102 PLANTS FOE WINDOW GARDENING. 



The qualities of a first-class verbena, as laid down by 

 florists, are : roundness of flower, without indenture, notch, 

 or serrature ; petals thick, flat, bright and smooth ; the 

 plant should be compact, with short, strong joints, either 

 distinctly of a shrubby habit, or a close, ground creeper or 

 climber ; the trusses of bloom, compact, standing out from 

 the foliage, the flowers meeting, but not crowding each 

 other; the foliage should be short, broad, bright, and 

 enough to hide the stalk ; in the eyed and striped varieties, 

 the colors should be well defined and lasting, never running 

 into each other, or changing in the sun. 



As a window plant, there is nothing that will give more 

 bloom than a verbena. Let it be trained on a trellis, and 

 give it all the sun possible ; the more sun, the more bloom. 

 Pinch the shoots, to prevent its becoming too rambling, and 

 give air enough, and your work is done. 



The production of seedlings, as above directed, is a very 

 pretty amusement, and very simple. Seedlings will bloom 

 in three months, from the seed. 



It only remains for us to describe some of the best vari- 

 eties, both old and new. Those called first-class flowers, 

 can be recommended for general culture, while many others, 

 though very distinct and beautiful, are valuable only in a 



