20 CULTURAL HINTS ON SOME OF THE PLANTS OF THE GENUS STATICE. 
that “ it will probably prove hardy, and if so, will be very suitable for bedding out 
in the flower-garden.” This is a very distinct and pretty species, and if it can be 
grow^n so as not to exceed a foot in height, it will prove, in consequence of its colour, 
a great acquisition to our collections of Statices. “ When grown in pots or frames, 
it becomes drawn and unsightly ; but if planted out in sandy peat, it does not seem 
to grow above a foot high,” We have not tried this plant in the open border, and 
therefore cannot speak as to how it is likely to answer ; but if it should be hardy, 
and not exceed a foot or eighteen inches in height, it will doubtless prove a valuable 
plant for the autumn flower-garden. As a greenhouse plant it requires the same 
treatment as S. siniiata, but when the flower-stems begin to appear, it should be 
placed in the open air, and there remain until it is in bloom. It is freely propagated 
by seed, and also by cuttings or division of the plants. 
Statice eximia is another species, with diminutive pale pink flowers, introduced, 
if we are rightly informed, by Mr. Fortune ; at least we received it from the garden 
of the Horticultural Society two years back, with some more of Mr. Fortune’s plants. 
This species has also the fault of growing too tall when cultivated as a greenhouse 
plant, and hitherto has proved a shy bloomer. Whether, when planted out, it will be 
more compact, time only can demonstrate. 
The preceding may be considered the best of the tender Statices, and as they are 
very dissimilar and distinct in habit, as well as in character and colour of flowers, 
they will prove a very interesting group of plants for the greenhouse of amateurs, 
more especially as they are of easy cultivation, and continue for a long time in per- 
fection. In the southern counties of England they would doubtless grow admirably 
when planted out in the summer season, and a group containing the preceding 
species all blooming together would present a very chaste and beautiful appearance. 
In planting them out, the ground should be well drained and properly prepared as 
to porosity, so as to insure the plants from being injured by stagnant water. We 
should not recommend it to be rich, but would trust to liquid manure for a stimulant 
when necessary. 
In these days of hybridising and cross-breeding, when many of our old friends are 
disappearing from cultivation, and being replaced by new’’ varieties, manufactured as it 
were by the magic of the florist, it is singular that no person has directed his 
attention to the improvement of the Statices. To ring the changes, as it were, 
between S. ritidophylla and arborea, to transfer the pink flow^ers of the one for the blue 
flowers of the other, and vice versa, would appear to be a task not more difficult of 
accomplishment than many which have been performed ; and at any rate, to work the 
larger and brighter coloured flowers of the species from the southern hemisphere on 
the small-flowered inhabitants of northern climes, is an achievement worth working 
for, and one which would reward the enterprise of any amateur or florist who might 
undertake it. 
