SPECIES OF DIANTHUS 9 



D. prolifer. This is a very rare English species, con- 

 fined to Selsey Island and a few more stations, and known 

 to the old botanists as the Child ing Sweet William. 



D. Seguierii. A hardy species from Switzerland, with 

 rosy-purple flowers, and suited to border cultivation. 

 D. S. collina is a lovely variety that flowers in autumn. 



D. splendeus. A medium-sized flower of a deep crimson 

 colour. 



D. squarrosus. A species somewhat like D. plumarius ; 

 from Tauria in Russia, 1817. The flowers are white, 

 and larger than those of the latter species, but the plant 

 less tall. 



D. suavis. A very sweet-scented pink-flowered species 

 with glaucous foliage. Suited for rockwork. 



D. superbus, commonly known as the Fringed Pink. It 

 is a very old species, being mentioned in Gerard's 

 "Catalogue of Plants" (1596), where it is called "Spotted 

 Sweet Johns." By Parkinson it is named the " Feathered 

 Pinke of Austria," and he remarks it is " like unto the 

 Sweet Johns some of them of a purplish colour, but the 

 most ordinary with us are pure white and of a most 

 fragrant sent, comforting the spirits and senses a farre 

 off." The flowers at night emit the most delightful frag- 

 rance. The plant grows as high as two feet, and is very 

 floriferous ; and though perennial it is apt to die during 

 winter when grown in rich garden soil. It is, however, 

 easily raised from seeds, which sown in April or May 

 produce strong flowering plants the year ensuing. The 

 species forms hybrids freely, and not improbably a "strain " 

 of D. superbus exists in our present-day Pinks, if not 

 also Carnations. D. s. garnerianus^ sometimes called 

 " Gardneri" is a very fine variety, with deeply laciniated 

 flowers over three inches across. It was raised about 

 sixty years ago by the gardener of a Mrs. Gamier, after 

 whom it is named, and is a supposed hybrid with D. 

 superbus and an Indian Pink for parents. The flower is 



