On the Citltivation of Torcnia Asiatica. 163 



Art. VI- On the Cultivation of Torejiia. Asiatica. By E. W. 



This is a beautiful sub-shrubby plant introduced into England 

 some years since, from the East Indies, and more recently into 

 this country by other parties, it is presumed, besides the writer ; 

 but we do not remember to have seen any notice of it* in any 

 of our horticultural periodicals, and we therefore propose to give 

 a brief description of it, in the hope that others may be induced 

 to introduce it and give it a more extensive trial ; for, out of sev- 

 eral plants imported in 1846, only one plant survived to bloom 

 during the last summer and autumn, and this plant has recently 

 been unfortunately destroyed by an accident, so that only two 

 doubtful cuttings remain. 



The plant is of a diffuse, branching habit, with quadrangu- 

 lar, flexible stems, bearing opposite ovate and serrated leaves, 

 from the axils of which other branches are produced, and to- 

 wards the tips of these shoots numerous flowers appear, usually 

 on separate stalks, but sometimes several from the same axil. 

 The shape of the flower is somewhat like that of a mimulus, 

 the color principally a beautiful soft dark blue, or blue lilac of 

 a peculiar and indescribable tint. It is divided into four lobes, 

 upon each of which is a deep purple blotch, and the throat is 

 of the same color, beautifully varied by a pale streak down the 

 centre of the lower segment. Though originally supposed 

 to be an annual plant, it is easily preserved through the winter 

 in the greenhouse, and the same plants bloom as freely as the 

 new cuttings the ensuing summer. It is easily propagated, 

 flowers freely through the summer and autumnal months, so 

 that it is a plant well calculated for bedding out. 



From its East India origin, it was supposed to be very ten- 

 der, and suitable only for stove cultivation, but, having been 

 subsequently found in Alpine regions, and extended over a 

 wide range of country, it was foimd to be possessed of much 



* A full description of this beautiful plant will be found in our Floricultural No- 

 tices in our last volume, (XIII. p. 317,) but we were not awaie of its introduction into 

 our gardens, until the communication of our obliging correspondent came to hand. 

 We hope he may so succeed in the management of his plants as to greatly extend its 

 cultivation. — Ed. 



