CCLTIVATruX A.XV AA'ALTSIS OF PLANTS. 



CHOICE NATIVE WILD FLOWERS. 



Among the most widely-spread and attractive of native wild Howeis are tlie tbllowin<i, 

 selected from an almost innumerable multitiuie of like beauties. 



Anemone neiuorosa, or Wind-flower of the Woods, is a pretty, low-growing plant, adapted to any 

 shady border or neglected corner in a garden, or where most other plants will refuse to grow. It is an 

 early bloomer, shooting up its pinkish-white flower before the frost is fairly out of the ground. There 

 are six species of the Anemone indigenous to the United .States, and some imported ones are also culti- 

 vated. (See A. coronaria, p. i8.) 



Uyularia, or Bellwort, is one of the prettie>t of tlie native Lilies, and blooms about as early as the 

 Anemone. It comprises four well-known s]uiiv-, \ i/,. : t". yraiuliflora, U. perfoliata, U. sessiliflora and 

 U. flava, any of which is worthy of a ]ihKe in llic clioiixst iiKloor or outdoor collection. 



ErythrOIliuiU, or Dogtooth Mokt — which, by the way, is not a Violet, but a Lily — is also a very 

 pretty low-growing wild flower, which blooms about the same time as the foregoing; it has blotclicd 

 leaves, and its lily-like flowers gracefully droop and recurve their petals, as in the Fuchsia, bi;t in open 

 sunlight become wheel-shaped. There are four species of this plant which are indigenous in our Aniei- 

 ican woods, all pretty, and destined to become general fa\ orites for parlor or garden, as they already aie 

 in Europe. 



Dodecatheon Meadia, or Shooting Star — sometimes called the American Cowslip, and not unfre- 

 qiiently in Illinois the Prairie Pointer — is one of our neglected prairie-flowers worthy of a better fate. 

 Floweiing quite early, and needing but a damp place in any common soil in or out of doors, it fully 

 equals the Cyclamen in the color, form and fragrance of its blossoms. 



Tradescantia Virginiea, or Spiderwort, is already described (p. 2S1), to which may be .-idded that it 

 will flourish with little attention, in any soil, in or out of doors, requiring only plenty of sunlight and 

 water. 



Coreopsis, or Tickseed, already described (p. 94), is as easily grow n as any of the foregoing wild 

 flowers, but requires plenty of room to develop its best specimens. 



Asclepias tuberosa, or Butterfly Weed — sometimes called Pleurisy Root — is a very fine ornamental 

 plant that grows wild on most sandy or gravely soils throughout the country, awaiting the notice of flori- 

 culturists. In a few instances it has been transferred to gardens with good effect, and will no doubt one 

 ilay be extensively cultivated in and out of doors, as its perennial roots, besides its native attractiveness, 

 will specially recommend it. 



Cassia Chamsecrista, literally signifying Dwarf-crested Cassia, is familiarly called Partridge Pea, 

 because of an alleged partiality of the partridge for its seed. When not in flo\ver it so closely resembles 

 the Mimosa, or Sensitive Plant, as to be sometimes mistaken for it; and as it evinces a degree of sensi- 

 tiveness, by closing on the approach of rain or night, this'inistake is not inexcusable. But thev are essen- 

 tially different, as the Cassia has a very bright, showy, large, yellow flower, while the flower of the 

 Mimosa is very insignificant. The Cassia has already been introduced into the seedsmen's catalogues, 

 and is of course forevermore rescued from oblivion. It is adapted to indoor or outdoor purposes, and 

 those who have experimented with it prefer to raise the seedlings under glass. 



Liatris, or Blazing Star of our western prairies, is a very fine, showy plant for outdoor cultivation. 

 There are at least ten species indigenous to the United States, all of them pretty, desirable, and easily 

 cultivated. Their bright, purple-red flower-spikes constitute their chief attraction. 



Gentiana crinita, or Fringed Gentian, so graphically described by our great American poet, William 

 Cullen Bryant, is deserving of all the eflFort and expense that may be necessary to introduce it into cultiva- 

 tion. It now grows naturally in moist, sandv places, and those who seek to cultivate it should endeavor- 

 to prepare similar surroundings. There is quite a number of other species of the Gentian, all of them 

 hardy, interesting and worthy of attention. Many of these will undoubtedly prove to be very acceptable 

 house plants, as well as g.irden ornaments, at no very distant day. 



Asters, or Starworts, are a numerous family of extremely pretty plants, there being no less than sixty 



ive American species, all of which are verv .admirable for the abundance and beauty of their flowers. | 



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