COMMON GAEDEN FLOWERS. 



63 



giown in pots with the protection of a cold frame, 

 being liable to injury from wet. 



P. eashmeriana is, as its name implies, one of the 

 Himalayan group, and produces large capitate trusses 

 of light purple flowers, with yellow centres. 



P. cUiata appears to be closely allied to P. inter- 

 media, the latter a supposed hybrid between P. viacosa 

 and F. Auricula. Some hold them to be different, 

 but they are very close together. It is represented 

 by a dwarf, tufted, free-growing type, throwing up 

 trusses of bright red- 

 dish-purple flowers 

 like those of an Al- 

 pine Auricula. 



P. ciliata purpurea 

 and P. ciliata eoecinea 

 are both very fine 

 varieties ; one has 

 bright purple, the 

 other bright red 

 flowers ; they are 

 charming subjects 

 for cultivation in 

 pots. There are a 

 few varieties of P. 

 intermedia, such as 

 Minstrel, Heroine, 

 Portia, and others 

 that have been raised 

 from seed, and vary 

 in colour, but all 

 <:harniing subjects 

 for pot-cnltnre. 



P. Clusiana is a 

 charming dwarf 

 species, with large 

 rich bluish - purple 

 flowers. 



P. cortusoides is the 

 Cortusa - like Prim- 

 rose, a native of 



Siberia, entirely distinct in appearance from any of 

 the species commonly grown, the leaves beiiig com- 

 paratively large and soft, not nestUng firmly on the 

 ground like many of the European species, but ele- 

 vated on stalks two to four inches in length ; the 

 deep rosy clusters of flowars being produced on 

 stalks from six to ten inches in height. In conse- 

 quence of its taJler and freer habit, the plant is liable 

 to be much injured and disfigured if placed on an ex- 

 posed spot or open border ; therefore it should have 

 a sheltered position where, while it will not be ex- 

 posed to cutting winds, it at the same time will not 

 be shaded to its injury. There are a white, a lilac, 

 and one or two other varieties. 



But this section, charming as the forms are, is 



PEIMULA INVOLUCBATA. 



quite eclipsed in stately beauty and great variety by 

 the larger group of P. cortusoides ainoena, but now 

 more properly known as P. Sieboldi. The type was 

 at first considered to be a variety of P^ cortusoides, 

 but is now regarded as quite distinct, being much 

 larger in all its parts, and having noble trusses of 

 beautiful deep rose-coloured flowers. It came to 

 us from Japan, having with two or three other 

 varieties been introduced therefrom; but, like P. 

 cortusoides, it is believed to be a native of Siberia. 

 It is worthy of men- 

 tion that this fine 

 Japanese Primrose 

 was in cultivation in 

 this country for 

 several years before 

 seedlings were ob- 

 tained from it. But 

 several raisers, both 

 at home and on the 

 Continent, succeeded 

 in raising seedlings, 

 and now there is in 

 cultivation a large 

 group of varieties, all 

 of a most valuable 

 character, placing 

 them in the front of 

 all the hardy Prim- 

 ulas for beauty and 

 effectiveness. They 

 are all of easy cul- 

 ture, thriving in al- 

 most any kind of 

 garden soU that is 

 not too wet in win- 

 ter. But as it flowers 

 early it is liable to 

 be cut off by spring 

 frosts, and therefore 

 we recommend that 

 it be grown in pots in a cold frame, and flowered 

 there, or in a cool green-house. It is a plant that 

 will bear gentle forcing, and for decorative pur- 

 poses in spring there are scarcely any other plants 

 that can compete with P. Sieholdi and its varieties. 

 The creeping roots spread themselves about in the 

 soil, and as the points of these put forth growths, a 

 small dump is soon made into a large one, and by 

 dividing them in autumn, a variety can be largely 

 increased. When grown in pots they should be well 

 drained, and a rich, light, free soil used. After the 

 plants have done flowering the pots should be plunged 

 in cocoa-fibre or cinder-ashes, during the summer, but 

 not allowed to suffer for want of water. They can be 

 divided if necessary about October, and in re-potting 



