52 



CASSELL'S POPULAE GAKDENING. 



Cobaea. — A genus of climbing plants belonging 

 to the Phlox-worts. In appearance, however, they 

 have nothing in common with the other members of 

 the order. Cobasas are perennial plants of very- 

 rapid growth, it being recorded that a plant of G. 

 scandens has been known to make two hundred feet 

 of growth in a single season, so that if any one re- 

 quires the roof of a green-house or conservatory 

 to be rapidly 

 covered, this is 

 by all means the 

 best plant to use 

 for the purpose. 

 They thrive best 

 in a somewhat 

 stiff soil. Propa- 

 gation either by 

 seeds or cuttings. 



C. scandens. — It 

 is about a hun- 

 dred years ago 

 since this rapid- 

 growing and 

 beautiful climber 

 first opened its 

 flowers in this 

 country ; in its 

 native country it 

 is called the 

 " Violet Ivy." 

 Its leaves are 

 pinuate, usually 

 being three pairs 

 of pinnae, the 

 midrib termi- 

 nating -n a long 

 tendril, by which 

 it becomes firmly 

 fixed to anything 

 within its reach. 

 Flowers large, 

 bell - shaped, on 

 long foot-stalks, 



from the axils of the leaves; when young, green, 

 changing to rich deep violet-purple when fully 

 expanded; stamens much exserted. It blooms 

 during the entire season. Mexico. 



C. scandens variegata, — ^An exact 'counterpart of 

 the preceding species, but the leaves are all beauti- 

 fully margined with creamy-white, which renders it 

 very attractive. These plants are valuable as 

 green-house climbers on accoimt of their freedom 

 from all kinds of insects. Summer months. 



C. macrostemma. — A smaller-growing species than 

 C. scandens, but very similar in appearance. The 

 flowers, however, are much smaller and far inferior 



COBSA SCANDENS. 



in beauty. When young they are green, but they 

 change to yellow with age. Summer months. 

 South America. 



Coronilla. — The plants comprising this genus 

 derive their name from the arrangement of the 

 flowers, which form a corona or crown on the points 

 of the branches. The species here quoted is in- 

 valuable for 

 green-house deco- 

 ration. The soil 

 should be two 

 parts loam and 

 one peat, with a 

 little sand added. 

 During the grow- 

 ing season give 

 plenty of air, and 

 if removed out- 

 doors after 

 growth is finished 

 it will be very 

 beneficial. Cut- 

 tings in sandy 

 soil. 



C. glaiica. — A 

 fine - growing 

 shrubby plant, 

 with pinnate 

 glaucous leaves ; 

 flowers Pea- 

 shaped, bright 

 yeUow, and fra- 

 grant. There is 

 a variety with 

 variegated leaves, 

 which affords a 

 pleasing contrast 

 to the normal 

 form. South of 

 Europe. 1772. 



C or r e a. — 



These are often called Australian Euchsias, although 

 they are not related in any way to that popular 

 genus of plants, the habit of growth and droop- 

 ing tubular flowers no doubt giving the first 

 settlers at the Antipodes a pleasant reminder of 

 the flower they had left behind in the old country. 

 There are numerous species, but many new and 

 handsome forms have originated in English gardens 

 from cross-breeding. The usual method of propaga- 

 tion is by cuttings, but some of the kinds are weak 

 rooters, and hence to improve the constitution these 

 are fi'equently grafted upon a strong- growing species 

 called C. alba, the flowers of which are not showy. 



