April 16, 1S90.] 



Garden and Forest. 



IQI 



reddish beneath, somewhat tomentose, and a foot or more in 

 length. From the base of this solitary leaf rise the flower- 

 spikes, bearing large panicles of lavender-colored flowers, the 

 individual flowers not being very large but showy in the mass. 

 A smaller species than the above, and also very pretty, is 5. 

 Rhexii, which flowers in much the same manner and profu- 

 sion as 6". Saundersii, but produces a pair of leaves instead of 

 the solitary one of the latter. 



All the species of Streptocarpus are multiplied by seeds, and 

 may be grown in an intermediate house, where the tempera- 

 ture is kept at about fifty degrees. They should be potted in 

 light loam in well drained pots or pans, and if a number of 

 plants are placed in a pan, so as to form a mass, they make 

 an effective group and produce a succession of bloom for a 

 considerable time. They enjoy a plentiful supply of water, 

 but it should be so applied that the foliage is wet as little as 

 possible, for the leaves are liable to damp off if watered 

 overhead. 



The Streptocarpus is native of South Africa, and although 



winters. This is, also, unfortunately true of some of the best 

 western species. 



Pentstemons seem to thrive best in a light, rich soil, in the 

 open border, and in such a position all are perennial. P. 

 grandiflorus is one of the showiest we have grown. It has 

 spikes of pretty bluish lilac flowers and grows about two feet 

 high. It has glaucous foliage, seeds freely, and self-sown 

 plants produce better flowers than old ones. There is a 

 variety of P. grandiflorus with dark purple flowers which is 

 distinct and desirable. It seems constant, having come true 

 from seed, and bids fair to be a popular plant. P. Cobiva has, 

 perhaps, larger flowers than the last, and these bear a striking 

 resemblance to the old Cobcea Scandens of greenhouses, with 

 its purple, white striped flowers. The variety of P. Cobce.i 

 known as Purpurea has much darker flowers and is quite dis- 

 tinct. This may also be easily raised from seed. P. ovatus is 

 a species with pretty bright blue flowers, which change to 

 purple, and though in this species the flowers are smaller than 

 in those named above, they are much more abundant. This 



the above mentioned species have been in cultivation for 

 many years, they are seldom seen in American collections. 

 And yet they are more worthy of cultivation, both on account 

 of their oddity and beauty, than many plants which are much 

 more common. 

 Holmesburg, Pa. W. H. Taplin. 



Pentstemons for the Garden. 



THE genus Pentstemon is an extensive, and, with one 

 -*■ exception, a peculiarly North American one, many 

 species being desirable plants for the hardy-flower border, 

 while others are showy but not hardy here in the Eastern 

 States, and others again are of botanical interest only. One of 

 the great charms of the English flower border in the summer 

 months is the beautiful race of florists' varieties of Pentste- 

 mons, and it is much to be regretted that these are not suita- 

 ble for cultivation here, bein°- too tender to withstand our 



see page 107. 



plant is best propagated by cuttings taken in fall and wintered 

 in pots in a cold frame. P. diffusus is a species of dwart 

 branching habit and pretty blue flowers borne in great abun- 

 dance. This plant is liable to be injured in severe winter.-, 

 but does well with a little protection. P. pruinosits is a rare 

 species also of branching habit and bright blue flowers on 

 stems two feet high. These two last species are also best 

 propagated from cuttings. P. barbatus, var., is one of Torreyi 

 the best known in gardens and deservedly so. Its tall panicles 

 of brilliant scarlet flowers often grow five feet high, and last 

 in bloom all through summer. It is easily propagated h\ 

 division. P. Icevigatus, var. Digitalis, is a good garden plant 

 with showy spikes of white flowers which last a long time in 

 bloom. This plant has a more eastern range than any of the 

 preceding, and has a robust constitution. There are many 

 other fine species of Pentstemon which would be desirable 

 acquisitions to gardens if they would prove hardy, and of these 

 may be mentioned P. Hart-wegi, P. Eatoni, P. centranthifolim , 



