OUR JUNE FLO WEES. 10" 



When first expanded the colour is of considerable depth, but loses something of 

 this by a full exposure to bright sunshine ; the plant should therefore be cultivated 

 in a partially shaded border. The didynamous stamens and four-lobed ovary, being 

 peculiar to nearly all the Lipworts, call for no especial notice. Its flowering 

 season occurs in June, and continues two or three weeks. 



It prefers a rich free loam, and is readily increased by division in April, just as 

 it commences its growth. It may also be multiplied by seeds, which are always 

 ripened if the plant does not suffer too much from drought after flowering ; they 

 should be sown on a gentle heat in spring, and the plants afterwards turned into 

 the borders where they are intended to remain. When in flower, the stems require 

 a slight support, as the numerous blossoms often cause the plant to droop so much 

 that they are partially concealed by the foliage. As it dies down to the ground in 

 autumn, a label should be placed near the root, that it may receive no injury when 

 the borders are dug. 



We have given this plant under the name it was received by us, and by which it 

 is known in the trade, but it differs so little from the common Melittis Melisso- 

 phyllum, that it certainly does not merit a distinct name, the wild specimeas of 

 that plant varying considerably in the breadth of the leaves, and the tint of the 

 flowers. There is one variety to be had with variegated foliage. 



Melittis is derived from melissa, a bee, in allusion to the flowers being frequented 

 by that insect. 



OUR JUNE FLOWERS. 



There is, perhaps, no other period of the year in which a garden of mixed hardy perennials present 

 t,o favourable a contrast with those arranged on the more fashionable bedding system as in ' the leafy 

 month of June.' Later in the year, we will not deny that the effect produced by the half-hardy 

 bedders is often more striking, though not more interesting, than that displayed by a good mixt 

 border, but early in the season it is often extremely meagre, especially when, as sometimes happens 

 in unfavourable springs, the plants arc not turned out until the end of Mav. 



An enumeration of all the plants flowering in June would occupy far more space than our limits 

 will permit, and also include many of doubtful value, but a reference to a few of the most desirable 

 of those which have come under our notice, and which are proved to be hardy, may not be without 

 interest for our readers. The past winter has left unmistakeable traces of its severity in the vacant 

 places which arc here and there perceptible, and deprived us of some long cherished favourites ; but 

 those who will accompany us in a stroll around our floral domain will find, we think, an ample 

 harvest. 



And with what more truly ornamental plant can we commence our sketch than with the lovely 

 Glycine sinensis which droops so elegantly over the entrance to our ' retreat' ? Its purple tresses hang 

 so thickly as almost to conceal the leaves and stem, although it is but a comparatively young 



