THE NAMES OF FLOWERS 23 



Lady's Bower for Clematis flammula and C. montana. 

 Cardinal's Flower for Lobelia cardinalis. Goldilocks 

 for Helichrysum, Lady's Laces for variegated grass. 

 Pearls of Spain for the white Grape Hyacinth, and 

 Rosaruby for the red Adonis. Many of these names 

 should serve as models for new inventions, partic- 

 ularly in the richness and appropriateness of their 

 sound; for it is sound probably that keeps a name in 

 common speech more than any other quality; and 

 it is only through too much reading that people grow 

 indifferent to the sound of words. Goldilocks and 

 Rosaruby are a delight to the ear. They can only 

 have fallen out of use because they belonged to flowers 

 not much grown nowadays. As for Pearls of Spain, 

 it is a delight both to the ear and to the mind, and 

 worthy of one of the most exquisite of all spring 

 flowers. 



Even in the naming of florists' varieties some fancy 

 used to be exercised in the seventeenth century, 

 particularly in the case of carnations. There were 

 red Hulos, and Chrystallines, and Striped Savages, 

 and Cambersines, and Lusty Gallants, and Pale 

 Pageants, and Infantas, and Feathered Tawnies. 

 And there is no reason why florists now should not 

 show a little more spirit and invention in giving names 

 to their novelties. Florists' varieties do not have 

 botanical names; therefore, the florist has a free 

 choice, and no excuse if his names are meaningless or 

 ugly. Yet they are usually both. What is to be said 

 for the name Blairii 2, given to an excellent old rose. 



