^ THE FLORIST AND 



from nature in the establishment of M. Van Houtte of Ghent. Dr. Plan- 

 chon, the editor of the Flore des Serres, remarks in his notice of it that 

 " natural variation and especially the mixture of reddish tints with the ver- 

 dure of the foliage is a common thing among the genera of the Labiatae 

 having large and thick leaves, of which different Lamium, Mints, Glechoma, 

 the Perilla of China and other kindred plants are instances." A glance at 

 the plate will satisfy every one that this is a valuable introduction, and one 

 which will prove an ornament to our houses whether in bloom or not.- 



HISTORY AND CULTIVATION. 



I have heard that in some parts of Germany it is not of unfreqiient oc- 

 currence that when a man is convicted of "treason against his sovereign lord 

 the King," those over loyal subjects of u his majesty," who may chance to 

 bear the same name as the blighted patriot petition for a change of name. 

 This spurning of the unfortunate seems to obtain under the rule of even 

 "Flora." Certain if is, that when a new candidate with substantial claims 

 to beauty or interest, is brought to our notice, it often comes with a new 

 name entirely, and 1 a few of some adjoining genera — too good to be left in 

 doubtful company, are invited as associates with it.- The present genus 

 Coleus affords us a good illustration of this. Few would expect to find our 

 old friend and acquaintance Plectranthus fruticosus — the "nettle geranium," 

 the favored tenant of the cracked teapots and bottomless jugs of the 

 frugal "gudewives" of European laborers, in such a respectable connection, 

 yet so it is ; " such is the fate of" — botany. 



The only valuable variety in cultivation amongst a score, after forty years 

 classification with them it was removed by Loudon to his new genus Coleus; 

 and now that such a respectable representative of the family has been ob- 

 tained, it may probably bear out the usual rule of family relationship, and 

 emerge with it from the obscurity in which the last few years have placed it. 

 It will afford us, probably some practical observations on the culture of our 

 present subject, in the absence of positive acquaintance with it. The 0. 

 fruticosus is a native of the Cape of Good Hope, and loves a warm and arid 

 situation ; as a window plant it is fitted with great powers of endurance. % I 

 have seen it in the most crowded alleys of smoke dried cities, healthy, where 

 nothing else would grow without a Wardian Case. It might do well with us 

 as a border flower. It blooms from June to' October, and is readily raised 

 from cuttings, requiring the protection of a greenhouse in winter. 



A Philadelphia Gardener. 



