166 OENOTHERA PROSTRATA. 



up numerous offsets at a distance of from six to eighteen inches from the parent 

 stem, which afford a still easier means of increase. In loose soils these offsets are 

 so deeply rooted, that some care is requisite in digging them up, and it is better to 

 let them remain undisturbed until spring. If, however, it should be necessary to 

 remove them in autumn, in order that the bed or border may be dug over, it should 

 be done early, that they may, after replanting in a clump, become well rooted 

 before the arrival of winter, or they might suffer from severe frosts. For the same 

 reason, cuttings should be struck in summer, that they may become strong plants 

 by autumn ; if not taken off till that period, the cuttings should be preserved in 

 a cold frame or window during the winter months, and planted out in spring. 

 Speciosa is of erect habit, not often exceeding eighteen inches or two feet in height ; 

 in the early part of its flowering season, the blossoms are fully three inches 

 across. 



The CE. Taraxicifolia, or Dandelion-leaved, has flowers even larger than those of 

 the preceding species, and of the same hue, but without its yellow eye. This 

 species is remarkable for the length of the tube of the calyx, which often exceeds 

 eight or ten inches, especially in the flowers at the bottom of the stems. It is very 

 readily propagated by cuttings, and from its procumbent habit, as well as for the 

 abundance of its flowers, is well adapted for bedding purposes. Being a native of 

 Chili, it is perhaps a shade less hardy than speciosa, but will only need the 

 protection of an inverted pot in the severest weather. 



The CE. ccespitosa, or tufted (Enothera, is an equally desirable, but less known 

 species, also with whitish flowers. Its habit is dwarfer and more compact than 

 than that of speciosa, and the calyx tube is much longer. Messrs Lane of 

 Berkhampstead are in possession of this species ; and also, we believe, Messrs Low 

 and Co. of the Clapton Nursery. 



Of the yellow flowered species, the finest and most remarkable is, undoubtedly, 

 the CE. macrocarpa, a plant which no garden should be without, its large blossoms 

 making it a very conspicuous object in the borders throughout the summer. 

 This species usually ripens seed, by which, as well as by cuttings, it may be 

 increased without difficulty. If the shoots are pegged down they speedily emit 

 roots at their joints, and perhaps this is the best and easiest method of propagating 

 this, and all other species of similar habit. The macrocarpa is quite hardy, and 

 will thrive in any moderately good friable soil. 



The CE. prostrata, which we have figured, if much less conspicuous than the 

 species just named, is, nevertheless, a very desirable plant, and will often be found 

 available for purposes to which the macrocarpa is, from its more robust habit, 

 totally unfitted. As an edging to a bed of the blue Salvia patens, or Scarlet 

 Geraniums, it produces an interesting effect. It is, perhaps, more easily increased 

 than any other of the perennial species, rooting at the joints of the branches, 



