[ 129 1 



DELPHINIUM HENDERSONII. 



Hendersons Larkspur. 

 LinneanClas* -Poltandria. Onfcr- Tbmwia. Natural Order -U^vscvl.^u. 



If a stately habit, and magnificent flowers of the deepest blue, are to be regarded 

 as recommendations to notice, then is the Delphinium Remlersonii entitled to a 

 prominent place in our list of choice subjects. It possesses, in a high degree, those 

 characteristics for which the perennial Larkspurs are so deservedly esteemed. As 

 one of the chief points by which it is distinguished from most other varieties is 

 the large size of the flowers, we have preferred to give one or two detached 

 blossom!, of nearly the natural size (about two-thirds), rather than a reduced figure 

 of the entire spike, which must, necessarily, have failed to convey a correct idea of 

 their great beauty. The dark green glossy foliage, cut into acute segments, is 

 strikingly handsome, as is that of most of the Delphiniums. In common with the 

 other members of this showy genus, it delights in a rich light soil, in which it 

 grows from four to five feet high, and is, as might be supposed, perfectly hardy. It 

 is a hybrid between B. cheihuithum, and B. elatum splendens, and was raised by 

 M. Chauviere of Paris, of whom Messrs. Henderson of the Wellington Nursery 

 purchased the entire stock. 



The size of the flowers is very remarkable ; but it is, we think, fully within the 

 range of probability that varieties will, ere long, be raised with yet larger blossoms. 

 By a very simple process, all our perennials, and, indeed, every description of plant 

 might be greatly improved. 



Everybody has heard of the method by which the late eminent Horticulturist, 

 Mr. Knight, originated many of the superior varieties of the Garden Tea, and other 

 vegetables. He selected the largest of the produce, and reared from them several 

 successive generations of plants, employing the finest of each crop as seed for the 

 succeeding one. By these means he ultimately obtained Peas nearly double the 

 size of the original variety. Now there can be no doubt whatever that the same 

 plan may be adopted, with success, in the case of such plants as the Delphiniums, 

 though it is equally applicable to annuals, bulbs, shrubs, and perennials of every 



class. 



It must have been remarked by all observant Horticulturists, that the first few 

 blossoms which expand on any plant, are considerably the largest; and that even 

 when the flowers are removed as soon as faded, the succeeding ones do not equal 

 them in size. In such plants as the Potmtilla, Enothera xpeciosa, and many others, 



