270 



Flowers of May. 



for our limits are already exceeded. We are tempted, nevertheless, to pause 

 a moment more, to notice a fine hardy plant introduced within a few 

 years. This is a variety of mule-pink, known in France as CEillet Hon, 

 from the name of its originator, and set down in English catalogues under 

 the barbarous name of Dianthus hybridus multiflorus. It blooms in large 

 clusters of brilliant rosy red ; and a large well-grown plant is a splendid 

 object in early June. It is increased by cuttings, or layers, and blossoms 

 on the growth formed in the preceding year. A cutting struck in spring, 

 and planted out, will make a large plant before the season is over, and 

 bloom superbly in the following spring, and for several successive seasons. 

 It is excellent, too, for forcing in the greenhouse. There is a striped 

 variety, and also a white one. 



CERCIS CANADENSIS. 



Here you have an outline, and nothing more, of what may be done to- 

 wards filling the dreary gap between the crocuses and hyacinths of spring 

 and the annuals and bedding-plants of July and August. May and June 



