284 ALPINE FLOWERS. Part 11. 



that accumulated strength for flowering which they possess when 

 the blooming time is preceded by a long period of undisturbed 

 growth. 



PRIMULA CGWSTS^OTDY&.—Cortusa-like Primrose. 



This is entirely distinct in appearance from any of the species 

 commonly grown, the leaves being comparatively large and soft, 

 not nestling firmly on the ground like many of the European 

 species, but elevated on stalks two to four inches in length ; the 

 deep rosy clusters of flowers being produced on stalks from six 

 to ten inches high. In consequence of its taller and freer habit 

 the plant is liable to be much injured and disfigured if placed 

 in an exposed spot or open border, therefore the first considera- 

 tion should be to give it a sheltered position, in a sunny nook 

 on rockwork, surrounded by low shrubs, &c., or in any position 

 where it will not be exposed to cutting winds, and at the same 

 time not be shaded to its injury. The soil should be light and 

 rich, and a surfacing of cocoa-fibre or leaf-mould would be bene- 

 ficial in dry positions. It is one of the most beautiful and easily 

 raised of the Primulas, being readily increased from seed, and 

 quite hardy, at least where any pains are taken to give it a well- 

 drained and suitable position. It forms a charming ornament 

 for the lower and less exposed parts of rockwork, for a sunny 

 sheltered border near a wall or house, or for the margin of the 

 choice shrubbery. A native of Siberia. 



Primula cortusoides amoena is considered a variety of the 

 preceding, but, if so, it is a very distinct one, being much larger 

 in all its parts than its relative, and bearing large trusses of 

 beautiful, deep rose-coloured flowers. The cultural directions 

 given for the preceding will apply to it. It is, however, so con- 

 spicuously beautiful that many people grow it in cold frames and 

 pits, and show it among their choice greenhouse flowers. Hand- 

 some specimens may be grown in good loam and leaf-mould 

 in six-inch pots. It came to us from Japan, but is suspepted 

 to be a native of Siberia. Mr. Wm. Thompson thinks that, 

 "apart from the size of the flowers and the breadth of the 

 foliage, the creeping root, the exclusively vernal habit of the 

 plant, the pseudo-lobed or grooved seed-vessel, and the roundish 

 flattened form of the seed, especially the two last features, war- 

 rant the behef in its distinctness from P. cortusoides.^'' 



