CULTURE OF COMMELINA C^LESTIS. 
131 
has directed his attention with great success to hybridize between i?. arhoreum and 
R. maximum. The consequence is, he has raised a most beautiful variety which flowers 
later than those raised by R. Ponticum ; in a few years we may expect to see number- 
less beautiful varieties of this noble species growing in every common garden. A more 
interesting and delightful occupation cannot be well imagined than that of raising 
lovely varieties of plants ; and when we consider the beauty of evergreen plants at 
all seasons, it must give double interest to raise an almost imperishable plant like a 
Rhododendron. 
CULTURE OF COMMELINA C.ELESTIS. 
Sow the seed on a moderate hot-bed, with the other annuals, about the middle 
of February, or earlier ; but in the latter case it will be necessary to pot the plants, 
and keep them under glass until the beginning of May, when they may be turned 
out in the flower-ground ; or it may be sown in the open ground in the beginning 
of March. The ground should be moderately rich and light, although any 
ordinary garden mould will answer ; cover the seed half an inch deep with light 
sandy earth, and, should the weather prove genial, the plants will appear in about 
a fortnight, and require no farther care than to be kept free from weeds, and 
watered in very dry weather. By the beginning of July the plants will be in 
blossom; and either in beds, masses, or as solitary plants, add greatly to the beauty 
of the flower-border. Persons possessing the plant may have it in blossom in 
May, or even earlier, by treating the roots as we do those of the dahlia, viz. :— 
planting them in pots^ and plunging the pots in a moderate hot-bed, placing them 
in decayed leaf-mould under glass ; here they will soon vegetate, and may be 
placed in the open ground as soon as danger from frost is not any longer to be 
apprehended. By treatment which every gardener understands, such as sowing at 
different seasons, the plant may be made to flower at any time, or be kept in 
blossom all the year round. The roots require, in order to preserve them from 
frost, only the ordinary care of placing a few inches of sand, turf-mould, ashes, or 
the like, over them as they stand in the bed ; or they may be raised and preserved 
in sand in the manner that carrots are sometimes kept during the winter. 
NEW AND RARE PLANTS 
IN FLOWER IN THE PRINCIPAL NURSERIES AND PRIVATE GARDENS IN 
THE VICINITY OF LONDON. 
Messrs. Henderson's, Pine- Apple Place. Galardia picta. This is an 
extremely beautiful and somewhat rare plant, and as it produces its blossoms in 
great profusion, and these are exceedingly showy, it is a decided acquisition to a 
