JUNE. 131 



BRITISH PLANTS. No. IV. 



Daphne Mezereum. This is a very choice native, which in mild 

 springs flowers as early as January ; but it is more frequently in per- 

 fection at the latter end of February, or about the beginning of 

 March. The pretty peach-coloured blossoms, coupled with the small 

 amount of attention that is requisite to make this shrub thrive and 

 flower, are surely sufficient to estabhsh its claim to occupy a tolerably 

 dry and protected place in every garden. To its other good qualities 

 it adds that of being powerfully odoriferous. 



Daphne laureola. On the side of Priest Hill, in this neighbour- 

 hood, this is to be found flourishing in different retired spots. 

 As to colour, it must be admitted that the flowers are somewhat 

 dull ; but the extremely early period at which they are produced in 

 some measure compensates for this drawback. Being an evergreen, 

 this species is frequently planted in shrubberies, and it thrives even 

 in unfavourable situations, as under trees and suchlike places. 



Digitalis purpurea is common enough in some places, though the 

 white variety is comparatively little known. The purple colour of 

 the former, aUvays enlivened by a diversity of shades, together with 

 the prettily spotted interior of the corolla, render this plant, during 

 a great portion of the summer season, a most attractive object. The 

 amount of seeds which one plant ripens, and the facility with which 

 these germinate in the same autumn, are circumstances aff'ording the 

 agreeable consolation that, however little regard is paid to the parent 

 plant, in the following summer a numerous progeny may be observed 

 springing up to perpetuate the beauties presented by this species 

 during the preceding year. 



Asperula odorata. This is common in England, and is occasionally 

 found growing in gardens in shady retreats. This little plant de- 

 mands more attention and more extended cultivation than it receives. 

 It is highly odoriferous, emitting a perfume not unlike that of the 

 sweet vernal grass. It is not particular as to soil, provided a shady 

 situation for it has not been entirely forgotten. 



Asperula cynanchica, or Squinancy-wort, is known to abound 

 in most chalky places. Taken up with a ball of earth, and planted 

 in the garden, it seems to have a destination sufficiently suited to it, 

 since it always thrives remarkably well. The corollas are reddish, 

 some even white, and they present a pretty appearance. 



Centaurea cyanus makes a glorious display in our corn and other 

 fields in summer, where it produces its handsome blue flowers in 

 abundance, and frequently here, as well as in other places, they 

 come white. This plant is regarded as an unwelcome intruder 

 among corn ; and certain it is that its absence, however conspicuous 

 and beautiful its flowers may be, would be far more pleasing than its 

 company. Nevertheless we cannot but urge its cultivation in some 

 consistent spot, as among herbaceous plants for instance, where it 

 forms a pretty object. 



Centaurea scabiosa is less common here than the species last 



