CHAPTER XIV. 
eee 
VERBENAS. 
ANHE original forms of the Verbenas were introduced 
<s from Buenos Ayres in 1827, and some from Brazil, 
and all our fine varieties of to-day originated from these 
primitive sorts. They rank now among our most popu- 
lar flowering plants for the Summer ornamentation of 
our gardens, and have become so popular and so well 
known that little need be said about them. Within the 
past few years a mammoth strain has been in cultivation 
that thus far outranks all existing varieties in their large 
blooms and exquisite coloring. There aremore Verbenas 
grown and propagated we believe than any other one 
plant in America to-day, and are the most economical 
to buy if expense is a consideration, as a dozen plants 
that may be bought for fifty cents will make a handsome 
bed if planted together, and give a quantity of bloom all 
the Summer long. More than that, as the seed matures 
it falls to the ground and young plants will come up in 
the same bed next season. It is always best to plant 
Verbenas in a bed for themselves, as they do not mix 
well with other plants on account of their trailing habit. 
Verbenas are easily grown from seed, which should be 
sown in a hot bed or the greenhouse in early Spring, and 
at once pricked out before planting in the flower bed. 
Plants from seed will be more vigorous than from cut- 
tings; but when special colors are wanted, seedlings 
cannot be depended upon. At the low price the plants 
are now sold in the markets, it is cheaper to buy them 
than to grow them from seed; but when the amateur is 
