4 VERBENA AM(ENA. 
flowers, stamp it with originality. In this last respect, some resemblance will be 
apparent between it and V. teucrioides (see vol. v. p. 243 of this Magazine) ; but 
this is of the sliglitest order, as the blossoms of V. teucrioides are particularly 
distant compared with the present plant, and it wants those numberless bracts 
which are here so conspicuous. Indeed, V. amoena is altogether more showy and 
interesting than the species above alluded to, but is destitute of its sweet fragrance^ 
Of its introduction to England, we have no very authentic information. We 
saw it first in the garden of the Horticultural Society, and from some plants 
which were obtained thence by Mr. Edmonds, gardener to His Grace the Duke 
of Devonshire at Chiswick, our figure was taken in the decline of last autumn. 
We have every reason to think it a native of Mexico, and it is now in several 
of the London nurseries. 
It is fully as hardy as V. teucrioides^ or other species, simply requiring a place 
in a protected frame during winter, and flourishing in the open border through the 
summer months. On account of its partially trailing disposition, it is well adapted 
for planting in beds ; but the luxuriance of its habits renders the number of 
flower-spikes it produces rather scanty compared with the dwarfer kinds. To 
improve this character, it is advisable to cut off the extremities of the shoots at an 
early period in the season, as the plants will thus be induced to emit more lateral 
shoots, from each of which flowers may be expected. Detached specimens do not 
produce a very showy effect, as there is not a sufficient quantity of stems to fill the 
space occupied, owing to its diffusive tendency ; and it has a much better appear- 
ance in groups, because the branches can thus become intertangled with each other, 
and cover the entire surface. From the same cause, it is not calculated for growing 
in pots. 
One of the principal circumstances for which this plant will be prized, is the 
opportunity it will afford for uniting the rich colours of the species which have their 
flowers arranged in flat heads, with the lengthy spicate disposition of the blossoms 
by which it is peculiarly characterized. This must be effected by cross-impregna- 
tion, and is an object worthy of the culturist's assiduous attention. Common 
propagation is performed in the usual manner by cuttings or layers. 
The specific designation is that by which this plant is known in the Horti- 
cultural Society's Garden, and expresses its particularly interesting aspect. 
