168 CONVOLVULUS ITALICUS. 



This plant would form a magnificent associate for the Handevilla suaveolens ; it 

 is not expensive, and is readily increased by cuttings of the shoots ; it requires a 

 strong rich soil, and in dry weather should have occasional doses of liquid 

 manure. Its roots must be removed from the ground at the end of October, and 

 preserved in a pot in a greenhouse or frame, to which frost has no access, or even 

 on a window, with other dormant plants. In the north of France, where the 

 climate is in no degree warmer than that of the southern English counties — 

 perhaps even less so — this fine plant is pretty generally employed for covering 

 arbours and trellises in summer. The P. hederacea is an annual species, about 

 as hardy as hispida, with lobed ivy-like foliage, and glossy flowers of the purest 

 blue, producing a charming effect. It only requires to be sown early in May, 

 where it is to bloom, in light rich soil. It is the Ipomaa hederacea of the 

 Seedsmen, but appears to be less generally kept than formerly, though none of the 

 annual species better deserve a place in their catalogues. The P. Nil is rather 

 more tender, and must be raised on a hot bed. It is of dwarfer growth than 

 hederacea, and its flowers are of a deeper blue. To these may be added the P. 

 barbigera, with cordate entire leaves, and blue flowers, the calyx of which is armed 

 with long spreading hairs, in tufts ; and the P. discolor, a very beautiful plant, 

 with white flowers divided by blue bands, terminated by an eye-like spot of a 

 deeper shade. We had hoped to have been able to recommend the beautiful 

 P. hmbata, recently introduced by Messrs. Eollison from Java, as a half-hardy 

 plant for the borders, but it proves to be too tender for exposure, requiring, 

 indeed, a stove heat for the proper expansion of its flowers. 



Most of the true Ipomasas are too tender for the open air, and of the few 

 hardy species scarcely aiiy are procurable. The I. mutabilis, I. tamnifolia, 

 I. lacunosa, and pandurata, may all be grown when they can be procured. The 

 plants formerly known as Ipomcca coccinea and 7". quamoclit, both with scarlet 

 flowers, are now termed respectively Quamoclit coccinea and Q. vulgaris; the 

 latter is the most shewy species ; it differs from the former in having pinnatifid 

 leaves, and flowers usually solitary. They require to be raised on a good hot-bed, 

 and to be planted out in May in a warm border. 



"We must revert for a moment to the Convolvulus Italicm, for the purpose of 

 explaining that it is more generally known to the Florists by the name of 

 C. Sibthorpii, under which designation it appears to have been introduced 

 some years since, by Messrs. Low of Clapton. The true C. Sibthorpii is a less 

 interesting plant, with pale blush-coloured flowers. The name of the genus is 

 appropriately derived from convohere, to twine. 



