208 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



The genus contains many varieties of ornamental plants, 

 originally from Chili. 



In their native habitats they are perennials ; but here a bien- 

 nial in the green-house, or a tender annual in the open air. 

 They succeed finely if the plants are started in a frame, flower- 

 ing in July and August ; from one and a half to two feet high. 



Salpiglossis atropurpurea is extremely beautiful; being 

 altogether of a fine, rich, dark-velvety puce color. The flowers 

 of all the varieties are funnel-shaped, something after the fash- 

 ion of the Petunia, but not so broad. 



S. straminea has pure yellow flowers. 



S. Barclayana and hylrida are iron-brown, and yellow 

 veined with brown. 



S. sinuata, flowers dark blood color, veined or striped. S. 

 picta has beautiful striped flowers. 



The best soil is a mixture of loam and sand, enriched with 

 rotted horse-manure and a little leaf mould. In a heavy gar- 

 den soil it will not succeed so well. 



The green-house is the proper situation for this pretty flower. 



SCABIOSA. 



Scabious. 



" The Scabious blooms in sad array, 

 A mourner in her spring." 



Scabiosa atropurpurea. Mourning Bride. A hardy orna- 

 mental plant, suitable for the border ; it may be sown any time 

 in May, and will produce its flowers from July to October ; two 

 feet high. There is a great variety in the flowers of different 

 plants ; some of them are almost black ; others a dark puce 

 purple, and various shades, down to lilac; they are produced in 

 heads. 



