126 A JULY BOTTQTTET. 



with broad lyrate leaves, and rather large purple violet flowers, with a white throat ; the indigenous 

 S. pratensis of a similar colour, but much narrower leaves ; the S. nemorosa, and the very pretty 

 S. hians, of both of which we have spoken at page 118. The Stachys coccinea, notwithstanding its 

 somewhat weedy appearance and unpleasant odour, is worth cultivation in light rich loam, in which 

 its flowers are of a brighter scarlet than in poor, dry soil, where, however, it is safer in winter, as it 

 sometimes perishes from the combined effects of cold and wet. With us it generally sows itself 

 each season. 



The Gentiana asclepiadea, an erect growing plant about one foot high, is a July bloomer, and its 

 dark blue flowers are very pretty ; the white variety of this species is also worth cultivating. The 

 yellow Gentian is much taller, and planted at the back of a partially shaded border, iu a mixture of 

 peat and loam, makes an effective group. The flowers are large, with a spreading star-like limb, 

 to which its new name, Asterias lutea, refers. Many very beautiful Campanulas enliven the borders 

 this month with their abundant white or blue flowers. The 0. carpatica, and its white-flowered 

 variety, are both beautiful, hardy, free blooming plants, with shallow cup-like erect flowers. The C. 

 nitida, of which there are both blue and white varieties ; the ft laeti flora, white, and the C. punctata, 

 with large, drooping, yellowish-white flowers, spotted with brown, are less common ; the first is 

 quite dwarf, the second about three feet, and the last one foot high. 



The reign of the Composite plants has now fairly commenced. Among the taller-growing 

 species we may cite the Coreopsis grandijlora and C. Atkinsonii ; the very handsome Echinacea 

 intermedia, with large purple violet flowers; the curious Globe Thistles (Echinops), of which the 

 E. Ruthenicus and E. Rilro are common examples, both with tubular blue flowers collected into a 

 globular head, surrounded by a spinous involucre ; and the Eudbeckias, of which fulgida, with a 

 yellow ray and dark purple disk, may be recommended, as both shewy and dwarfer-growing than 

 some others ; the R. Drummondii is also a fine species now in bloom, its six ray florets are orange, 

 with a brownish purple mark at the base of each. The common double Feverfew, Pyrethrum 

 Parthenium needs no recommendation, for, judging by its ubiquity, its claims are fully recognised. 

 It is much to be desired that the attention of some amateur with leisure should be called to the 

 Pyrethrum roseum, which would, we have no doubt, eventually yield double flowers, if increased 

 from seed, and such a variety would be an immense acquisition. "Who will be the first to try the 

 experiment ? The Catananehe ceerulea and C. bicolor are useful plants in sandy soils, where they 

 succeed much better than in more tenacious ones. The Stevia purpurea is not of much moment, 

 but this too is of some value in light soils. 



One of the most splendid July groups are the Delphiniums, which are in perfection 

 this month. The common D. elation is very handsome, and the D. alpinum is no less so. 

 The dwarfer B>. Barlouii, with double flowers, is a great favorite with many ; we prefer, how- 

 ever, the single ones. The new D. Wheeleri is a first-rate variety of tall habit. From these 

 altitudes we will descend to the modest Androsace lanuginosa, a very pretty trailing plant, with 

 heads of lilac flowers, belonging to the Primrose tribe, of which this common but useful yellow 

 trailer, the Lysimachia nummularia, is also a member ; where the surface of a bed requires to be 

 quickly covered, we know few plants better adapted to the purpose than this. The fine Oenothera 

 macrocarpa now attracts attention by its remarkable tubular flowers, and the species figured last 

 month. (E. speciosa is a beautiful object, being covered with its fine white blossoms. We must, 

 however, hurry to the Endogenous plants, but not without a word in favour of the very pretty Oxalis 

 elegans, figured in our last volume. This little plant will please all who honour it with their notice, 

 its numerous purple flowers are produced for two or three months together, and it increases very 

 fast by the roots. The yellow 0. crenata, though chiefly grown for its edible tubers, is very orna- 

 mental as a border plant, but its roots are but half-hardy. 



