THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 193 



VAEIETIES OF PEIMULA COETUSOIDES. 



{Illustrated with a Coloured Plate.) 



»HE two beautiful primulas represented in the accompany- 

 ing plate are the most attractive of a very interesting 

 group. The type of the group, P. cortusoides, is an old 

 favourite in the few gardens wherein hardy herbaceous 

 plants are properly cared for ; but the varieties to which 

 we now more particularly direct attention are of quite recent intro- 

 duction, and are as yet comparatively little known. As we intend 

 this notice to be both brief and useful, we will say as little as possible 

 in the way of criticism, and as much as possible, though in the fewest 

 possible words, on the merits of the plants and the best known 

 methods of cultivating them. The imaginative reader wdl kindly 

 invent for himself or herself all else that might be said on so attrac- 

 tive a theme. 



Eirst — Of the typical plant Primula cortusoides. It forms a tuft 

 consisting of heart-shaped bluntty-toothed leaves of a bright green 

 colour, agreeably adorned with compact umbels of purplish rose- 

 coloured flowers in the months of May and June. It is always a neat 

 plant ; when in flower it is extremely pretty, and should one meet 

 with the rare sight of a few very large clumps of it, the grandeur of 

 the plant will not be soon forgotten. 



If planted in the common border and left to take care of itself, 

 this plant is likely enough to die ; and yet, in some places, to plant 

 it anywhere and leave it alone would be the most satisfactory mode 

 of cultivating it. We have for many years enjoyed its abundant 

 dowering on a ledge of a rockery facing the north ; the soil deep and 

 gritty, and thoroughly well drained. From April to August the 

 tufts — indeed the whole of this part of the rockery — is heavily watered 

 once a week. This system suits a large proportion of the best Alpines 

 in cultivation. The north aspect is peculiarly well adapted for its 

 requirements, for, as a native of Siberia, exposure to the full sun 

 would debilitate the constitution of the plant ; in fact, the main 

 difficulty about growing Arctic and Alpine plants is that our climate 

 is too warm for them, and they perish through growing too fast. 



The varieties that are here figured represent a group of plants 

 of more robust habit than the type, and producing flowers far more 

 showy both in size and colour. The finest of the series introduced 

 was P. c. amcena, a native of Japan, which Messrs. Veitch and Son 

 obtained for our gardens in the year 1864. From the same enter- 

 prising firm there have been sent out several other varieties, all of 

 which in their leading characteristics cluster round P. c. amcena, so 

 that we must regard that variety, and not the species, as the proper 

 type of them. They are all fine plants, thoroughly hardy, yet but 

 rarely prospering in the common open border. _The best of all places 

 for them is the frame : they are, indeed, the finest frame plants we 

 possess ; for neglect will rarely kill them, and proper care will bring 

 VOL. v;-Mi. tit. 13 



