Part II. HOTTONIA—HOUSTONIA. 229 



flowers are small, but very freely produced in graceful panicles, 

 of which the bracts, little flower-stems, and all the ramifications 

 are, like the flowers, white. Although now so much grown in 

 pots, it is perfectly hardy, and very suitable for borders and the 

 margins of clumps, or for association with the larger classes of 

 alpine plants, on or near rockwork. In the open air it flowers, 

 according to climate and position, from May to July and August, 

 and it is particularly fond of a sandy peat or very sandy loam, a 

 sheltered position, and moist soil. It is, however, probable that 

 a somewhat warmer climate than ours is necessary for its perfect 

 development, for it certainly looks a handsomer plant when 

 forced than when grown in the open ground. It is very easily 

 forced, and it has latterly been so much admired that quantities 

 of it are prepared and sold for forcing. Some years ago, a few 

 fine plants of it were exhibited at our spring shows, if I mistake 

 not, by Messrs. Veitch in the first instance, and since then it has 

 been gradually making way. Previous to that time, however, it 

 was popular in Paris, where many persons cultivate it in windows, 

 and where it is often used with good effect in room decorations. . 



HOTTONIA PALTJSTRIS.— fFa/^r Violet. 



A BEAUTIFUL British water-plant, which I include here in con- 

 sequence of having seen it thrive better on soft mud banks than 

 when submerged. The deeply-cut leaves formed quite a 

 deep green an* dwarf turf over the mud, and from these arose 

 stems bearing at intervals whorls of handsome pale-lilac or pink 

 flowers. It might perhaps be more justly called the Water 

 Primrose, as it is nearly allied to the Primulas. As water and 

 bog may with the best taste be associated with rockwork, this 

 plant might with advantage be grown either in the water or on 

 a bank of soft thoroughly wet soil at its margin. It grows 

 from nine inches to two feet high, flowers in early summer, and 

 may be found in abundance near London on the banks of the 

 Lea River, and probably in many other places, and is pretty 

 freely distributed over England, though scarce in the Western 

 Counties, and only found in the County of Down in Ireland. 



HOUSTONIA GMKUU&K.— Bluets. 



A DELICATE American herb, producing a profusion of pale sky- 

 blue flowers, fading to white, and with yellowish eyes, crowding 



