112 THE FLORIST. 



BRITISH PLANTS. No. III. 



Permit me to add a few more remarks on what are termed wild 

 plants ; and in doing this I will commence with 



Campanula glomerata, a symmetrical blue flower, which appears 

 in some of our dry pastures during a portion of the summer : it is 

 common in this district. This plant sometimes, though rarely, pro- 

 duces white flowers. Planted in gardens in bleak situations, the 

 stem is less elongated, and the flowers more diminutive ; but it will 

 always flourish regardless of the kind of soil it is placed in. It is 

 difiicult to assign a reason for the almost non- cultivation of a plant 

 like this, so well suited as it is for borders, and possessing at the 

 same time a corolla so universally admired. 



Campanula Trachelium is a scarce plant here, being to be met 

 with, I believe, only in one particular situation. It is sometimes 

 admitted into gardens among herbaceous things, and for all the pur- 

 poses of the cultivator it is certainly in no way an objectionable 

 plant. Its flov.-ers are large, and being generally blue, they are for 

 the most part conspicuous. It may be seen growing in numerous 

 parts of England, preferring in general a loamy soil. 



Oxalis corniculata is occasionally naturalised. The flowers are a 

 handsome yellow, the stems are prostrate, rising in height only about 

 six inches. This plant is also surely entitled to more extensive cul- 

 tivation than it at present enjoys. 



Lathyrus pratensis is an almost universal plant, inhabiting the 

 greater part of our wet pastures and hedges, and when planted in 

 some corresponding situation, it is sure to thrive. Its flowers are 

 yellow, and sufliciently attractive during the summer months to render 

 it worthy of attention. 



Vicia sylvatica. A writer in the Phytologist, while speaking of 

 this graceful climber, says " it invests the bushes where it is found 

 with its festoons of the gayest verdure, and long clusters of pale and 

 azure-pencilled flowers." This plant is, however, somewhat tender, 

 and almost demands shelter. Cuttings may be struck by placing 

 them chiefly in sand and keeping them close for a certain time ; but 

 they are liable to damp off". 



Gentiana Amarella is very handsome and rather dwarf. It is an 

 inhabitant of places dry and exposed. The flowers are purple. 



Aquilega vulgaris. This has fine clusters of blue flowers, which 

 often vary to flesh and other colours. It is very frequent in certain 

 woods, and particularly in one with which I am well acquainted, 

 where the timber having been felled during the previous year, the 

 flowers presented an unusually pretty appearance. 



Berberis vulgaris is a pretty shrub, which, on account of its berries, 

 has often been highly useful. It is perfectly indigenous, being met 

 with in our hedges. Besides the fruit of this shrub being found ser- 

 viceable for many culinary purposes, it is also very ornamental. 



Englefield Green. William Whale, 



