PERENNIALS. 



43 



America to see ; it is so splendid/^ Most of the species de- 

 light in a rich^ light, sandy loam. "When the plants become 

 large J they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh ground. 



Primulas, Primrose. To this genus belong the celebrated 

 Cowslip, Oxslip, P^nmrose, and the esteemed Auricula, 

 The double varieties of Primrose have originated from P. 

 viilgdris. These are such as carry their flowers on separate 

 pedicles, rising from the root on a small stem. The double 

 varieties are desirable for their beaut}^, but require the pro- 

 tection of a frame during winter. They are in color red^ 

 white, yellow, lilac, purple, and crimson. P. elatior is the 

 Oxslip, from which all the Polydntliuses have been grown. 

 They are in variety innumerable, and are those whose flow- 

 ers are in umbels, on a scape or flower-stalk, rising from three 

 to nine inches. The rules for judging of their merits are 

 wholly artificial, agreed on from time to time by florists. 

 The one that is the leading beauty this year would, in a few 

 years, be far in the rear. The principal character is that 

 the corolla is not notched or fringed ; the colors pure and 

 distinct, not running into one another; the tube small; the 

 eye round, and a little prominent. Being surrounded with 

 white, and the ground purple, is a fine character. P. auri- 

 cula. From this the highly esteemed varieties have ori- 

 ginated. The culti\;iited auricula has many admirers, both 

 for its exquisite beauty and fragrance. For the criterion of 

 a fine flower, see April. There are several other species 

 worthy of a situation, such as P. cortusoides, P. clenfifldra, 

 P. suaveolensj P. decora ^ with P. scotica and P. farinbsa, 

 both small, neat species. A shady situation agrees best with 

 them ; and they require loamy soil, free from any kind of 

 manure, except it be fully decomposed. The leaves of P. 

 veris have been recommended for feeding silk-worms. 



Plumbago Larpantea, Lady Larpants, Lead-wort, dark- 

 blue, flowering from July till frost; a very great acquisition 

 to the flower garden ; will require to be covered in winter in 

 the Eastern and Northern States. 



Potentillas are similar to the strawberry in habit and ap- 

 pearance. P. nejmUiisisj or forinbsa, has rose-colored flow- 

 ers; P. atropurpurca ) P. Russellidna, scarlet; P. Hopwoodi- 

 ana, bufi* and scarlet ; and P. spUndens, yellow, with superb 

 leaves. These are the finest of the genus, and flower from 

 May to September. It will be well to protect them with a 



