AJSTNUALS, AND THEIR CULTIVATION. 



ANNUALS, AND TEEIR CULTIVATION* 



Calandrinia. — The ornamental species belonging to the genus Calandrinia are 

 mostly natives of South America, and like the Mignonette are shruLLy plants there, 

 though with us, and also in Europe, they are treated as annuals. The name Calan- 

 drinia was given to this 

 genus in honor of L. Calan- 

 DRiNi, an Italian botanist. 

 Few flowers have a more 

 striking effect than the little 

 Calandrinia sjyeciosa, (of 

 which the accompanying 

 engraving is a very good 

 representation,) with its 

 brilliant dark crimson flow- 

 ers peeping out from its 

 thick and beautiful bed of 

 leaves. The flowers open 

 in the morning, and present 

 as rich a mass of foliage and 

 flowers as can be desired ; 

 but by three o'clock in the 

 afternoon every little flower 

 is closed. With the excep- 

 tion of the early closing of 

 the petals, this species de- 

 serves to be generally culti- 

 vated, as nothing can exceed 

 the rich velvety look of the 

 flowers. It is quite hardy, 

 a true annual, and ripens its 

 seeds in great abundance. 

 It is a native of Northern 

 California, whence its seeds 

 were sent to England in 1832, by Douglas. It should be sown in dry and exposed 

 situations, where it can have abundance of light and heat ; as the situation in which 

 Douglas found it was a hot, dry bank. It requires very little water, and flourishes 

 best in weather when most other plants are burnt up. It is well adapted for rock- 

 work. It may be sown two or three times during the season, and at any time from 

 April to July. 



The Maloi'e graxdiflora, or large-flowered Malope, a correct drawing of which 

 give, taken from our growth of last season, is really one of the most showy annuals 



* Continued from April number. 



CALANDRINIA SrECIOSA. 



