FLOWERS.

THE lists of flowers recommended by most authors, are much too extensive for general purposes. I have made choice of the list recommended by Mr Neill, (Ed. Ency. vol. x. part 2, on Horticulture) as the foundation, and from this I have taken some, and added more. It includes the most showy and conspicuous varieties known. 1. FLORISTS' FLOWERS.

These flowers are in a peculiar manner distinguished by the title of Florists' flowers. They are cultivated in beds by themselves: the principal are these, 1. the Tulip; 2. the Ranunculus; 3. the Anemone; 4. the Iris; 5. the Dahlia; 6. the Pink; 7. the Carnation; 8. Polyanthus; 9. Auricula; 10. Hyacinth; 11. PolyanthusNarcissus, and 12. the Crocus.

2. PERENNIALS.

Tall growing showy flowers, to intermix in the shrubbery border.

For the shrubbery border, the following are recommended as the most suitable tall growing herbaceous plants: 1. Hollyhock, Althea rosea, of different colors, September till hard frosts; 2. Goat's Beard Spirea, S. aruncus; 3. Foxglove, Digitalis, Biennial; 4. Monkshood, with blue and yellow flowers, Aconitum; 5. Larkspur, Delphinium grandiflorum and exaltatum, and D. sinensis; 6. Columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris; 7. Iris, of the large species, Germanica, sambucina, and siberica; 8. Willow herb, Epilobium angustifolium; 9. Double Feverfew, Pyrethrum parthenium, are showy in flower; 10. Tall species of Asters, A. puniceus, multiflora and linarifolia, with blue and white flowers; 11. Tall species of Solidago; 12. Perennial Sunflowers, particularly Helianthus decapetelus and H. multiflorus; to these may be added, 13. Rudbeckia laciniata; 14. I add to this list the Tiger Lily, Lilium tigridum. Besides tall plants, some of humbler growth may be added, as patches of 15. Sweet Woodruff, Asperula odorata, and patches of 16. Double Wood Anemone, Anemone nemorosa, and 17. the Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis ; there is a double red flowered variety of this: also the Yucca fila

mentosa.

BORDER FLOWERS.

The borders for perennial flowers are seldom less than four or five feet in breadth. One of the most ornamental tall growing perennials is 1. Double Scarlet Lychnis, Lychnis chalcedonica, fl. pl.; 2. Hyssop leaved Dragon's head, Dracocephalum ruyschiana, and the Great Flowered, D. grandiflorum, with elegant blue flowers, and D. denticulatum; 3. Silver-rod, or Branched Asphodel, Asphodelus ramosus, with fine white flowers; 4. Verbascum ferrugineum, Rusty Flowered, and V. phæniceum, or Purple Flowered, may be admitted; together with 5. the Fine Branched Lythrum, L. virgatum, which is covered, for three months with purple flowers; 6. two or three species of Centaurea, such as C. orientalis, with yellow flowers, and C. Caucasica, with white flowers, and C. montana, with blue flowers; all hardy perennials; 7. Double Siberian Larkspur, Delphinium

elatum, flowers fine dark azure, and D. sinensis, elegant deep blue; 8. Phlox pyramidalis and P. paniculata, P. suaveolus, P. Shepardi, and P. tardiflora, are handsome, showy flowers; 9. Linear Leaved Willow herb, Epilobium angustissimum, and spicatum, foliage fine, and flowers large, of a beautiful purplish red; 10. Coreopsis verticellata and C. lanceolata, flowers fine deep yellow; 11. Of the species of Speedwell, these are elegant, Veronica virginiana, flowers blush colored, and with white flowers; and V. longifolia, flowers blue, white, or flesh colored; 12. Variegated Wolfsbane, Aconitum variegatum; 13. Rudbeckia purpurea, with large flowers; 14. Liatris spicata deserves a place in every collection; 15. Acanthus mollis; 16. Of the fine genus Spirea, the Queen of the Meadow, S. ulmaria, and Dropwort, or S. filipendula; 17. Of Campanula, or Bell Flower, a hundred species have been named; there are several showy perennials, as Peach leaved, C. persicifolia, with single blue, and single white, and with double flowers; Nettle leaved Bell Flower, C. trachelium; Pyramidal, or C. pyramidalis, highly prized. Light Loosestrife, Lysimachus erecta, with showy yellow flowers, may be added. The Dahlia is a noble plant, a native of Mexico. A plant but lately known amongst us, rising from three to ten feet in height. It flowers profusely in autumn, after the hardy roses are past, and continues in flower till hard frosts commence. flowers are magnificent; they are of a great variety of shades, and surpass those of the rose and camellia in size and splendor, although they fall short in fragrance. Its roots are large, oblong tubers. ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF MIDDLING SIZE.

The

1. Of the species of Achillea; Sweet Maudlin, A. ageratum, Sneezewort, A. ptarmica, with double flowers; 2. Spring Adonis, A. vernalis, with_large_yellow flowers, in April; 3. An elegant double variety of Rose Campion, Agrostemma coronaria; 4. Perennial flax, Linum perenne; 5. Round headed Rampion, Phyteuma orbicularis; 6. Sweet William, Dianthus barbatus; 7. Of the species of Eryngium, E. alpinum and E. amethystinum are very ornamental. Also, the Statice or Thrift, in particular, S. latifolia, scoparia, tartarica and speciosa; 8. Fraxinella, or Dictamnus albus, is both beautiful and curious; by approaching a candle to the flower, in a warm, dry and clear night in June, a slight explosion takes place, from the inflammable gas it exhales; 9. Cardinal Flower, Lobelia cardinalis, a very elegant scarlet flowering plant, but is in a great measure now supplanted by the L. fulgens, of still greater brilliancy; there is also L. splendens and L. speciosa; 10. Catananche cærulea, flowers of a fine blue; Canadian Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, highly ornamental; Garden Wall Flower, Cheiranthus cheiri, when double and of a dark color, is much prized; 13. The Red and Scarlet Chelone, C. obliqua and barbata, very late and pretty; C. major, fine peach colored flowers, the most showy of the genus; 14. German Godilocks, Chrysocoma linosyris, with bright yellow flowers in the form of an umbel; 15. Tritoma media, produces its beautiful spikes of orange flowers in autumn; 16. Two species of Monarda; the Oswego Tea, or M. didyma, with scarlet flowers, and M. fistulosa, with purple flowers; 17. The Perennial Lupin, Lupin perennis, but a more showy plant is the L. nootkatensis, and L. polyphyllus; 18. Of the Perennial Poppies, the Oriental, Papaver orientalis, with large,

bright orange flowers; and the Welch, P. cambricum, with flowers of a deep yellow; 19. Red Valerian, Valeriana rubra, highly ornamental when of a dark color; there is a white variety, which forms a fine contrast; 20. Several kinds of Peony are magnificent border plants, as the Double Dark Red, and Double Blush, varieties of P. officinalis; and the White Flowered, P. albiflora, and P. whitleji, P. fragrans, and P. humei, and P. roseo; 21. Smooth Leaved Bell flower, Campanula nitida, very ornamental, and completely covered with blue flowers. There is a double variety of this, but it is very rare. Of the numerous genus of Asters, with fine blue flowers, the Italian Starwort, A. amellus, the Alpine, A. alpinus, and the A. spectabilis; Ragged Robin, Lychnis flos cuculi, beautiful when double; 23. The varieties of L. dioicia, with double red and double white flowers are very showy; sometimes called Bachelor's Button; 24. The Plantain Leaved Crowfoot, Ranunculus amplexicaulis, pure white flowers, in April or May; 24. Garden Rocket, Hesperis matronalis, double white and double purple; these are excellent border flowers, being at once both showy and fragrant; 25. Virginia Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginica, with fine blue flowers, and with red, and white flowers, blooming from spring to autumn; 26. Asiatic Globe Flower, Trollius asiaticus, its rich orange colored flowers are very brilliant; T. europæus, flowers fine yellow and handsome; 27. American Cowslip, Dodecatheon meadia, very elegant flowers, in May and June. The varieties of the Chinese Chrysanthemums, of almost every color, are particularly elegant. I must not omit the Day Lily, Hemerocallis japonica, with fine white flowers, H. flava, elegant yellow, H. cerulea, with elegant blue flowers and large shining leaves. Asclepias tuberosa; also, Iris palida, is elegant; and Gladiolus maximus, with fine dark red flowers, and G. natalensis, with superb red and yellow flowers.

LOW GROWING FLOWERS, FOR THE FRONT OF THE Border.

1. Double Purple Jacobea, Senecio elegans; strictly speaking, this is only an annual, but double varieties may be continued by cuttings; 2. Several varieties of Phlox are very ornamental, particularly the common Lychnidea, P. suaveolens; the early flowering, P. divaricata; awl leaved, or P. subulata; and the fine leaved, or P. setacea, with P. ovata, and P. stolonifera, or creeping; 3. The great flowered Siberian Fumitory, Fumaria nobilis, is very handsome, and continues long in flower; F. formosa, with delicate blush colored blossoms; and the Yellow species, F. lutea, is valuable; 4. Common Bloody Crane's bill, Geranium sanguineum, is not unworthy of a place; and the striped variety, G. lancastriense, and the streaked Crane's bill, G. striatum; 5. The Yellow species of Monkey flower, from Chili, Mimulus luteus, is an acquisition, and very pretty; and 6. Different species of Enothera, though of humble growth, produce fine yellow flowers, particularly E. frazeriana, E. fruticosa, and E. pumila; 7. Marsh Marigold, Calthra palustris, is likewise very showy, and for several weeks makes a brilliant appearance, but prefers a moist border. Feather grass, Stipa pinnata, is justly admired for its light, airy and delicate appearance; 8. Violets of different kinds are well known, the Canadian, Viola canadensis, is particularly elegant, and the Sweet or March Violet, V. odorota, but the large flowered variety is beautiful; 9. The Anemones, with

blue flowers, as the splendid Pasque flower, A. pulsatilla, and different varieties of the Star Anemone, A. hortensis, and A. apennina, and A. pratensis; 10. The Gentians are also fine border plants, particularly the Gentiana asclepiadea, and G. eruciata, both with blue flowers. Orchis fimbriati and O. grandiflora are fine.

2. BIENNIALS.

Some of the most common are, 1. Honesty, or Satin Flower Lunaria annua, both white and purple; 2. French Honeysuckle, Hedysarum coronarium, red and white; 3. Yellow Horned Poppy, Glaucium luteum; 4. Tree Primrose of several species, Enothera biennis, &c. and Moth-mullein, Verbascum blattaria, yellow and white flowered.

FLOWERS FOR ROCK WORK.

Masses covered with Lichens, especially, 1. Lichen atro-flavus, geographicus, ventosus, perellus, and stellaris, are very desirable. The following are very proper and ornamental; 2. Cotyledon umbilicus, and all plants which grow naturally in dry soil are fit for rock work; 3. Dianthus deltoides, D, armeria and D. casins; 4. The Red Valerian, Valeriana_rubra, and the white variety; 5. Erinus alpinus; 6. Madwort of different species, particularly, Alyssum saxatile and deltoideum; 7. Cerastium repens; 8. Erigeron alpinum; 9. Cyclamen europæum and herderafolium; 10. Spring Gentian, Gentiana verna; 11. Soldanella alpina; 12. Saxifraga oppositifolia and S. granulata, f. pl.; 13. Verbascum myconi; 14. Lychnis alpina; 15. Primula nivalis, P. integrifolia, P. helvetica, and P. marginata; 15. Basil leaved Soapwort, Saponaria ocymoides; 16. Stone crop, in particular, Sedum album, glaucum, rupestre, aizoon, and sexangulaire; 17. The Cob-web species of House-leek, Sempervirum arachnoideum.

Aquarium.

In the pond may be placed various marsh plants, as 1. Marsh Calla, Calla palustris; 2. Yellow and white fringed Bog Bean, Menyanthes nymphoides; 3. The Flowering Rush, Butomus umbellatus; 4. Water-Violet, Hottonia palustris ; 5. The Cat's Tail, Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia, has a singular appearance. Lastly, some of our own native aquatics, may be recommended for their beauty and fragrance. The Nymphæ, and in particular, the White and Yellow water Lily, N. alba and N. lutea. The White rivals the rose in beauty and fragrance. Also, though rather tender for our climate, the Chinese Nymphæ melumbium.

3. ANNUALS.

1. The Indian Pink, Dianthus chinensis; 2. The Winged Thunbergia, T. alata; and 3. The Sensitive Plant, Mimosa sensitiva, though strictly speaking, biennials, are often cultivated as annuals. Many of the annuals are very beautiful; those of each species only which are the most showy, will be particularized. 4. Elegant Coreopsis, C. tinctoria, this is very showy; 5. Beautiful Clarkea, C. pulchella; 6. White and Purple Candy Tuft, Iberis umbellata 7. Daisy leaved Catch-fly, red and white Silene bellidafolia; 8. Venus's Looking Glass, Campanula speculum; 9. Sweet Alyssum, A. maritutum are very ornamental; 10. Convolvulus, major and minor; 11. African Marigold, Tagetes erecta, and French do. T.

patula; 12. Love in a Mist, Nigella damascena; 13. Variety of Scabius, Scabiosa; 14. Ten weeks Stock Gilliflower, Cheiranthus annuus; 15. The rich and elegant Double Balsams, Impatiens balsamina, their capsules are curious; 16. Hibiscus trionum, with yellow flowers; 17. Many varieties of Larkspur, Delphinium ajacis, single and double; 18. Varieties of Lupin, Lupinus, and of 19. Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus; 20. Scarlet Malope, M. trifida; 21. Carnation Poppy, varieties, Papaver somniferum, are very showy; 22. Purple Eyed Crepis, C. barbata; 23. Tangiers Scorzonera, S. tingitanum; 24. The Eternal flower, varieties, red, white, purple and blue, Xeranthemum, is excelled by none, its splendid flowers retain their beauty through the winter, and make a fine appearance in vases; 25. Mignonette, Reseda odorata, is universally admired. The following are less hardy, and should be sown in a warm situation and transplanted, to bring them forward early. 26. Amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus, or Love lies bleeding, and 27. Prince's Feather, A. hypochondriacus; and 28. The Chrysanthemums, particularly C. tricolor, and C. lutea. The following are tender annuals, and may be planted early in a hot bed, and transplanted. Crimson Cypress Vine, Ipomea quamoclit; 29. Many varieties of Cock's-Comb Celosia cristata, with scarlet, purple, and yellow heads, are extremely ornamental; 30. Globe Amaranthus, Gomphrena globosa, of various sorts, with the Amaranthus tricolor, with each leaf of three colors, bright red, yellow and green, are very showy; 31. The Egg plant is showy on account of its elegant berry, of the size and shape of a large egg; 32. The Ice plant is curious, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, its leaves and stalks being covered with crystalline globules like icicles; 33. And the well known Sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica.

CULTIVATION.

The seeds of flowers are sown in the spring, in fine and newly prepared fresh soil. Very fine seeds should be covered but a quarter of an inch deep, larger seeds deeper in proportion to their size; and the ground is then to be immediately trodden hard; this enables it to retain its moisture at the surface, which coöperating with the warmth of the sun on the seeds, they vegetate at once.