CLASSIFICATION AND NAMES OP FLOWERS. 
The flowering plants of our gardens, besides shrubs, trees, &c,, are Herbaceous Peren- 
nials, Biennials, Annuals and Bulbous. 
Herbaceous Perennials are plants which die down to the ground every autumn, but tha 
roots continue to live, and new branches and flower stems are thrown up for many years. Some 
continue indefinitely, but others die after three or four years, like the Sweet William ; but if the 
roots are divided every year, they will continue to live and increase. These are called Lnperfed 
Perennials. 
Biennials are those that flower the second season after the seed is sown, and then die, unless 
particular care is taken to preserve them, by dividing the roots, or retarding the flowering at 
the usual time by removing the buds. Some of these classes flower the same season under favor- 
able circumstances, as when the seed is sown early. 
Annuals flower the first season, perfect their seeds, and then die. Some varieties that are 
grown as Annuals in a Northern climate, are either Perennials or Biennials in their Southern 
home, where there are no severe frosts. Annuals flower in a few weeks or months after being 
planted, and can be depended upon for a brilliant show. Annuals are classed as hardy, half- 
hardy and tender. Hardy Annuals are those that, like the Larkspur, Candytuft, &c., may be 
sown in the autumn or very early in the spring, in the open ground. The half-hardy varie- 
ties will not endure frost, and should not be sown in the open ground until danger from frost 
is over. The Balsam and the Marigolds belong to this class. The tender Annuals generally 
require starting in a green-house or hot-bed to bring them to perfection, and should not be 
set in the open ground until the weather is quite warm. The Cypress Vine and the Sensitive 
Plant belong to this class ; but, fortunately, very few of our fine Annuals. Some of them do 
tolerably well if sown in the open ground the latter part of May, but very great success is not to 
be expected in this way. It must be admitted, however, that these distinctions are not well 
defined, and it is difficult to say where some kinds belong. In a climate sufficiently South, of 
course, those kinds we describe as tender are perfectly hardy. 
Bulbs are divided into Hardy, Holland and Tender. The Hardy includes all that will bear 
a Northern winter, Holland, those exclusively grown in Holland, like Hyacinths, Crocuses, 
Tulips, &c. Tender, those, like the Gladioli and Tuberose, that will not bear freezing, and 
therefore must be planted in the spring. 
We make a rather different division in this work, and one which, we think, will be found 
quite convenient. 
1st, All kinds that produce Flowers the same season the seed is sown, are arranged in 
one Depai-tment, under the heading of Annuals, This Department includes the following sub- 
divisions : Climbers, Everlastings and Ornamental Grasses. 
2d. Under the name of Perennials, all plants produced from seed that bloom the second 
season after planting. 
3d. Greenhouse, describing the leading plants grown from seeds adapted to Greenhouse 
culture. 
4th. Bulbs and Plants. This Department has two divisions : Tender Bulbs and Tubers, 
embracing all those tender bulbs, like the Dahlia, Gladiolus, Tuberose, &c., that will not bear 
frost, and consequently must be planted only in the spring in a Northern climate. Hardy Plants 
and Bulbs, embracing all the Lilies, Paeonies, and other things that will endure our winters, and 
consequently can be planted either in the fall or spring. 
5th. Holland Bulbs. This Department embraces Hyacinths, Tulips, and all other Bulbs 
known as Holland Bulbs, and these must be planted in the autumn. 
To aid in a more general understanding of the subject we give a Glossary, explaining and 
illustrating the botanical terms in most common use, and also a Pronouncing Vocabulary of 
Botanical Names, which will serve as a guide to their proper pronunciation, and give much 
information regarding their origin and meaning. 
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