THE 



GARDEN ©OiBE, 



Maech, 1864. 

 CULTURE OP HIBISCUS. 



IBTSCUS is one of the Greek names of the 

 — mallow, and the etymology of this genus 13 

 therefore strictly botanical, Hibiscus being an 

 '"*- important member of the great natural order 

 Malvaceae. There are upwards of 100 species 

 of this genus, and tbey ail bear such a strong 

 family likeness, that they may be readily identified, 

 3 at least as members of the genus, both by their leaves and 

 ' flowers, by persons comparatively unskilled in botany. 

 The genus is characterized by having an exterior many- 

 leaved calyx ; carpels united into a five-celled capsule ; 

 valve3 with the partition in their middle ; cells many-seeded, 

 or very rarely containing only a single seed. A large propor- 

 tion of the species are herbaceous, but a few are shrubby, and 

 are found of great value, both as useful and ornamental trees. Most 

 of the species abound in wholesome mucilage, and many are cultivated 

 for the sake of the fibre yielded by their bark, which is used in various 

 arts and manufactures. We shall treat of the culture of a few of the 

 species only, selecting those which are the most ornamental, and there- 

 fore adapted for the decoration of our plant-houses and gardens. 



Stove Species. — We begin with stove species, because these are 

 the grandest in character, aud therefore the most worthy of special 

 attention. They are mostly natives of the hottest parts of Asia, 

 America, and Africa, generally found growing in rich soils and open, 

 sunny positions, producing myriads of magnificent flowers, which are 

 usually of very short duration. The stove species may be grouped into 

 three classes, according to their respective habits of growth, as trees, 

 shrubs, or herbaceous perennials. The following are noble species 

 of the first class : — Borbunicus, native of Bourbon, yellow flowers ; 

 2Ethlopicus, native of Africa, purple flowers; Ferrugineus, native of 

 Madagascar, scarlet flowers ; Lampas, native of India, pink flowers 



VOL. VII. — NO. III. D 



