176 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



more spreading. Both species are suitable to be planted in 

 masses. Foliage delicate. 



COMMELINA. 



Commelina ccelestis. Sky-blue Comrnelina. Tender, an- 

 nual, or perennial if the roots are taken up and housed. The 

 splendid blue flowers of this plant cannot be excelled, and its 

 profusion of blossoms renders it deserving of cultivation in 

 every flower-garden. The plant blooms from the middle of 

 June to October. The roots are tuberous, and keep well 

 through winter, if taken up after the 'blooming season, and pre- 

 served like Dahlia roots. Plants from the old roots grow, 

 in good soil, from two to three feet high ; those from seeds 

 reach only from one to t\Vb feet. The following is the mode 

 of management I have practised : I fix upon a circular bed, 

 eight feet in diameter, and in the first week in May I plant 

 four feet of the centre with the old roots, placing the crowns 

 just under the surface of the soil. The outer portion of the 

 bed I plant with spring-sown plants, that have been raised in 

 pots placed in a frame. Both the roots and plants should be 

 planted about six inches apart. Thus, the centre of the bed 

 being much higher than the outer part, the appearance is that 

 of a splendid blue cone of flowers, scarcely to be excelled in 

 beauty. Seeds are produced in abundance, and may be 

 obtained of seedsmen at a small cost. 



COREOPSIS. 



Coreopsis Drummondii. Drummond Coreopsis. A very 

 showy hardy annual, with large yellow flowers, suitable for 

 growing in masses, as it continues in bloom all the season. 

 One foot high. 



C. tinctoria will be found under the head of Calliopsis* 



