172 
DELPHINIUM SINENSE ; var. FLORE-PLENO. 
flowers are ever the most admired. No one thinks of comparing a single-flowering 
Rose or Dahlia with any of those charming forms which are so extensively cultivated 
in gardens ; and in the same manner, a single-flowered Larkspur, of any species, 
will not sustain its position in popular esteem when brought into competition with 
a double-flowering one of the same habit, unless the colour is much superior. 
This is not the case in D. sinense ; therefore our variety must be a greater favourite 
if it were properly known ; and to accomplish that object, we give it a place in 
the pages of our widely-circulated Magazine. 
D. sinense was introduced to Britain from the Continent, with the information that 
it was of Chinese origin, more than twenty years back. It is considered an annual 
plant, and in addition to the features before named, is valuable for its dwarfness, 
seldom exceeding nine inches or one foot in height in the open border. From this 
circumstance, it is particularly well calculated for growing in beds or masses in the 
flower-garden, where its splendid blooms are displayed in the months of June and 
J uly. It ripens freely large quantities of seeds, which have simply to be collected 
and sown at the period ordinarily assigned for committing annuals to the earth. 
If the specimens be allowed to stand rather closely, or at about four or six inches 
from each other, they will not need support, notwithstanding the weighs of their 
flowers. 
Of the way in which the variety before us was brought to Europe or generated 
therein, we have no decided accounts. It has been grown in collections for several 
years, and w T as first made known to us in the nursery of Messrs. Young of Epsom. 
Messrs. Chandler of Vauxhall have likewise had it for some time, and from plants 
in their establishment we procured our drawing. It is barely of so diffuse a nature 
as its ally above noticed, and is equally if not better adapted for planting in groups. 
Such is the peculiarity of its hue, that no artificial colours can duly imitate it. All 
the attention it requires is to be occasionally transported to a fresh spot, as it is a 
true herbaceous plant, and will not thrive year after year in the same situation. 
Being apparently perennial, it is multiplied in early spring by division ; or if a 
great many plants are desired, it may be increased from cuttings, taken off when 
the stems of the parents are a few inches high, removing the flower-stalks, and 
planting them in a prepared soil under a hand-glass. They will strike soon enough 
to be ready for transplanting in the beginning of July, and by the end of autumn 
will have formed plants of moderate dimensions, capable of flowering most 
abundantly in the succeeding year. 
For the explanation of the generic name see Yol. v. p. 266. 
