PETUNIAS 415 



1823 that we received P. nyctaginiflora from Argentina. P. violacea 

 followed in 1831, and P. intermedia in 1832. Horticulturally con- 

 sidered these are the principal species ; but we move so quickly now that 

 although Petunias are only of yesterday's introduction, so to speak, we 

 have almost discarded these original species, and grow only a finer, more 

 showy hybrid race produced from them. 



Principaispecies. PETUNIA INTERMEDIA (intermediate). Stem erect, 



branched, 1 foot high, becoming sub-shrubby. Leaves 



slender, somewhat spoon-shaped. Flowers, J-inch across, purple, with 



paler margin, tube striped with yellow ; August. Half-hardy perennial. 



P. NYCTAGINIFLORA (Nyctaginia-flowered). Stem branched and 

 spreading, 2 feet high. Leaves oval-oblong or heart-shaped. Flowers 

 white, solitary ; August. Half-hardy perennial. 



P. VIOLACEA (violet). Stems prostrate with erect branches, about 

 1 foot high. Leaves oval-lance-shaped. Flowers purplish violet; 

 August. 



Hybrid Petunias. ^^^^ ^^ ^^® Petunias now in cultivation are the 

 offspring of crosses between the foregoing species ; chiefly 

 of P. nyctaginiflora and P. violacea, and form two classes, Singles and 

 Doubles. The Singles are mostly raised from seeds each year and 

 treated as annuals, without paying much attention to names. The 

 following selection is entirely from the Double class. Some of these are 

 exceedingly fine and full. 



I purple and 



Charlotte Boch, dark j 



E. Bierbach, deep can: 



white markings. 



rosy markings. 





Wm. Brown, ^ 



h, bright ci 

 d rosy pink. 



Cultivation Petunias are among the simplest things to grow, but 



the greatest amount of success is likely to be attained if 

 we can give them a light rich soil, with abundant moisture through the 

 hot period. These conditions can, of course, be more fully ensured to 

 pot-plants than to those outside; but they should be borne in mind 

 when selecting a position for a Petunia bed in the garden. The best 

 compost consists of two parts loam to one part of well-rotted manure. 

 For the seed-pans this should be sifted to ensure fineness, and some sand 

 added. The seed should be sown, thinly, in March, and the pans placed 



