CHAPTER VI 



FIG. 22. A Single Geranium Flower 



SELECTION AND CARE OF DECORATIVE PLANTS 

 PLANT NAMES 



Plants may be designated either by their common 



names or by scientific names. The scientific name is 



made up of two words : 

 the first that of its genus 

 rstamens and the second that of its 

 species. The name of the 

 genus unites into groups 

 the plants that are closely 

 related, while the name of 

 the species distinguishes 



the particular plant in the group. The early spring flower 



known as bluebell has for its 



scientific name Mertensia virgin- 



ica, of which Mertensia answers 



very nearly to the surname of a 



person, as Jones or Smith, and 



virginica to the baptismal name, 



as John or James. Sometimes 



an adjective that describes the 



variety is added, as in Rosa 



rugosa alba and Rosa rugosa rubra, the former being 



a white variety and the latter a red of the same species. 



32 



FIG. 23. A Double Geranium 

 Flower 



