SOME HANDSOME NATJVE LOBELIAS. 



665 



A remarkable American seedling is S. cccrtilea siipcrha, 

 the blooms of which are light purple in bud, but when 

 fully open a clear blue. 



Prince of Wales is a recent variety, having good-sized 

 panicles of purple-lilac flowers ; the petals slightly curl- 

 ing near the edge, make the tiowers appear striped. 



Albert the Good produces flowers of reddish purple, 

 and is considered the best of its color. 



Siberian White is an old and distinct species, with 

 small foliage and handsome bloom. 



The foregoing are some of the more distinct species 



and varieties of the lilac. The catalogues of American 

 nurserymen number scores of others, not one of which 

 would be found unworthy of culture. It is really hard 

 to go amiss in making a selection, because all the spe- 

 cies are so beautiful. 



In cultivating this fine shrub it is well to arrange the 

 plants in bold masses on the lawn or near the bound- 

 aries of the grounds. The larger the clumps, the more 

 delight will they afford. Certainly nothing can exceed 

 a good bed of lilacs in beauty and sweetness during the 

 blooming time, and the foliage is always handsome 



SOME HANDSOME NATIVE LOBELIAS. 



, EVERAL very fine lobelias are native 

 of this country. They differ 

 greatly in habit and appearance. 

 The following are the best : 

 Red Cardinal Flower {Lobelia 

 cardinalis, L.). This brilliant 

 gem is one of the most beautiful 

 of American flowers, and al- 

 though now much cultivated, deserves to be far 

 more so. It grows three or four feet high, bearing 

 long, dense racemes of the most brilliant scarlet, 

 so brilliant that the plant can be recognized at a 

 great distance. The flowers are of curious struct- 

 ure, like all lobelias, and about one inch long. The 

 plant grows in clumps, 5 to 15 stems arising from 

 the clump. The plant is practically a biennial, dy- 

 ing after flowering, as do all native lobelias, but off- 

 sets spring from the crown of the roots, forming 

 new plants. 



It bears many capsules, containing numerous very 

 small reddish brown seed, from which the plant may be 

 propagated, and will flower the second or third year. 

 It is one of the plants that look best in masses by itself. 

 One or two plants will make a fine appearance, but a 

 mass of these brilliant gems needs but to be seen to be 

 appreciated. It is usually found growing in a ditch or 

 along a running stream ; sometimes in the river valleys, 

 subject to annual overflows ; sometimes in bottoms of 

 shallow ponds that dry up during the dry season. 

 When once growing near the headwaters of a stream, it 

 is found its whole length, the seeds being carried down 

 by the water. 



This lobelia is much improved by cultivation, re- 

 quires a light but good rich soil, but will not stand a 

 long drouth. It flourishes and gives satisfaction where 

 watered, as in city flower-gardens and parks. There 

 are several shades of scarlet, ranging from light to very 

 dark. A white variety is sometimes found. In bouquet 

 making the flowers go well together with yellow flowers, 

 and of these none are better than those of 1 lyperictiin 

 perforation or common St. Johnswort, a handsome 



flower, but a very bad weed. It is one of those plants 

 best adapted to some conspicuous place where a brilliant 

 display is wanted. It would be all out of place where 

 the modest violet would look best. It is beautiful 

 for parks, and especially to plant along the shores of 

 rivers and streams, or on the borders of natural or artifi- 

 cial lakes. For culture, no wild flower is more highly 

 desirable than this. 



Gre.^t Blue Lobelia, Blue Cardinal Flower 

 lyLohelia syplnlilica , L ). Another very showy species, 

 usually less tall, two to four feet, but much coarser than 

 the preceding. The flowers are in thick and very dense 

 racemes, and vary from dark blue to pure white. Un- 

 like the first named species, which is smooth, the whole 

 plant is hairy. Though far less showy than L. cardinalis, 

 it is nevertheless a handsome plant, a good companion 

 to that species. While I would not advise the planting 

 of so many of these as of L. cardnialis , yet small groups 

 here and there in flower-gardens or parks will look well. 

 Grows like the last along streams and lakes, but unlike 

 it is not confined to such localities : is more widely dis- 

 tributed, but less abundant where found ; handsome for 

 bouquet-making ; August. 



Spiked Lobelia {Z(7/v/zV7 ^/zVi^^/rt, Yam. ). Very slender ; 

 one and a half to three feet high; the stem ending in a 

 very slender and very long spike-like raceme, bearing 

 many small flowers, which range from deep blue to pure 

 white, and are decidedly pretty. The whole plant is 

 delicate, neat and graceful. Grows in sunny localities, 

 in dry, sandy soil, containing a good deal of leaf-mold 

 or humus. If cultivated, it being a modest flower un- 

 like the preceding, it should have some dry, sunny, but 

 retired locality, and the plants should be very close to- 

 gether ; pretty in bouquets ; flowers in June. 



Kalm's Lobelia [LoheHo Ktilinu, L.). Who has not 

 seen and admired Lobelia Eriniis ? One of my botanical 

 students identified and admired Lobelia Erinns, this 

 summer ; soon he discovered and identified Lobelia 

 Kalinii. In surprise he exclaimed, " Why this is much 

 handsomer than Lobelia Lniiiis." So the flowers are ; 

 but the leaves are very small and the foliage is not 

 so pretty as that of Lobelia E.rintis. As a bedding 

 plant or for vases, unless kept very moist, it can never 



