MALVACE^. 83 



MALVACE^. 



In this natural order there are not many herbaceous perennials 

 of value to flower-gardeners. The perennials generally are 

 characterised by roughness and bulk, or by absolute weediness. 

 There are some pretty annual plants and handsome shrubs, 

 but with these we have nothing to do here. Some of the gross 

 perennials are well fitted, however, for naturalising in open 

 places in woods, where variety of foliage and habit may be 

 desired along Avith a little colour. Their robust habit and 

 accommodating nature adapt them well for such a purpose, as 

 little preparation will be needed for them in most cases if strong 

 tufts are planted out. 



Althaea. — This is a small genus of usually tall-growing plants, 

 very few of which are per:ennial, the majority being annuals and 

 biennials, — one of the latter, A. rosea, being the parent of the 

 varieties of Hollyhock. 



A. narbonnensis {N'ai'boniie A.) — This species grows to the 

 height of 4 or 5 feet, and has the stems clothed with five-lobed 

 leaves, very downy. The flowers are borne in panicles in the 

 axils of the leaves on the upper part of the stems ; they are 

 large, bright pink, and produced in great numbers in autumn. 

 Propagate by division. Any common soil agrees with it, and 

 it is fit only for naturalising in open spots in woods, or for 

 furnishing a little colour among shrubs. Native of many 

 countries of southern Europe. 



Cristaria coccinea. — So far as I am aware, this genus con- 

 tains only the species named; and it is very rare, if in cultiva- 

 tion at all, in this country. It is a very pretty plant, with 

 stems 6 to 9 inches in length and bluish-green leaves, smooth, 

 and much divided into deeply- cut lance -shaped segments, 

 which are again cut or lobed. The flowers are numerous in 

 the axils of the leaves on the upper part of the stems on short 

 stalks. They are bright scarlet, and the lobes of the corolla 

 obcordate, and appear late in summer. In the north it should 

 be planted in peat in a sunny position on rockwork, in the 

 south it will succeed in any tolerably warm border in peat. 

 Propagate by division and seeds, both in spring, the latter in a 

 cold frame, when they will flower the first year. Native of the 

 Southern States of America. 



Kitaibelia vitifolia. — I am not aware of there being any 

 other species of this genus. It is a large-growing plant, reach- 

 ing the height of 4 or 5 feet, the stems clothed with abundance 



