FLOWER-GARDENING. 101 



he raised by crosses between tbe different species of Azaleas 

 and Rliododendrons, both of the hardy and choicest green- 

 house varieties. He has already flowered several plants, which 

 partake of the Rhododendron in the umbels, and embrace all 

 the good qualities of the Azalea. 



Banksia. A genus of plants named in honor of Sir Joseph 

 Banks, of which there are over twenty species, all curious in 

 flower, and variable in foliage ; colors, yellow and green. They 

 generally blossom from May to August. 



Beaufortia. There are two species of this beautiful shrub, 

 yielding scarlet and pink flowers from the sides of their stalks, 

 from May to July. 



Bellis perennis. Daisy. This half-hardy dwarf species, of 

 which there are several varieties, as recorded in our Perennial 

 Catalogue, are w^orthy of further notice, from their yielding 

 thousands of button-formed flowers from January to July, or 

 until checked by the summer heat, from which they should be 

 screened, by being planted in a shaded border in the spring. 

 The colors are white, red, and variegated, and some, called Hen 

 and Chicken Daisies, grow in clusters. 



Bletia Tankervilli. A delicate plant, producing spikes of 

 purple flowers, similar to the Hyacinth, from April to July. 



Bouvardia. Mexican Bouvardia. A beautiful plant, pro- 

 ducing brilliant scarlet flowers from May to September, when 

 carefully cultivated. 



Baronia. There are several species of this plant, natives of 

 New Holland; the flowers of some are star-like, rose-colored, 

 and sweet-scented ; in perfection in April and May. 



Brunia. This species of plants have foliage similar to the 

 Erica^ but the leaves arc three-cornered ; the plants when 

 young are very handsome. Brunia nodiflora produces chaste 

 white globular flowers in abundance. There are several other 

 varieties highly esteemed by amateurs. 



Brunsvigia Josephince. This cape bulb produces splendid 

 rose-colored flowers in large umbels, on a stem about two feet 

 high. There are several other species, some of which produce 



