114 GARDEN FLOWERS. 



gatum (variegated-flowered) ; 3 inches ; flowers purple, in Sep- 

 tember ; Greece; 1629. 



CoLEUS. [Labiatae,] A genus of which some species are 

 used for summer bedding as foliaged plants. The species 

 are properly stove shrubs, but do well in a sunny exposure. 

 More commonly known as Plectranthus. Propagated by 

 cuttings. 



C. Verschafeldtiij a very dark foliaged plant, and fine for 

 massing ; flowers inconspicuous ; the foliage is rich glowing 

 crimson ; Java ; 1860. C. Blumeii is of no value as a bedding 

 plant. 



Colic Root. See Aletris. 



CoLLiNSiA. [Scrophularineas.] Pretty dwarf annuals. 

 C. bicolor is a very showy plant, in clumps. The culture is 

 simple : in ordinary cases the seeds may be sown in patches 

 in the borders in May ; eight or ten plants will be sufficient 

 to form a patch. When they are to form a mass of flowers 

 they ought to be not more than three inches apart ; for this 

 it is best to sow thinly where they are to flower, and, when 

 they are up, thin the plants so that they may be from two to 

 three inches from each other. This gives the appearance 

 of a complete mass of flowers when, the spikes of bloom 

 rise. Sowing in pots should be begun in April, and eight 

 or ten plants are enough for a pot. These should be placed 

 in a greenhouse, and, as they grow, if any two should be 

 too close together, remove one. Where patches of this 

 flower are to be at certain distances round borders, the balls 

 may be turned out from the pots as soon as the weather 

 becomes w^arm. If this cannot be done, they must be sown 

 on a reserve bed, and transplanted when large enough, or 

 else raised and kept in pots till they are wanted ; for either 

 of which purposes they should be sown in April on a very 

 gentle hot-bed. C. gratidifloi'a is a dwarfish variety, equally 



