VERBENA. 



173 



The plant is principally native of South America. 

 The three oldest species were introduced from Peru, 

 Buenos Ayres and Brazil, from 1818 to 1834; from 

 these have sprung many hundreds of varieties, and 

 the Verbena has become the most popular bedding- 

 out plant of the day. Its flowers are in every 

 color except yellow. The qualities of a perfect 

 Verbena are, roundness of form without indenture; 

 petals thick, flat, bright and smooth ; the trusses of 

 bloom compact, and standing out from the foliage ; 

 the flowers meeting but not crowding each other, 

 or changing in the sun. The plant should be com- 

 pact, with short, strong joints, either distinctly of a 

 shrubby habit, a close ground-creeper, or a climber. 



SOIL, WATERING AND PROPAGATION. 



A soil of sandy loam and leaf-mold in equal parts, 

 will suit the Verbena. ✓ 



The plant grows on dry hills in South America ; 

 it wants only a moderate supply of water, good 

 drainage and an even temperature of about 50 de- 

 grees. Too much heat and moisture cause mildew 

 and decay of the roots. 



Verbenas are easily increased by seeds, cuttings 

 or layers. Cuttings for w T inter-blooming plants 

 should be made of young, healthy shoot's, such as 

 will break on being bent, taken late in July or early 

 in August, rooted in damp sand, and potted in small 

 pots as soon as the roots are half an inch long, 

 which they will attain in about two weeks. If the 



