434 



FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 



varieties are largely grown, and Pentstevions form a very luiportant 

 factor in up-to-date horticultural displays. They are often called Beard- 



Pentstemon barbatus (bearded). Stems erect, 3 feet 

 PriEcipaiSpecies. ^^.^^^ ^^^^^^^ lance-shaped. Flowers from light pink to 

 carmine in colour ; the lower lip bearded ; flowers numerous in loose 

 panicles ; July. In the var. Torreyi the stem is much taller and the lip 

 is not bearded. Also known as Chelone harhatus. 



P. DiFFUsus (diffuse). Stem semi-erect, 1| foot high. Leaves oval 

 or oval-lance-shaped ; upper ones somewhat stem-clasping. Flowers in 

 dense little cymes, purple, the sterile stamen bearded; September. 

 Whole plant minutely downy. 



P. Eatonii (Eaton's). Stem Ih foot high. Leaves broadly oval, 

 upper ones narrower. Flowers in terminal panicles, rich crimson- 

 scarlet; July. 



P. gentianoides (Gentian-like). Stems 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves 

 lance-shaped. Flowers two or three on the main footstalk, varying 

 from scarlet and carmine to purple and bluish violet ; June. Plate 209. 

 Also known as Pentstemon Hartwegii. 



P. glaber (smooth). Stems 6 to 12 inches high, smooth. Leaves 

 lance-shaped, sometimes slightly glaucous. Flowers purple-violet or 

 blue; August. 



P. gracilis (slender). Stems slender, 1 foot high. Radical leaves 

 spoon-shaped or oblong: upper ones narrow-lance-shaped. Flowers 

 lilac-purple or whitish, funnel-shaped or almost cylindrical ; August. 



P. Wrightii (Wright's). Stems 2 feet high. Radical leaves oblong ; 

 stem-leaves lance-shaped, stem-clasping. Flowers rosy red ; tube short, 

 lobes ample, spreading ; sterile stamen long and densely bearded ; June. 

 So numerous are the garden varieties, and so many 

 are being added to the list every year, that we have 

 considered it would serve no useful purpose to give a selection here. 

 They are almost without exception good, and the selection may well be 

 left to the florist. Pentstemons are so good-hearted and vigorous that 

 they will succeed in almost any soil, but they do best in one that is rich 

 and open, and well-drained. This last item will be found of great value 

 during a winter characterised by fluctuations between wet and frost, for 

 though they appreciate and demand liberal waterings in the summer, 

 they require as much protection as possible from wet in winter. It is 

 really advisable to winter them in cold frames, and plant out again in 

 spring, but where this is not possible tlie plants should be protected by 

 covering with ashes. Sandy loam and well-rotted manure form the 



