168 Select Biennial and Perennial Plants. 



many of the most splendid flowers, as the hollyhock and the sun- 

 flower. They are, however, very magnificent, particularly the 

 great snap-dragon. The flowers of this species are red, white, 

 purple, yellow, or a combination of any two of these colors." 

 They love a dry soil, and as there is a very great variety of this 

 plant, I would recommend the var. pictum, coccinea, and spartium. 

 They are increased by cuttings planted in the summer months ; 

 and new varieties may be obtained from the seed ; — the roots are 

 biennial. 



Aquilegia vulgaris ; Common Columbine. — It is a perennial, 

 and may be increased by dividing the roots. They vary much by 

 culture, and are found of ahnost every color ; " blue, white, red, 

 purple, flesh-colored, chestnut-colored, and striped or variegated 

 blue and purple, blue and white, and red and white." They will 

 do well in almost any soil ; two or three of the best varieties 

 should be cultivated. I saw a very fine specimen of this flower, 

 in the summer of 1835, at the garden of Mr. Jno. Richardson, of 

 Dorchester. 



Coreopsis ; — it is called by gardeners, the TicJc-seeded Sun- 

 flower, the seed being like a tick or bug. There are many varie- 

 ties of this plant. C. lanceolata, spear-leaved Coreopsis, is the 

 most showy, and deserves a place in every garden. It is propaga- 

 ted by parting the root in the autumn, and loves a rich strong soil ; 

 it is a perennial. 



Pulmonaria virginica ; Cowslips of Jerusalem. — " In favorable 

 seasons the flower-garden owes much of its gayety to this elegant 

 plant, and at a time when ornament is most desirable." It gener- 

 ally blooms with us, early in May. It should be planted in a dry 

 soil ; the roots run deep in the ground, and would rot with much 

 moisture. This is a perennial, and may be increased by dividing 

 the roots. It loves a pure air, and if sheltered from cold winds, 

 while in bloom, will amply repay the trouble. " The colors are 

 many; not only on the satne cluster, but on the individual blossom, 

 appearing various shades of red and blue, and these shades con- 

 tinually changing. Drayton places this flower in such honorable 

 company, as gives us good reason to believe that he held it in great 

 esteem. 



" Maids, get the choicest flowers, a garland, and entwine, 

 Nor pinks, uor pansies, let these want; be sure of eglantine, 



See that there be store of lilies, 



(Called of Shepard's daffodillies) 

 With roses damask, white, and red, the dearest flower-de-lis, 

 The cowslip of Jerusalem, and clove of Paradise." 



Fiola odorata ; Sweet Violet. — " This favorite flower so uni- 

 versally esteemed for its fine odor, is a native of every part of 

 Europe. There are the following varieties of the common violet ; 

 the single blue and white, the double blue and white, and the pale 

 purple ; all of which are generally preserved in gardens." The 



