42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The above-mentioned varieties can all be recommmended as fine flowers ; 

 many more might be added almost as fine, but a choice selection can be 

 obtained by choosing colors from those above enumerated. 



THE CULTURE OF THE VERBENA.* 



BY THE CHAIRMAN. 



There are few plants which lend more beauty to the flower garden in 

 summer, or enliven the greenhouse in the winter and early spring months 

 in a greater degree than the verbena. From the variety of colors, the 

 rapidity of propagation, the little care needed to bloom the plant in perfec- 

 tion and the abundance of blossoms, it is and always must remain a univer- 

 sal favorite. 



In addition to these advantages the facility with which new varieties are 

 raised from seed render it a favorite with the amateur ; and in no collection 

 do we fail to find the verbena in some of its many varieties. 



It is a difficult task to prescribe the culture of a plant so well known, 

 and which will grow and flourish under such a variety of circumstances 

 and in such diflferent situations. As every one has grown verbenas, each 

 has his own peculiar mode of treatment, if indeed a flower requiring so 

 little care can be said to have peculiar treatment. 



In writing of a pl^nt from which seedlings are produced with such ease, 

 and which sports into such an infinite variety of colors and shades, we can- 

 not be too careful in expressing a decided opinion. Every year new seed- 

 lings are " brought out," and latterly the varieties have so multiplied that 

 it is very difficult to choose those really worthy of cultivation : the favorite 

 of this spring may, after a year's trial, be cast aside as worthless, for it may 

 not be found worthy of general cultivation, or better varieties may have 

 been originated. 



Yet we must use due care in this rejection of old varieties and well 

 proved kinds, for the newer kinds often prove inferior to those discarded. 

 We have yet to learn that a new plant is not always desirable, and to re- 

 strain the passion for novelty which too often runs away with our better 

 judgment. No one who has watched for the last few years the progress of 

 floriculture need tax his memory to call to mind the many new plants with 

 high-sounding names and fulsome recommendations, which a few months' 

 trial has shown to be perfectly worthless. 



But to return to our subject. The name verbena is of Latin origin, 

 being derived from the word " herba," which signifies any plant of a low 



* The substance of this article was published a few years since in " The Magazine 

 of Horticulture;" it aUracled some attention, as some of the ideas were new. It is 

 now published with additions and such emendations as the last two years have shown 

 to Le neceisary. 



