PETUNIA PUNCTATA. 
(Spotted-flowered Petunia.) 
Class. 
PENTANDRIA. 
Natural Order. 
SOLANACE^. 
A GARDEN PRODUCTION. 
Among those charming things which now so liberally grace our flower gardens 
during the warmer part of the season, and which, at the same time, contribute 
largely to the adornment of the greenhouse and conservatory, Petunias occupy a 
distinguished place, in consequence of the freedom of their growth, their copious 
production of branches, and the prodigality, as well as the extreme showiness of 
their blooms. ; 
Scarcely any tribe has undergone a more striking improvement in the hands of 
the hybridist ; for, only a few years back, P. phmnicea and P. nyctaginiflora were 
the principal sorts cultivated ; whereas now, there has been raised, chiefly from 
these, such an amazing number of beautiful varieties, that they defy all attempts 
at classifying, or even computing. Some of these are conspicuous for their 
pleasing tints, and others have enormous flowers. But the best seedling we have 
yet seen, and which combines in itself large flowers, novel and delightful colours, 
and an exceedingly compact habit, is that here figured, and which, having got 
into notice under the name of P. punctata, we now publish with that title, 
although we should have preferred a more popular one. This highly interesting 
plant was raised by Mr. Miller, of the Providence Nursery, Ramsgate, from seeds 
of several good sorts, saved in 1842 and sown in 1843. The seedhngs, as they 
flowered, proved so destitute of novelty, that they were generally thrown away. 
Late in the summer, however, P. punctata^ and some other good varieties, made 
their appearance, and were much noticed. 
The flowers of this variety exhibit a singular blending of colours. The 
principal tint is a deep blue, which passes in streaks and blotches into a white 
Order. 
MONOGYNIA. 
