220 Descriptions of several new Verbenas. 



Art. V. Descriptions of several new Verbenas. 

 By the Editor. 



In onr volume for 1840, (VI. p. 253,) we described sev- 

 eral varieties of verbenas, including such as we had given 

 some account of in volumes previous to that, all those 

 worth cultivating, which had been originated up to that 

 period — in all, thirty-one species and varieties. Subse- 

 quently to the appearance of our article, a correspondent 

 described in our volume for 1841, (VII. p. 217.) four other 

 varieties, which were originated by him in Norwich, Conn. 

 But since then, during the entire space of four years, we 

 have not described any additional seedlings. 



During the last two years great attention has been given 

 to the cultivation of verbenas in England, and great num- 

 bers of seedlings have been raised, which are described as 

 superior sorts ; but of several which have been imported 

 into our collections, none that we have seen have surpassed 

 those which have been originated by our own cultivators. 

 In our sunny climate, where the seed is always ripened in 

 abundance in the open air, there is no doubt but that new 

 and yet greatly distinct varieties may be raised, if cultiva- 

 tors would sow larger quantities of the seed ; there would 

 then be a greater chance in the selection. It must not be 

 expected to get any thing very new, out of forty or fifty 

 plants : if one in a hundred, or even thousand, should prove 

 really distinct^ the cultivator should feel encouraged to 

 continue his experiments. 



We have stated that thirty-five varieties have been cor- 

 rectly described in our previous volumes; we now add 

 thirteen more, — making in aW forty -eight kinds, thirty-three 

 of which arc American seedlings. Many varieties have 

 been raised, but not sufficiently distinct to deserve names. 



The color which is now most wanting is a pure white, 

 of fine habit, — all of the present varieties partaking too 

 much of the strong and upright growth and coarse foliage 

 of the tencxoides. A distinct striped one is also a desidera- 

 tum. The fine blue now described is the nearest approach 

 to this desirable tint ; and Gazelle is the darkest one we 

 have yet seen. Repeated experiments will no doubt give 



