Caryophyllecz Dianthus. 



D. fruticosus is usually considered as a variety of the fore- 

 going species. The Tree Carnations and most of the perpetual 

 varieties come under this sub-species. The stems are half- 

 woody at the base, and rise to a height of 3 to 6 feet when 

 supported. The varieties are now becoming numerous, but 

 they are more valuable for winter flowering under glass than 

 for the flower garden. It is said to be of Eastern origin and 

 a wild form. In the French edition this is held to be distinct 

 from D. Caryophyllus. 



2. D. plumarius. Pink. A much dwarfer plant than the 

 foregoing, forming dense grass-like tufts of a glaucous tint, 

 and therefore well adapted for edging. Its flowering season 

 commences about the middle or end of May, and is of about 

 a month's duration. There are many varieties of it, mostly 

 very fragrant, both double 



and single, white, rose, bright 

 carmine, and some are laced 

 or bordered with carmine or 

 lake on a rose or white ground. 

 For pot culture preference 

 is usually given to the white 

 varieties or those bordered 

 with purple on a white ground. 

 It is a native of the South of 

 Europe. 



3. D. barbatus (fig. 44). 

 Sweet William. This is in- 

 digenous in the central and 

 western Pyrenees and other 

 parts of Europe. It is readily 

 distinguished from the preced- 

 ing species by its broader ob- 

 long-lanceolate leaves alone, 

 and also by the relative small- 

 ness of its flowers, which by 

 way of compensation are borne 

 in dense corymbs. The date 

 of its introduction to our gar- 

 dens is so remote that it is 



difficult to find its origin in Fig . 44. Dianthus barbatus. (J nat. size.) 



the old authors; but one thing 



is certain, that it is only within the last fifty years that the 



F 



