flowers

This species, by far the most magnificent of the Iris tribe, is a native of Persia, from a chief city of which it takes the name of Surfing, Linnaeus informs us, that it was imported into Holland from Constantinople in 1573.Though an inhabitant of a much warmer climate than our own, it thrives readily in the open borders of our gardens, and, in certain favourable situations, flowers freely about the latter end of May or beginning of June. It succeeds best in a loamy soil and sunny exposure, with a pure air moisture, which favours the growth of most of the genus, is injurious and sometimes even fatal to this species.As it rarely ripens its seeds with us, it is generally propagated by parting its roots in autumn. These are also usually imported from Holland, and may be had of the importers of bulbs at a reasonable rate.Being liable to be destroyed by seasons unusually severe, it will be prudent to place a few roots of it in pots, either in the greenhouse or in a hot bed frame during the winter.It bears forcing well.

This species of Saxifrage differing so widely from the others, both in its habit and fructification, as to create a doubt in the minds of some, whether it ought not to be considered as a distinct genus, is a native of China, and one of the many plants which have been introduced into our gardens since the time of Miller.Its round variegated leaves, and strawberry like runners, the uncommon magnitude of the two lowermost pendant petals, joined to the very conspicuous glandular nectary in the centre of the flower, half surrounding the germen, render this species strikingly distinct.It is properly a greenhouse plant, in mild winters indeed it will bear the open air, especially if placed at the foot of a wall, or among rock work, but, in such situations, it is frequently killed in severe seasons.It flowers in May and June, but does not produce its blossoms so freely as some others.No difficulty attends the propagation of it, for it increases so fast by its runners, as to be even troublesome.

It appears from the Hortus Kewensis, the publication of which is daily expected, that the plant here figured was first brought to this country from the Canary Islands, by Mr. Francis Masson, in the year 1777.It is highly deserving the notice of the Botanist, not only as being by far the least species of the genus, but on account of its Nectaria, these, though not mentioned by Linnaeus in his character of the genus, have been described by other authors, particularly Jacquin and Haller, and though not present in most, and but faintly visible in a few species of Sempervivum, in this plant form a principal part of the fructification, they are usually seven in number, but vary from six to eight.In the specimens we have examined, and which perhaps have been rendered luxuriant by culture, the number of stamina has been from twelve to sixteen, of styles, from six to eight, of flowers on the same stalk, from one to eight.It flowers during most of the summer months, succeeds very well with the common treatment of a greenhouse plant in the summer, but does best in a dry stove in the winter.Is readily increased by parting its roots.

On comparing the present plant with the Bermudiana graminea flore minore c[oe]ruleo of Dillenius, both of which I have growing, and now in pots before me, the difference appears so striking, that I am induced with him and Miller to consider them as distinct species, especially as, on a close examination, there appear characters sufficient to justify me in the opinion, which characters are not altered by culture.It is a native of the Bermudian Islands, and flowers in the open border from May to the end of July, it is not uncommon to keep it in the greenhouse, for which, from its size &c. it is very well adapted, but it is not necessary to treat it tenderly, as it will bear a greater degree of cold than many plants usually considered as hardy.It may be propagated most readily by seeds, or by parting its roots in the autumn, should be planted on a border with an eastern aspect, soil the same as for bulbs.

This is one of the numerous tribe of Geraniums introduced from the Cape since the time of Miller it takes the name of Radula, which is the Latin term for a rasp or file, from the rough rasp like surface of the leaves.There are two varieties of it, a major and a minor, which keep pretty constantly to their characters, and as this species is readily raised from seeds, it affords also many seminal varieties.As a Botanist, desirous of seeing plants distinct in their characters, we could almost wish it were impossible to raise these foreign Geraniums from seeds, for, without pretending to any extraordinary discernment, we may venture to prophecy, that in a few years, from the multiplication of seminal varieties, springing from seeds casually, or perhaps purposely impregnated with the pollen of different sorts, such a crop will be produced as will baffle all our attempts to reduce to species, or even regular varieties.Such as are partial to this tribe, will no doubt wish to have this species in their collection, the blossoms are pretty, and the foliage is singular, but it remains but a short time in flower.It is readily propagated by cuttings.

According to Miller, this species grows naturally in Jamaica, and most of the other Islands in the West Indies, where it is called wild Sage, the flowers, which are very brilliant, are succeeded by roundish berries, which, when ripe, turn black, having a pulpy covering over a single hard seed.It is readily propagated by cuttings.Different plants vary greatly in the colour of their blossoms, and the prickliness of their stalks, the prickles are seldom found on the young shoots.This plant will bear to be placed abroad in the warmest summer months, the rest of the year it requires artificial heat. It is usually placed in the dry stove, to which, as it is seldom without flowers, it imparts great brilliancy.

The present plant is a native of Chili, and was introduced to the royal gardens at Kew, in the year 1788, by Capt. Firth, it takes the name of Fuchsia from Fuchs a German Botanist of great celebrity, author of the Historia Stirpium in folio, published in 1542, containing five hundred and sixteen figures in wood, and which, though mere outlines, express the objects they are intended to represent, infinitely better than many laboured engravings of more modern times.Every person who can boast a hot house will be anxious to possess the Fuchsia, as it is not only a plant of peculiar beauty, but produces its rich pendant blossoms through most of the summer, the petals in the centre of the flower are particularly deserving of notice, they somewhat resemble a small roll of the richest purple coloured ribband.Though this plant will not succeed well in the winter, nor be easily propagated unless in a stove, it will flower very well during the summer months, in a good greenhouse or hot bed frame, and though at present from its novelty it bears a high price, yet as it is readily propagated, both by layers, cuttings, and seeds, it will soon be within the purchase of every lover of plants.Mr. Lee, of Hammersmith, we understand first had this plant for sale.

This species of Tropaeolum (which like the majus already figured in this work, is a native of Peru) has long been an inhabitant of our gardens, it was the only species we had in the time of Parkinson, by whom it is figured and described, it appears indeed to have been a great favourite with that intelligent author, for he says this plant is of so great beauty and sweetnesse withall, that my garden of delight cannot bee unfurnished of it, and again the whole flower hath a fine small sent, very pleasing, which being placed in the middle of some Carnations or Gilloflowers (for they are in flower at the same time) make a delicate Tussimusie, as they call it, or Nosegay, both for sight and sent.As the Passiflora caerulea, from its superior beauty and hardiness, has in a great degree supplanted the incarnata, so has the Tropaeolum majus the minus, we have been informed indeed that it was entirely lost to our gardens till lately, when it was reintroduced by Dr. J. E. Smith, who by distributing it to his friends, and the Nurserymen near London, has again rendered it tolerably plentiful.Like the majus it is an annual, though by artificial heat it may be kept in a pot through the winter, as usually is the variety of it with double flowers, but as it will grow readily in the open air, in warm sheltered situations, it should be raised on a hot bed, like other tender annuals, if we wish to have it flower early in the summer, continue long in blossom, and produce perfect seeds.

Though not so beautiful as many of the genus, this species is a common inhabitant of the flower garden, in which it continues to blossom, during most of the summer.It is a native of Italy, and delights in a dry soil and situation, it will even flourish on walls, and hence will serve very well to decorate the more elevated parts of rock work.When once introduced it comes up spontaneously from seeds.

The Tangier Pea, a native of Morocco, cannot boast the agreeable scent, or variety of colours of the sweet Pea, nor does it continue so long in flower, nevertheless there is a richness in the colour of its blossoms, which entitles it to a place in the gardens of the curious, in which it is usually sown in the spring, with other hardy annuals.It flowers in June and July.The best mode of propagating it, is to, sow the seeds on the borders in patches, where the plants are to remain, thinning them when they come up, so as to leave only two or three together.