56 Cultivation of Lobelia. 



admired, that the old species, from which they were originated, have ahrtost 

 ceased to be cultivated. The byzantinus, cardinalis, and communis, with its 

 varieties, are the only kinds we have ever observed in the gardens around Boston, 

 and we are not aware of the existence of others at present in the country. Next 

 season we hope to have the pleasure of showing some of the new varieties raised 

 by Mr. Herbert; we are expecting some before long, and perhaps many will be 

 glad to hear that they are likely to become denizens of our own greenhouses and 

 flower gardens. 



The accompanying plate is one we have copied from a painting we executed 

 last autumn from the very plant which is the subject of Mr. Sweetser's communi- 

 cation. It represents only the top of a spike, which numbered seven ex- 

 panded flowers. Having seen a description of this species in the English flori- 

 cultural publications, we intended importing some of the bulbs ; butbemg at Mr. 

 Thorburns in New York, last spring, he informed us that he expected a small 

 quantity, though very rare ; we engaged one or two dozen of them, and had the 

 pleasure of introducing it into this vicinity. We received a few months since 

 several dozen bulbs of this species, with others, and expect a large quantity in a 

 few weeks. — Conds. 



Art. VII. On the Cultivation of Lohclia cardinalis, ftilgens, splen- 

 clens, syphilitica, and speciosa. By the Conductors. 



These five varieties of the showy genus Lobeha, we succeeded 

 in growing very beautifully last season. Some of the plants were 

 five feet in height, and were covered with a profusion of their rich 

 and brilliant flowers. They are a great ornament to the garden, as 

 they can be placed when grown in pots, in any situation, and in 

 some parts where no other species of plants will flourish to any de- 

 gree of beauty. Under the shade of shrubs or trees, we have found 

 them to preserve the elegance of their blossoms for a much greater 

 length of time, than when set in sunny places. And we may sup- 

 pose that their natural habitats would he in the shade, as our native 

 species are mostly found growing in low, damp, and sheltered sit- 

 uations. 



When the fulgens was first introduced into Great Britain, it sold 

 at a guinea a plant: it may now be bought for two or three shillings. 

 The common cardinalis which flourishes by the sides of little brooks 

 and in wet places in our vicinity, throwing up its glittering spikes of 

 flowers, was thought by Justice, an old and celebrated florist, as "a 

 flower of most handsome appearance, which should not be wanting 

 in curious gardens, as it excels all other flowers I ever knew, in the 

 richness of its color." 



The fulgens and splendens are natives of Mexico, and are not yet 

 very common, though it seems astonishing that their great beauty 

 should not have found them a place in every flower border where it 

 is desirable to gather all that is choice and rare. They are tender 

 plants, and require the protection of a frame or green-house during 

 the winter, which may be perhaps, one reason that they are not to 

 be seen more plentifully in our gardens. The speciosa is a new and 

 very late introduced variety ; it was found growing among the other 



