352 Akebia Qicitiata. 



It is a matter of surprise that a flower of such rare beauty and attractive 

 splendor, and of which some writer has truly said, " before the intense 

 brilliancy of whose colors the exotics pale," should be so much neglected 

 here, where it is indigenous, and so easily grown, when it is so highly prized 

 and sought for by foreign florists, where it is an exotic, and difficult to be 

 raised. Being indigenous here is probably the reason why it is so often 

 overlooked, like several other of our native wild flowers ; though their 

 graceful oultines, exquisite tintings, and robust beauty, far excel many of 

 the greenhouse-tribe, nursed so often with assiduous care, and watched 

 over with tender solicitude. 



Once fairly established in a congenial soil, the lobelia will annually give 

 for nearly two months a mass of bloom on handsome stalks, and in a dye 

 so intense as to be unapproached by either rose or verbena, bouvardia, or 

 even the much-vaunted scarlet salvia ; and that, too, with very little care or 

 attention. And, when the hoary frosts and rigors of winter come, it will 

 kindly take care of itself, asking no shelter in the greenliouse or cold frame, 

 but simply to be let alone 3 and, when summer comes again, it will reward 

 you with its gay flowers and gorgeous hues, C. W. Ra7ikf. 



HoLYOKK, Mass. 



AKEBIA QUINATA. 



Contrary to expectation, this plant has proved hardy in the vicinity of 

 Boston, and flowered freely. 



It is difficult to convey an idea of the beauty of the rich clover-like 

 foliage, or of the varied forms of the flowers. It requires only common 

 garden-soil, and will climb fifteen feet in a single season. 



