SOHIZANTHUS VERBENA. 363 



SCHIZANTHUS. 



A genus of Scro-phulariacem, oontaining many hardy annual 

 species ; but some few are greenhouse biennials, and to these 

 very ornamental species we wish to draw attention. They 

 are of branching habit, and form elegant pyramids, which are 

 covered with their pretty and variously-coloured flowers. 

 The soil best adapted for their culture is rich fibrous loam, a 

 little peat, sand, and good rotten dung being added. The 

 seeds should be sown early in July, and the young plants 

 must be kept in somewhat small pots until spring. Through 

 the winter the plants require to be as near the glass as pos- 

 sible. They are natives of Chili. 



Verbena. 



The members of this family are so familiar that any attempt 

 at description is unnecessary. The genus comprises many 

 species, both annual and perennial, tender and hardy, but it 

 is the varieties which have sprung from the florist's hands, 

 the ofisprings of F. chamaidrifolia, V. teucrioidcs, and their 

 allies, which have become so popular, and are so well calcu- 

 lated to enliven our parterres with colours which cannot be 

 obtained (at least, combined with the same close habit) in any 

 other plants. Independently, however, of their utility for 

 flower-garden purposes, and for supplying any quantity of 

 blooms for bouquets, dressing vases, &c., some of the finest 

 and largest varieties are superb objects when well grown as 

 specimens in pots, for the summer and autumn decoration of 

 the greenhouse or conservatory. New varieties may be 

 obtained by sowing seed in spring in a gentle heat, but they 

 are perpetuated ordinarily by cuttings every year, young 



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