192 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



species, growing from two to three feet high, with large spikes 

 of white flowers, shaded with yellow, and blue or purple. 

 The whole family flower better in a lean soil than in a rich 



one. 



MADIA. 



Madia elegans. Elegant Madia. A pretty annual, of 

 recent introduction. The seeds should be planted in the bor- 

 der in May. If the plants can have a shady location, it will 

 be much the best, as the bright sunshine causes the petals of 

 the flower to curl up, thus destroying much of their beauty. 

 The flowers are large, with yellow rays and brown disk. Early 

 in the morning, or just at night, the blossoms appear exceeding 

 splendid ; about two feet high. 



MALOPE. 



Malope grandiflorum. Grand Flowering Malope. This 

 very showy plant is of the Mallow tribe ; grows two feet to 

 two feet six inches high. The flowers are produced in great 

 abundance, and, being of a fine rosy-crimson, make a very gay 

 appearance, rendering it a desirable plant for giving a distant 

 attracting effect. It blooms from June to the end of October, 

 unless cut off* by frost. Seed should be sown in pots early in 

 March, and be raised in a hot-bed ; or may be sown upon a hot- 

 bed, under a frame or hand-glass. The plants may be set out 

 in the open border by the middle of May. 



M. grandiflora alba. A variety with white flowers, but 

 rather more delicate in its habits than the other variety. 

 Both of the varieties are better grown in a green -house, but 

 are perfectly hardy. The plant blooms most profusely in a 

 good loamy soil, mixed with a little manure or leaf-mould. If 

 the soil be very rich, the plant w T ill be liable to grow too vigor- 

 ously, and produce a vast profusion of foliage, which will 



