






68 THE LADIES’ FLOWER-GARDEN 
SECT. XIV.—PELARGONIUM. 
Sectionat Cuaracter,—Petals five, unequal ; two upper ones approximate. Stamens ten, unequal, seven of which are antheriferous ; 
the three sterile ones being awl-shaped. 
Descriprion, &c.—As this section contains nearly all the most ornamental species of Pelargonium, it may 
perhaps be well here to say a few words on the general culture of these well-known plants. The usual mode of 
treating them is to make cuttings of them in the open border about the middle of July, in a situation fully exposed 
to the mid-day sun. In about six weeks the cuttings will be rooted, and they should be then potted into the smallest 
sized pots. After potting they should be placed in a shady situation for a few days, after which they may be fully 
exposed to the sun and air till the end of September, when they should be housed for the winter. They are at 
this time shifted into larger pots, the soil being loam, chopped turf, if it can be procured, and sand. When the 
plants have been potted, the shoots should be cut off at the third or fourth joint from the base. After this shifting 
only a little air is given for about eight or ten days, after which the plants are allowed as much air as the season 
will permit till about the beginning of December, when the plants are again shifted into larger pots, and again 
stopped, by having the tops of the shoots taken off. The temperature of the greenhouse is kept at about 45°, but 
at the end of about ten days, it may be allowed to fall a little lower. About the middle of February, the plants 
intended for large specimens are again shifted into larger pots, and, at this time, each shoot is tied separately to 
a proper stake. By this treatment the plants will acquire a very large size, and produce an immense quantity of 
blossoms; but where they are not required for show plants, the cuttings may be put into large pots and kept ina 
cold pit during the winter; after which they should be potted off in February, and then plunged into a hot-bed till 
they have struck fresh roots ; observing that while they are in the hot-bed, they should have very little water, as they 
are rather apt to damp off. When they appear sufficiently strong, they should be re-potted and set within the 
frame, but not plunged; and thence they may be removed to the greenhouse, where they should be kept near the 
glass, and well syringed over-head twice or three times a week till they have formed their flower-buds. In April 
or May they will probably begin to flower, and if the season is mild they may be planted out in the open ground, 
where, if they are watered every evening, when the weather is dry, and syringed over-head two or three times a 
week, they will grow luxuriantly, and continue to produce abundance of flowers during the whole of summer and 
autumn. Cuttings should be taken from them, as before directed, in July or August, and the old plants may be 
left in the ground till they are killed by the frost, as they seldom flower well the second season after they have 
been grown in the open ground, and are very difficult to keep through the winter. 
As there are above a hundred species of Pelargonium included in this section, besides innumerable hybrids and 
varieties, it will be impossible to give details of all of them, and I shall therefore confine myself to a few of 
those which are best known, and most distinct. 
6.—PELARGONIUM TRISTE Att. THE NIGHT-SMELLING PELARGONIUM. 
Synonyme.—Geranium triste Knorr. leaflets pinnatifid, with linear, acute segments. Umbels many- 
Eneravines.—Bot. Mag., t. 1641; Swect’s Geraniacez, t. 85. flowered. (G Don.) 
Speciric Cuaracter.—Nearly stemless. Leaves hairy, pinnate ; 
Descriprion, &c.—The flowers of this species are of a very uncommon colour for Pelargoniums, as they are 
of a yellowish brown, streaked with dark purplish crimson. In the day-time they are entirely without smell, but 





