PETUNIA 205 



PETU'NIA (from Amer. Indian word petun, meaning 

 tobacco, to which it is nearly related). Nat. Ord. 

 Solanacece. 



This well-known family is in its native country 

 of S. America a perennial, but in this climate it is 

 often treated as a tender annual. It has been very 

 greatly improved by cultivation, the native species 

 P. nyctaginiflora and P. molacea being mainly 

 responsible for the beautiful garden forms now 

 grown. These, however, do not always come true 

 to name when raised from seed like annuals, it 

 being the custom usually with gardeners to pro- 

 pagate them from cuttings to preserve their identity. 

 But for mixed borders, seedlings are very beautiful, 

 and a great number will come true to colour. It 

 is said that the finest double flowers are produced 

 from the smallest seedlings, so that these should 

 not be thrown away as worthless. 

 P. grandiflor' a is a fine strain of single petunias 



varying in colour very much. 



P grandiflor'ajimbria'ta. Double and single rose, 

 crimson and purple flowers, fringed at the 

 edges. 

 P. grandiflor'a iritus au'rea has large yellow 



throats, veined and spotted. 



P, Miran'da. A new strain, having deep rose- 

 coloured flowers, crimped and curled. 

 P. grandiflor'a, Lady Courtenay, is a good flower 

 to raise from seed, as it comes very true. The 

 flowers are single, rounded, and of a rich 

 rosy-carmine colour with white throats. 



