Part II. DODECATHEON. 



without any preparation, but where a place is prepared for it, 

 as is often necessary, it is very desirable to add plenty of leaf- 

 mould. In a somewhat shaded arid sheltered position, it attains 

 its greatest size and beauty, though it often thrives in exposed 

 borders, and is best, increased by division when the plants die 

 down in autumn ; when seed is sown, it should be soon after 

 being gathered. 



There are several varieties of the American Cowslip : " alburn^' 

 " elegans," " splendidu7n," " giganteum," " Ulacinum^' &c., which 

 occur in the catalogues. These are beautiful, and well worthy of 

 cultivation, though there are more names than distinct varieties. 

 Some consider the three kinds here described as varieties of one 

 species, but they are sufficiently distinct for gardening purposes. 



DODECATHEON INTEGRIFOLITJM. — Small American C. 



A LOVELY and gaily-coloured flower, deep rosy crimson, the base 

 of each petal white, springing from a yellow and dark orange 

 cup, and appearing in May on stems from four to six inches 

 high. The leaves are much smaller than those of D. Meadia, 

 oval, and quite entire. A native of the Rocky Mountains, a gem 

 for the rock-garden, planted in sandy peat or sandy loam with 

 leaf-mould, and increased by careful division of the root and by 

 seed, which it ripens freely in this country. It is easily grown 

 in pots, plunged, in the open air, in some sheltered and half 

 shady spot during summer, and kept in shallow cold frames 

 during winter. Where alpine plants are grown in pots for 

 exhibition, it should not be omitted. 



DODECATHEON JEFFEEYANITM.— Gr«a/ American C. 



A NOBLE kind, which I have grown as high as two feet in very 

 favourable circumstances, and have known to grow much larger 

 even in London gardens than the old American Cowslip. It 

 has much larger and thicker leaves, of a darker green, and with 

 very strong and conspicuous reddish midribs, the flower being 

 like that of the old kind, except that it is somewhat larger and 

 darker in colour. It is a thoroughly hardy and first-class plant, 

 flourishing freely in light rich and deep loam, and thriving best 

 in a warm and sheltered spot, where its great leaves may not 

 be broken by high winds. Spots suited for the handsome 

 Cypripedium. spectabile, in the hollows and in the fringes of the 



