9b OENOTHERA SPECJOS.V. 



developed early in the morning, and remain open during the day, ultimately 

 assuming as they fade a rosy-purple tint. They are among the largest of the 

 genus, a diameter of from two to three inches being no uncommon size, especially 

 on strong shoots. The petals are reversely heart-shaped, with a crenulate 

 margin, and strongly marked with numerous transparent branching veins. Its 

 flowering season commences about the end of June, and generally extends through 

 the two following months. 



With us the plant does not ripen seed, owing, no doubt, to the dryness of the soil ; 

 but as seeds are always to be had of the Seedsman, this is evidently a question of 

 locality only. It may easily be raised from seeds when obtained, and the young 

 plants will generally flower the first season. "Were none ever perfected, it would, 

 however, be a matter of but little moment, for in the numerous suckers thrown up 

 around the plant, there is abundant provision for its increase. These are sure to 

 make their appearance in autumn, but are best left undisturbed until spring, when 

 the whole colony, as well as the old plant, should be dug up, the strongest shoots 

 only being replanted ; the smaller suckers would, however, make good plants if 

 allowed a place for one season in a reserve bed. It may also be increased by 

 cuttings under a hand light in a shady border ; but this method of propagating it 

 need only be resorted to when a large number of plants is required. 



The CE. speciosa will grow in any free soil, and does not refuse to yield its 

 flowers even in very sandy loams ; it is, however, as already hinted, most 

 luxuriant in peat, or a mixture of peat and light loam. In cold heavy soils it does 

 not succeed well, unless a portion of peat or leaf-mould is well incorporated with 

 the soil at the time of planting. 



This species is, we believe, a native of Louisiana, and was first introduced into 

 England about the year 1820, but is still much less commonly grown than some 

 otbers of the genus. 



The chief botanical features of the GEnotheras were noticed under the head of 

 CE. prostrata, to which we beg to refer our readers. We also there briefly adverted 

 to the species taraxicifolia, ccespitosa, and macrocarpa, which with speciosa are 

 among the most ornamental of the genus, and when but a small selection is desired, 

 these four, with the dwarfer prostrata, or riparia, as it is more generally termed, 

 may be recommended in preference to any others. There are, however, many 

 other interesting species, of which our space will permit us to notice a few. 



The CE. Drummondii, from Texas, although but half-hardy, deserves to be 

 classed with these. It is of erect habit, and grows from twelve to eighteen inches 

 high ; the leaves are oblong, fleshy, sinuate, and finely toothed, and clothed with 

 soft down ; it produces through the summer numerous large yellow flowers. 

 Cuttings root readily, and if struck in a pot can remain undisturbed until the 

 following spring. Where it is inconvenient to preserve them from frost in 



