STOKESIA CYANEA. — BLUE STOKESIA. 5 1 



shows the full size of the specimen which we used for our illus- 

 tration ; yet in some parts of the country the plants grow to an 

 average height of two feet. We may add here that the admirers 

 of our flower need not fear that they will have to mourn its dis- 

 appearance soon, even if our guess should turn out to be a true 

 prophecy. In the light of the theory of evolution, a hundred 

 thousand years or so, do not amount to much, and " soon " is 

 altogether more likely to mean a million than ten years. 



In its natural geographical range the Siokcsia cyauca is limited 

 to a very small district, although it seems to be a hardy, vigorous 

 plant in gardens, and takes care of itself very well. Even with 

 the continued researches of local collectors, the area now known 

 to be occupied by it is not much larger than that which we find 

 recorded a hundred years ago, and this area, according to Prof. 

 Wood, is restricted to the three states of South Carolina, 

 Georgia, and Louisiana. 



Our plant has long been known to the flower-loving public of 

 Europe, having been introduced into England from South Caro- 

 lina, about 1766, by James Gordon, the celebrated London nur- 

 seryman, after whom our Gordonia was named. In regard to its 

 cultivation, Mr. Robinson writes as follows in his book called 

 " Hardy Flowers " :' " The plant does poorly in cold soils and 

 positions, but grown in pots it flowers very well in a cold house 

 or conservatory in autumn." It is remarkable to find a plant 

 which can very well bear our severe winters in our own gardens 

 spoken of in connection with a green-house in the much milder 

 winter climate of England. But Mr. Robinson is not alone in 

 his estimate of the tender character of the plant as regards 

 England, for Mr. Johnson calls it "a half-hardy evergreen, 

 requiring a little protection in winter." From a paragraph in 

 the London " Garden," it is evident that our rare and beautiful 

 wild flower is an especial favorite in England. In a recent vol- 

 ume we read : " This plant has this autumn furnished the chief 

 supply of blue flowers brought to Covent Garden market in a 

 cut state. They first made their appearance early in September, 



