has arisen respecting the origin of the word Pyrus. The most satisfac- tory is that of De Theis, who says that from the Celtic peren, originated the Anglo Saxon pere, the French poire, the English pear, and the sys- tematic name pyrus. There are occasionally to be met with in English gardens two very distinct and different trees, each of which is called a Siberian Crab-tree. Their fruit, too, is equally distinct ; the one, Pyrus pra- nifolia, with a persistent calyx, as in our present plate ; the other, Pyrus baccata, with a longer stalk, its calyx obliterated, leaving the fruit much resem- bling a Cherry. In Loudon's Arboretum another is mentioned, called Bigg’s Everlasting Crab, which . was raised in the Cambridge Botanic Garden, in 1814, from seed received from Siberia, possessing a character intermediate between the two preceding sorts. It is said to have pendulous branches, and to be a most abundant bearer. All may be propagated by grafting them on stocks of the common English Crab; and their hardy nature fits them for any situation. 283. . NORDMAN'NIA CORDIFO'LIA. HEART-LEAVED NORDMANNIA. Class. Order. TETRANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. thyjielacea;. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Introduced China. 10 inches. March. Perennial. in 1846. No. 1130. A plant of recent introduction to this country, having been first published by Fischer and Meyer, and named, we presume, in compliment to one of their friends. This pretty plant is a native of China, and its curious twisted petals, standing out, at almost right angles, from its conical cluster of stamens, reminds us of some of the whimsical architectural ornaments indulged in by the inhabitants of its own country. We cannot, however, accuse the Chinese of in- tentionally founding their taste on too strict an adherence to the beauties displayed in natural pro- ductions. They love extravagant embellishment ; but, to do them justice, it should be observed, that there is no difficulty in referring the general fea- tures of their splendid pagodas to the fir tribe. Some varieties of the Spruce Fir, the Larch, and others, it may readily be supposed, had originally an influence on their architectural taste. The Nordmannia cordifolia, for which we are in- debted to the Messrs. Pope, of Handsworth, is con- sidered by them as a good forcing plant ; and hardy enough for culture in a dry sheltered border. CALLIPRO'RA LU'TEA. Var. Major. LAEGE YELLOW-FLOWERED CALLIPRORA. Class. HEXANDRIA. Order. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. LILIACE.E. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced California. 18 inches. July, Aug. Bulb. in 1831. No. 1131. The name of this genus is founded on the Greek eallipros, signifying pretty-face ; hence it may be called Yellow Pretty-face. Hardy bulbs, even if but conspicuous varieties of one species, like the present plant, are always acceptable to the lovers of the open flower garden. There is no class of plants that requires, at the hand of the cultivator, less of his labour, for the amount of beauty they give in return ; and when, on the stage of gaiety, they have performed their respective parts, they make their exit; and are no more seen, till again summoned forth by the sun in the suc- ceeding year. He then sends forth his rays to pierce the earth, and, in the words of Isaiah, may be supposed to call — “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust and again the stage of beauty is peopled for the gratification of all, and for the instruction likewise, of those who choose to read the book of Nature ; for, as Austen, whom we have elsewhere quoted, says, — “Not only rational and irrational, but even inanimate creatures, have a voice, and speak loudly to men, and it is our duty to learn their language, and hearken to them. The ancients were skilled in this kind of learning, in teaching by similitudes, and one of them observes, that God sent us the Book of Nature before he sent us the Book of the Scriptures.” The plant now published has appeared in some gardens as Calliprora speciosa, from its size, and the depth of its colour. It is desirable that this error should be corrected, it being doubtless, but a seedling variety of the original Calliprora lutea. This latter bulb was discovered by Douglas, in Cali- fornia ; and when we reflect on the number of fine plants that he collected, how many thousands of beautiful subjects, may we not reasonably suppose, are still left behind ! Even close to his very foot- steps may have existed, unseen, plants of as great splendour as any he discovered. Everybody knows the beautiful Lupines that now so generally orna- ment our gardens ; of these, no less than seven- teen species he found on his first visit to the shores of the Columbia; and although considerable ex- ertions have lately been made for the discovery of new plants, these are, in comparison with the extent of country unexplored, literally of no moment. North America alone being eight millions of square miles in content, thousands — perhaps hundreds of thousands of miles exist, on which no human foot has trod, which, notwithstanding, are embellished with innumerable plants, unknown to man. The cultivation of this bulb is simple; it only requires to be planted in a friable sandy peat ; and shade seems to favour its flowering. Although it has been fully exposed in England, we would pro- tect a single plant. AR'BUTUS SPECIO'SA. SHOWY STRAWBERRY TREE. Class. DECANDRIA. Order. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. ericacea:. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced Mexico. 4 feet. June. Shrub. in 1637. No. 1132. Whether the name Arbutus was deduced from the Celtic ar boise, a rough bush ; or the Latin arbos, tree, is now unknown. The ancient Greeks had no such name ; they were acquainted with our Strawberry Tree ; but this they called Comaros. The Arbutus speciosa was introduced to our gar- dens through the London Horticultural Society; seeds having been imported from Mexico, and plants first propagated in the Society’s garden. The abundance of flowers produced by this Ar- butus makes it exceedingly desirable; its handsome evergreen foliage also, — very distinct from the com- mon Arbutus, will assist in giving variety to our winter-brightening shrubs. The height which it will attain in this country cannot, with certainty, be stated; that which we have quoted being the greatest we have seen. We are not sure that this species is as hardy as the common Arbutus unedo, inasmuch as we have not seen it exposed to severe frosts. It may be propagated from cuttings ; but strong plants may be more readily obtained by grafting it on the common species. Cornu 8 mnsculn. .Tasione montana. Primus spinosa Gladiolus Gandavensis. ¥9 v GLADI'OLUS GANDAVEN'SIS. GHENT CORNFLAG. Class. Order. TRI4NDRIA. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. IRIDACE JE. Hybrid Height. Flowers in Habit. Cultivated Origin. 4 feet. August. Bulb. in 1843. No. 1133. The name, Gladiolus, is founded on the Latin gladius, a sword; from the shape of its leaves. The subject now figured, probably, received its trivial name, Gandavensis, from Van Houtte, nur- seryman of Ghent, who first made it known ; not that it originated with him, for we owe its origin to the gardener of the Due d’Aremberg, at Enghien. One of the largest, and the most splendid Gladiolus, with which we are acquainted; it excels the Gladiolus Natalensis, No. 536 ; indeed, it is by hybridisation, as one means, and by the diligent employment of all those powers which are placed at our command by Him who created every plant in its present beauty, that we promote the advance- ment originally ordained. The wild plant, the untamed animal, the human mind, are all pro- gressive, capable of — intended for — advancement in their respective ranks of creation. For the specimen from which our drawing was made, we are obliged to the kind attentions of J. Willmore, Esq. of Oldford, who possesses a splen- did collection of the new varieties of Gladioli. To his energetic gardener, Mr. J. Cole, we are also 284. indebted for assistance in their classification, and we may, ere long, state his mode of culture. The showy hybrid kinds of Gladiolus may be divided into four sections, based on the following distinct species, viz. Cardinalis, Blandus, Flori- bundus, and Natalensis, to which they have res- pectively more or less affinity. The hybrid kinds of Cardinalis are known by the spike of flowers being recurved, the flowers scarlet, in various shades, and with few exceptions they have a delicate white feathering in the lower petals. Among some of the most beautiful are Imperialis, Prince Albert, Queen Bess, Christianus, Gem, and Insignis. The Blandus hybrids vary from the above, in their flowers being white, rose, or pink, with vari- ously coloured markings in their lower petals. Amongst the best of this division are Virgin Queen, La Princesse, Princeps, Pudibundus, Splendens, and Loddigesii. From Floribundus comparatively few hybrids have been obtained; they are distinguished by their flower spikes being erect, inclined to branch, and thickly set with flowers; more or less resembling the parent in colour. Albicans, Roseus, Ramosus, and Pyramidalis, rank amongst the finest. The hybrids of Natalensis are also few in num- ber; they are, however, highly desirable, in conse- quence of their having proved nearly hardy ; they are distinguishable by their resemblance to the parent, in point of growth and general resem- blance. The most desirable varieties are Ganda- vensis orange, Gandavensis dark, and Bidwelliana. PRU'NUS SPINO'SA. Var. Pleno. THE SLOE THORN. Class. ICOSANDRIA. Order. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. ROSACEA. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Inhabits Europe. 20 feet. March. Shrub. Hedges. No. 1134. The word Pruniis, it is believed, is derived from the Asiatic proumnos, the name of the wild plum. Here we have a shrub of much beauty; wild and spinous, yet flowering in splendor; every blossom being a miniature rose of snowy whiteness; a barren thorn it may be said, yet own brother to the Green Gage Plum as well as the Sloe. Culti- vation has produced the change, as it has made the philosopher out of the savage. It has been well observed by Loudon, in his Arboretum, in allusion to hybrid and other cultivated plants, that “It must not be forgotten that almost all the culti- vated plants, of most value to man, have been produced by some kind of artificial process. Ex- periments of this kind, therefore, ought never to be discouraged. What cultivation has done, we know, but what it may yet accomplish, is concealed in the womb of time.” This double-flowering form of Prunus is by no means common in cultivation, although so hardy and showy. It is but a variety of the single-flower- ed Sloe Thorn, which is so frequently met with in hedges and copses, not alone in England, but nearly all over Europe, and in some parts of Africa and Asia. America does not claim it as her own, but has imported it; and in that country it is used as in England, in fences. For this purpose it would, at first sight, be thought superior to the hawthorn, hut it is not so. Instead of the parent plant raising a young and useful family of shoots at home, to strengthen the hedge, as its own powers decline, it sends out a progeny of wanderers, that encroach on the adjacent land, in all directions. Duhamel remarks that, in France, it was observed that lands adjoining forests were invaded by the sloe thorn, and, if not eradicated, it protected the seeds of timber trees, threatening, that, at no great distance of time, the whole would be covered with forests. The wood of the sloe tree is exceedingly hard and tough; and a wound from its thorns was thought, by Withering, to be more difficult to heal than one from the spines of the common hawthorn. Its fruit has been used for several purposes — some not the most honest, for it is said to enter largely into the manufacture of inferior port wines; just as the leaves have into “Chinese” tea. A small proportion of the fruit has been advantageously used in some kinds of British wines, especially that from the Elder-berry, to give it a brisker flavour and slight astringency. The double variety of the Sloe Thorn is most ornamental when trained to a single stem, with a spreading head; and thus grown, has a character of its own, well suited to the embellishment of woodland districts. COR'NUS MAS'CULA. CORNELIAN CHERRY. Class. TETRANDRIA. Order. MONOGYN1A. Natural Order. CORNACEjE, Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Cultivated Europe. 15 feet. March. Tree. in 1568. No. 1135. Cornus is derived from cornu, horn, from the extreme hardness of the wood of the Cornus, or Dogwood. The name mas or mascula, may be traced in connection with this plant for about two thousand years, indicating the presence of stamens only in its flowers. The Cornelian Cherry is of slow growth, forming a small tree, which so early as February or March, puts forth its umbels of yellow flowers, even before its leaves have hurst their hybernaculum. In this state, in a bright spring day, when the yellow Crocus, equally unclothed, comes to meet it, they give a pleasing promise of the charms of summer. The leaf, in the engraving, it should be observed, was drawn subsequent to the appearance of the flowers. The character of barrenness attributed to this tree is applicable only whilst it is young ; when old, it bears an eatable astringent fruit, from which it has received the name Cornelian Cherry, or Cornel tree. Its red fruit continues long to ornament the shrubbery. The tree may be propagated by any of the com- mon modes, and prospers in calcareous soils. JASIO'NE MONTA'NA. MOUNTAIN SHEEP’S SCABIOUS. Class. PENTANDRIA. Order. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. CAMPANULACEAS. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Inhabits Britain. 1 foot. June. Annual. Pastures. No. 1 136. The name of this genus has descended to us from the Greeks, hut is of uncertain derivation. There is scarcely any foundation for supposing it to have come from ion, a violet. This is an annual plant of little pretension, but in the mass, when well grown, produces considera- ble effect, hence it becomes suitable for entire beds. Most of the Campanulaceae are furnished with hairy styles, the hairs being arranged in exact relation to the position of the anthers, so that they are supplied with the means of readily collecting the pollen. In the Jasione this evidence of design is still more interestingly displayed. The florets of the disk have fertile stamens, but barren club-shaped pistils. On the contrary, the florets of the circum- ference have fertile pistils, but ban-en stamens, hence the barren pistils, in their gradual extension between the fertile anthers, collect the pollen, and transmit it to the fertile ones, which from their position, would not otherwise receive it. How could the purpose be more beautifully accomplished! Jasione Montana is propagated as other hardy annuals. Trollius huinilis. Silenc speciosa. Colchicum variegatum. Spiraea pmnifolia. COL'CHICUM VARIEGA'TUM. CHECKERED-FLOWERED MEADOW SAFFRON- Class. Order. HEXANDRIA. TRIGYNIA. Natural Order. melanthacea:. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced Greece. 4 inches. September. Bulb. in 1629. No. 1137. The word Colchicum is founded on Colchis, the name of a country in Asia. Of the qualities of Colchicum variegatum we have no evidence ; hut those of the Colchicum autumnale, a plant which abounds in meadows, in various parts of England, are so powerful and poi- sonous, that it may be well to put on record the dangerous character of its leaves to cattle ; and the more especially so from its having been stated that cattle never eat it. Generally speaking this is true, but two instances have come to our knowledge of cows having eaten it and died, on first being turned out to grass in May, when its leaves are quite young, and the cattle, after the dry hay and straw of winter, not fastidious in regard to their green food. If its leaves were pulled up on their first appearance, for two or three years, there can be little doubt but it would be destroyed. Colchicum variegatum is an exceedingly pretty border plant, with the same habit as the wild Mea- dow Saffron, above alluded to, producing its flowers in autumn, and its leaves in spring ; and it is nearly as hardy as that species. 285. SPIRiE'A PRUNIFO'LIA. Flore Pleno. DOUBLE-FLOWERING JAPAN SPIRAEA. Class. JCOSANDRIA. Order. DI-PENTAGYNIA. Natural Order. rosacea:. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Introduced China. 6 feet. May, June. Shrub. in 1847. No. 1138. It is questionable whether the Greeks adopted this name from the cord-like branches of their plant, or from its wreaths or cords of flowers. See No. 1045. F or one of the prettiest flowering shrubs to which we have for a long time been introduced, we are indebted to the obliging attentions of the Messrs. Pope, of Handsworth ; who, constant to their usual practice, seize the earliest opportunity of obtaining every novelty that is worthy of a place in the gar- dens of their customers. The blessings of peace have given us the wide world to wander over. Africa, the Indies, and the far-spread continent of America, from the ton-id to the frigid zones, are continually pouring in their riches upon us, so that before the pleasurable excitement from one acces- sion has ceased, another lays claim to attention. The productions of the warmer parts of the world have extended the number of plants for our hot- houses, in an extraordinary degree ; but, still, it must be confessed, that a charm attends the open garden, which never can be realized in the conser- vatory, the greenhouse, or stove. We would not depreciate the delight of nursing the tender inha- bitants of a foreign clime — of bestowing a shelter to those plants that would die in the storm ; hut who can do otherwise than look, with the liveliest interest, on such as will brave the blasts of adversity, that encounter the harshness of winter, and smile again in the spring. Let us take a lesson from such as " Expand in the tempest, and bloom in the breeze, An emblem of sweet independence are these ; And the soul who beholds them unhurt in the strife, Shall learn to contend with the troubles of life ; And when the cold wind of adversity’s felt, And the shafts of affliction are ruthlessly dealt. His spirit, unbroken, shall rise to the last, And his virtues shall open and bloom in the blast.” The double-flowering Spiraea prunifolia was in troduced to this country by M. Louis Van Houtte, nurseryman, of Ghent ; who, according to his pub- lished list of subscribers, sold a hundred and fifty plants, in 1847, at a guinea each ; the first medal for the best novelty having been awarded for it, at exhibitions of flowers in Paris and other places in France. The original stock was purchased of Dr. Siehold, its importer from Japan, who met with it in cultivation, in the gardens of the Japanese. It is not believed to be a native of Japan, hut of the north of China, or of Corea ; and, as regards its hardiness, it is said to have borne exposure at G hent, with Fahrenheit’s thermometer at zero. It may, without doubt, be propagated by cuttings or layering, but of this, it is fair to state, we have at present had no experience. TROL'LIUS HU'MILIS. DWARF GLOEE FLOWER. Class. Order. rOLYANDRIA. POLYGYNIA. Natural Order. RANCNCCLACE^E. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Introduced Austria. 9 inches. May, June Perennial. in 1800. No. 1139. The name of the plant now to be considered, has been founded on a German word, signifying round or globular ; a character that is prominent in the species Europaeus, which is a native alike of Eng- land and Germany. Trollius humilis, to the eye of the commonest observer, is at once discovered to be unlike the species Europaeus, just referred to ; but when des- cribed in words, it possesses no well-defined char- acter by which it can be distinguished. This plant is much smaller than Europaeus, and its flower wants that globe-like form which so prominently distinguishes its congener ; but these differences constitute no distinctive botanical character, conse- quently Decandolle, the eminent French botanist, has esteemed Trollius humilis as a variety only of Trollius Europaeus. Few plants more amply repay good culture than does the present one. Growing wild, on its native plains in Austria, it seldom rises but a few inches in height ; but under generous treatment, in a cultivated border, it will attain a foot, and increase more freely for division. SILE'NE SPECIO'SA. SHOWY CATCHFLY. Class. Order. DECANDKIA. TRIGYNIA. Natural Order. silenacea:. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Cultivated America. 1 foot. Aug., Sep. Annual. in 1847. No. 1140. Silcne is from the Greek, sialon, saliva ; in al- lusion to the exudation that prevails on the stems of most of the species. The spontaneous exudation from trees and small plants, is little seen in this country, but in hot climates it is otherwise. The manna of commerce is perhaps the most marked instance of vegetable exudation which is known ; but notwithstanding this medicinal substance is afforded spontaneously, from several species of large trees, the greatest portion of it is obtained by making incisions in their bark, and thus facilitating the escape of its juices. Several sorts of wax, gums, and resins, are exudations from trees ; and it is perhaps not gen- erally known that our own Ash-tree, when grown in a warm climate, produces manna. Our artist having made the annexed figure, as that of Silene speciosa, from plants handed to him as the produce of seeds so named, its identification was inadvertently omitted till the engraving was completed ; it is evidently but a variety of Vis- caria oculata. In charity we may hope these mis- nomers partake more of ignorance than design. I I HEMEROCAL'LTS RUTI'LA. BRIGHT DAY LILY. Class. HEXANDUIA. Order. MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. LILIACE.E. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Introduced China ? 2 feet. June. Perennial in 1844 ? No. 1141. The generic name, Hemerocallis, is derived from the Greek hemera, day ; and kallos, beauty ; im- plying that this flower is the beauty of a day only, which is correctly applicable to some of the species. The Funkia ovata, which has been published un- der No. 596, was formerly included in this genus, and called Hemerocallis cserulea ; in most gardens, the error has, however, been generally corrected. One of the plants of importance, most closely allied to Hemerocallis, may be noticed, as unlikely to have come under the observation of the majority of our readers ; we allude to the Pliormium tenax, or New Zealand Flax, a plant of magnificent out- line, in some degree resembling the Yucca gloriosa, and bearing the usual winters of the mild portion of England. From its leaves a fibre is prepared, which has proved to be stronger than Baltic hemp, and more valuable for the cordage of shipping. The handsome Hemerocallis rutila, now figured, has flowers of deeper colour than the better-known Day-lily (Hemerocallis flava) ; they also assume a more erect position. It is a showy and desirable plant for the borders. 286 SILE'NE SAXIF'RAGA. SAXIFRAGE CATCHFLY. Class. DECANDRIA. Natural Order. silenacea:. Order. TRIGKNIA. Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Introduced France. 9 inches. June. Perennial. in 1640. No. 1142. Silene, see No. 1140. Saxifraga is retained as a specific name to this plant on account of its having, by old botanists, been arranged with Saxifrages. This is a small but pretty plant, that has been re-imported from the continent, and attracted the notice of cultivators of alpine plants. Although not in reality an inhabitant of alpine districts, it suc- ceeds admirably under the treatment usually be- stowed on that class of plants, that is, pot culture ; and it is no insignificant amount of pleasure that arises to the cultivator, when he witnesses these nurslings thrive under his immediate care. Each, in its respective portable habitation, becomes, as it were, companionable ; its increased necessities give it a constant claim on our attention, which adds to the interest we take in its welfare. It is, we believe, an accepted truth, that the child intrusted to a foster-mother can never be so closely bound up in the affections of its natural parent, as if, from its birth, that parent had supplied its every infant want; and that, through the stages of its earliest dawn of reason, each had been bound to each in the same vibrating cords of sensation ; so with plants, it surely is, that for their owner to partake of the real enjoyment to be gathered from them, they should he propagated, — we had almost said created, nursed, their wants administered to, and their drooping heads revived from the crystal fountain’s refreshing cordial, by his own hand; they then become to him as the smiling children of an indulgent parent, and afford the gratification intended by Him who gave them for our pleasure. The collections of small plants, cultivated in pots, and usually called alpine plants, contain very many which, like the Silene saxifraga, are in reality not alpine, but the inhabitants of marshy places, damp rocks, or shady woods, w hich cannot bear con- stant exposure to our summer sun, in a dry par- terre. The minute fibrous roots of many of these are few in number, or running near the surface of the ground, are unable to absorb sufficient moisture to supjrly the demand of the leaves, whilst evapo- ration of their fluids is rapid, from exposure to heat. The really alpine plant, too, requires that other peculiarities of its economy be attended to ; for, although the inhabitant of a rigorous climate, it has, in its native spot, the protection of a snowy . covering in winter, which shields it from all sud- den alternations of temperature, till its brief alpine summer bursts on it abruptly, and forces it on rapid- ly to luxuriance and maturity. These plants re- quire protection from the alternating of our frosty nights and sunny days. An equalization of the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere about his plants, should be the aim of the cultivator of alpine subjects. CER'ASUS CHAMAECER'ASUS. GROUND CHERRY TREE. Class. Order. ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA. Natural Order. DRUPACE.E. Native of Height. Flowers in Habit. Cultivated Austria. 6 feet. May. Shrub. in 1579. No. 1143. Cerasus, an ancient Asiatic town, near to which Cherry Trees are indigenous. See No. 1080. Independently of the Cerasus vulgaris, or com- mon Cherry, several distinct species bear an edible fruit; which with due cultivation, through a series of generations of these trees, may, it is probable, be productive of fruit of distinct qualities, and pos- sibly surpassing that which is now so much prized. It is not, perhaps, generally known, that the com- mon and the Portugal Laurel, are so nearly related to the Cherry, as to belong to the same genus. An examination of their fructification will show this. A marked difference between the inflorescence of the Cerasus chamsecerasus, here figured, and the Cerasus vulgaris, or common Cherry, will be ob- served ; the habit of the plant is also very different. Grown on its own roots, it is but a low bush ; hut grafted on standards, it forms a round head, which with its drooping branches, becomes very ornamen- tal, and has a novel effect. Its fruit is small, and very acid, but as previously suggested, a hybrid fruit between this and vulgaris, may prove an acceptable novelty. ARME'RIA CEPHALO'TES. LARGE-HEADED THRIFT. Class. Order. PENTANDRIA. PENTAGYNIA. Natural Order. PLUMB AG IN ACE Native of Height. Flowers in Duration. Introduced Portugal. 2 feet. April. Perennial. in 1775. No. 1144. Armeria is a name used by our old writers, and by some of them applied, as at present, to the com- mon Thrift of our sea coast ; but its meaning is by no means apjmrent. This plant, which we met with in the Birming- ham Horticultural Society’s Garden, under the name of Statice pseudo-armeria, has lately been re-introduced, and its large globular heads of rose- coloured flowers greatly admired. Miller calls it a Statice, and mentions it as having been culti- vated in English gardens in his time, but was destroyed by the severe frost of 1740. Professor Martyn states that it was again brought to England by Jacquin, in 1775. It would appear to have been again lost to our collections, and was then sent from France, in 1843, under different names, as a newly-discovered subject. This Armeria, for its old name should be dis- continued, has a handsome appearance in the bor- ders, and some of its flowers vary considerably in colour, being darker than our representation of it. It will bear mild winters out of doors, but a single plant should have protection. Cuphioft |>lat;»oonira . Ntvrica »>aJc iyuoojum jJulchHhjm (