i2 PERENNIALS. [March. 



them a new situation, or changing the earth they were in 

 Two or three stems together are quite sufficient. Th<? 

 flowers, by the above treatment, will be much larger, more 

 double, and finer in colour ; where they are wanted to grow 

 low and bushy, top them in June, but not later than the 

 first of July Where the soil is rich, and the plant having 

 only one stem, bj f topping it, makes a beautiful bush. They 

 are in flower from the first of October until severe frost ; 

 thus beautifying our gardens at a season when they would 

 be destitute of one single attraction. If the season be dry, 

 to water them with liquid manure will add to their vigour. 

 They are all natives of China, and greatly esteemed by the 

 Chinese, who only allow a few blooms to come out on the 

 top of each stem, thereby having the flowers much finer. 



Clematis, Virgin's-bower. A few species are good herba- 

 ceous plants, of upright growth and blue flowers, C. integri- 

 fblia ', C. angustifblia ; and C. erecta ; they grow best in 

 light soil. 



Coreopsis, chiefly native plants, and free-flowering ; coloui 

 principally yellow ; flowers rayed. C. tenuifblia, C. verti- 

 cilldta, C. discolor, and (7. tripteris, are the finest of the genus, 

 and will grow in any common garden soil. 



Delphiniums. There are some showy border flowers of 

 these, of strong growth. The leaves are much divided ; the 

 flowers in terminal spikes; colour blue, purple, pink, white 

 and yellow, with various shades. D. yrandlflbrum, and its 

 varieties, are the best of the genus. D. intermedium, and 

 its varieties, D. eldtum, Bee Larkspur, from the ringent 

 part of the flower being very like a bee, D. Chinense, dark 

 blue, D. Barlowii, large bright blue, and D. montdnum, 

 are good varieties, and easily cultivated. When the plants 

 become large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh 

 soil. They are in bloom from May to September. 



Didnthus. Some of the species of this genus are the most 

 prominent of the flower-garden, not only for their beauty, 

 but also their fragrance, which is peculiarly grateful, especially 

 in the well-known and celebrated Pink and Carnation, with 

 the Sweet William, which was esteemed in the days of old 

 " for its beauty to deck up the bosoms of the beautiful, and 

 garlands and crowns for pleasure." The finest species arc 

 D. larldtus and D. larldtus pleno, Sweet William ; 7>. 

 discolor; D. yhinensis ; D. alpinus ; D superlus ; D, 



