78 THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. [April, 



The foliage in t.io comaioii form i.-; sjuootb, conlata-ovato, acuminatL', and of a ratbor pale 

 green ; and clusters of flowers larger than in the other species. Amongst the many varietise 

 now included in catalogues, we may note : Dr. hlndlen^ having extremely large clusters of 

 reddish-lilac flowers ; alba, pure white ; and violace.a, nihra insignia, and rosea cirandi flora, 

 ■whose names indicate the various tinges of their flowers. S. dubia or chinensis is a closely- 

 allied species, if indeed it be specifically distinct. It is commonly called the Siberian Lilac, 

 and differs in its smaller stature, naiTower leaves, and more profuse inflorescence of reddish- 

 violet hue. The variety called roiJiomar/eitjiis, or Li/as varin of the French, belongs hei-e ; and 

 the fine variety Charles X. should probably also be referred to this race. It is remarkable 

 for the immense size of its panicles, and the beautiful colour of its flowers. 



"2. S. Josika'u. — This is a shrub of similar habit, but the ovate-lanceolate leaves are 

 wrinkled and of a darker green, and the bluish-purple flowers scentless. A native of 

 Transylvania, blooming later than the varieties of vulgaris. 



"3. S. Emodi. — A tall shrub, with warty excrescences on the stems, large oblong reticu- 

 lately veined leaves, and lilac or white flowers in erect dense panicles. A native of the 

 mountains of India, scarcely so ornamental as the common species. 



" 4. S. persicn. Persian Lilac. — This is a vei'y distinct species of much smaller size, rarely 

 exceeding 4 or 5 feet in height. The branches, too, are slender and straight, and the smaller 

 ovate-lanceolate leaves are narrowed at tlie base. The flowers vary in colour from rosy- car- 

 mine to white, and there is a variety with laciniated foliage. This blossoms in May." 



It is announced that a similar volume, relating to tender plants, will be pre- 

 pared, should the present meet with adequate encouragement. — T. M. 



PORTULACAS AS NEGLECTED FLOWERS. 



^OETULAOAS are generally known as half-hardy, or somewhat tender 

 annuals,. that is, in so far as the popularly known sorts are concerned. 

 The genus possesses, however, favourites of a tenderer kind, both tuberous- 

 rooted evergreen, and annual species, all of which need the shelter of a 

 greenhouse. It is to those of the first-named series that I would now direct 

 attention, as they are deserving of far greater attention than at present falls to 

 their lot, especially in these days, when such an amount of space is accorded to 

 plants which bloom less freely, and are not a tithe so beautiful throughout our 

 summer months. Some may urge having tried the Portulaca " again and 

 again," with unvarying ill-success, adding that they are so " miffy " and tender, 

 as to be ill adapted to our varying and inconstant clime. Now, may I ask, 

 wherein lies the cause of what I admit to be a very general want of success ? 



The plant I specially refer to, namely, Portulaca grandijlora, and its varieties 

 lutea and Thellusoni., and their sub-varieties, comprising such colours as crimson, 

 white, orange, carmine, striped, plain, and variegated, to say nothing of the 

 doubles, has been introduced into this country nearly half a centmy, during 

 which time the varieties referred to have been garden-born, and hence a certain 

 amount of acclimatisation must have taken place. Moreover, their native home 

 is Chili, with • a mean summer temperature of G0°, and where an European 

 climate exists, where the Oak and Beech thrive, and our native cereals grow and 

 succeed. Portalacas. I aver therefore, are to all intents and pui-poses to be classed 

 as hardy annuals with us in this country, and as legitimately so as any kind of 

 hardy annuals can be. It is in the nursing, coaxing, and in-door coddling of them 

 that we err. As a matter of fact, based on the mode of development of the 

 plants, when formed as seedlings, they do not like to be transplanted. To have 



