330 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
fear it might not receive the attention it deserves; for, 
truly, it is a great acquisition to the filower-garden, and no 
plant presents a more brilliant show than this, when 
planted in masses. The flowers are rosy-crimson, large 
and beautiful, opening with the bright morning sun. It 
makes a rich bed from July to October. The plant is 
dwarf and trailing; leaves small; about six inches high. 
All the other varieties have the same habit, and equally 
beautiful. From this, and probably P. Gilliesti, have 
come all the showy varieties of the garden, some of which 
have received distinct names, such as P. Thelussoni, P. 
alba, P. aurantiaca, ete. 
The Portulaca, though one of the most common, is still 
one of the most showy and beautiful annuals, admirably 
adapted to our climate, growing freely and flowering 
abundantly under conditions of soil and treatment where 
many other flowers would scarcely make any display; the 
old orange and scarlet, when planted out in large patches, 
vie in brilliancy and decorative effect with the showiest 
Verbenas. For a long time there were but two or three 
shades of red and orange, but with the skill of cultiva- 
tors they have crossed and fertilized till we have nearly a 
dozen different sorts. They had hardly become well 
known before we had another improvement, obtained by 
the German florists, in double flowers, as double as a rose. 
“The double varieties are in fact charming objects, and 
may well claim a prominent place among the novel things 
of recent introduction. The flowers are perfectly double, 
about the size of a silver dollar, and a bed of them in full 
bloom presents a gay appearance, not unlike that of the 
beautiful Ranunculuses, or the little Burgundy Rose, so. 
that the Germans call them ‘ Portulaca Roses.’ 
“The Portulacas need a warm and rather light soil, and a 
dryish situation to flower well. They need not be planted 
early, unless in a frame or hot-bed, as the seed will not 
