T^ Flowers of May. 



scarlet. The polyanthus, the primrose (not the evening primrose, a very 

 different flower), and the cowslip (not our meadow cowslip, which is no 

 cowslip at all, but a Caltha or marsh-marigold), — these three, we say, are 

 plants very nearly akin, being all closely allied members of the genus 

 Primula. The auricula is of the same race, and the most beautiful, but, 

 in the latitude of Boston, not so easy of cultivation as a border-flower. It 

 usually bears the winter ; but the hot, dry summer withers it away. 

 Indeed, moisture is the great need of all the family. A damp border, 

 under a north wall, is a good place for them. Plant them in a light soil 

 mixed with rotten leaves and very old manure, cover them thinly with dry 

 leaves or coarse hay in winter, and in the spring they will give you abundant 

 flowers, rising in bright trusses eight or ten inches from the soft green of 

 the tufted foliage. After they have done their blooming, you may divide 

 them ; and thus, in a few years, you may multiply them indefinitely. Or 

 you may choose the best, remove them while in bloom with a ball of earth 

 about the roots, plant them apart from the inferior sorts, and save the seed, 

 from which good varieties will be sure to spring. 



The polyanthus and auricula are the pride of the family. The primrose 

 and cowslip are in less esteem ; though the yellow primrose is, to our 

 thinking, very beautiful. The two first, though very desirable in the 

 border, are pre-eminently " florist flowers ; " and those who wish to practise 

 their elaborate culture in pots will find good directions, in the books of 

 Hogg and Glenny, on the treatment of this class of plants. 



May 2. — Poletnonium reptans. — This is a species of the plant commonly 

 known as "Jacob's-ladder." It is of a dwarf growth and creeping habit. 

 The flowers are bright blue, and it will grow anywhere. Chclidonium 

 diphylla. — A plant with succulent leaves and a yellow flower, not devoid 

 of beaut}'. Phlox subulata. — This is the well-known moss-pink, whose 

 innumerable flowers of pink, rose, and white, overspread the garden 

 borders at this season with their rich masses of color. Nothing is easier 

 of cultivation. It asks little but to be let alone. The white variet}-, with 

 a pink spot in the centre, is, perhaps, the prettiest. Phlox divaricata. — 

 This is of taller growth, with clusters of flowers of a porcelain-blue. It 

 commonly blooms a little later than the other. 



