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PENTSTEMON GENTIANOIDES 

 ATROCiERULEUM. 



Gentian-like Pentstemon. Hybrid Variety. 



Limican Glass— Didyxamia. Order— Ajtgiospbbma. Natural Order— SoBOi-auLAiaAOBJS. 



We have, on several occasions, expressed the high opinion we entertain of the value 

 of the genus Pentstemon for ornamental purposes, and in our second plate we 

 figured one of the hlue-flowered species. We now return to this interesting family, 

 for the sake of introducing one of the latest hyhrids, of a somewhat different colour, 

 although nominally it is classed with those of cajrulean tint. 



It is a matter of regret, that among a certain class of Florists there is a strong 

 disposition to give a fictitious value to their productions, by attaching to them 

 high sounding titles, scarcely warranted by the circumstances of the case ; sometimes 

 a plant differing only in the smallest degree from many other kindred varieties, is 

 dubbed splendidissima, and enjoys a short-lived reputation, at the expense of that of 

 its sponsors; while in other cases, a really valuable plant is sent out with a name 

 greatly calculated to mislead the inexperienced purchaser with regard to its tint. 

 * The Pentstemon now figured is an illustration of this objectionable system of 

 nomenclature ; although termed dark blue, our readers will see that it has but 

 small claims to such distinction. It is, however, a handsome Variety of the 

 original yentianoides, and, as such, merits a place whatever this very desirable genus 

 is cultivated. It was raised at Lille by M. Pellier, between yentianoides and 

 Uartweyii, and is now in the hands of most of the principal Florists in this country. 

 It is of much dwarfer habit than the true yentianoides, and also a much freer 

 flowerer ; in this respect equalling the Uartweyii and its varieties. 



There exists considerable confusion with regard to these two species, which are 

 often confounded together under the name of yentianoides. This species is of a very 

 tall habit, frequently reaching the height of six feet, or even more, and its blossoms 

 are of a dull lilac-purple, the tube being nearly horizontal. They are numerously 

 produced, but the plant does not remain long in flower. It is singular that 

 Uartweyii and its varieties, now so common in our gardens, should ever have been 

 mistaken for the preceding ; for, although its foliage is somewhat similar, the habit 

 of the plant is very different, and also the colour and form of the flowers, which 

 are pendant, and of various shades of scarlet and purple-crimson. The whole of 



