The American Flower Garden Directory

Opúntias, about forty species, and are those whose branches are in joints flatly oblong, or ovate, spines solitary, or in clusters. The plants are not so desirable for beauty of flower as the species of the former genus, but many of them are remarkable for their strong grotesque and spiny appearance; besides several of the species are extensively cultivated for the Cochineal insect. The one most valued for that purpose, is O. cochiníllifera, which has only small clusters of bristles upon the oblong ovate joints, and produces small red flowers; C. ficus índica, is also used, but is very spiny.

Peréskias. About four species, and those that are of a shrubby nature producing leaves; P. aculeàta bears a fruit called "Barbadoes-gooseberry." The flowers are very small and simple, spines about half an inch long, leaves fleshy and elliptical.

The whole of the plants in the family of Cacteæ require very little water, and delight in a dry warm situation. They do not agree with frequent repotting; once in two or three years to young plants, and in five or six to those that are established, with the exception of the large, free flowering species, which should be repotted once in two years.

Coffèa Arábica. It produces the celebrated coffee, and is a plant universally known in our collections, and of easy culture. The leaves are opposite, oblong, wavy and shining, the flowers white, of a grateful odour, but of short duration. There is a plant known as C. occidentalis, which is now Tetramèrium odoratíssimum. It requires a great heat to grow well, therefore should be kept in the warmest part of the Hot-house. The flowers are white, in panicles, and larger than the common jasmine, and is very sweet-scented; leaves oblong, lanceolate, accuminate.

Callicárpas. About twelve species, and are generally admitted into collections, though of no particular interest or beauty, except in the bright purple berries they produce, which is rarely. The foliage is of a rugose, hoary appearance.

Carolíneas. About six species of tender plants, with large digitate leaves, and of handsome growth. The flowers have numerous filaments, and are large and singular. C. insígnis has the largest and compactest blossoms; C. àlba is the only one of the genus that has white flowers, all the others being red; C. prínceps and C. robústa are noble looking species, and are much esteemed. They require a good heat, with which they will grow freely.

Caryòtas. A genus of palms. C. ùrens is an admired species, produces flowers in long pendulous spikes, which are succeeded by strings of succulent globular berries. In its native state it produces a sweet liquor in large quantities, and no stronger than water.

Coccolòbas, Sea-side grape. This genus is admired for its beautiful large foliage, which is oblong ovate, and cordate ovate; C. pubéscens and C. latifòlia are the finest species. They bear berries in clusters like the grape, but never come to perfection in artificial cultivation.

Cùphea Melvílla, is the only species of the genus that is particularly deserving of a situation, has lanceolate scabrous leaves, narrowed at each end, flowers tubular in a terminale whorl, colour scarlet and green. The plant must be well drained. It will flower from May to September.

Cròtons. About twenty-eight species, few of them deserving cultivation; but the genus is celebrated for its beautiful C. pìctus, leaves oblong-lanceolate, variegated with yellow, and stained with red, flowers small green, on axillary spikes. C. variagàtus, variety latifòlia, is finer than the original variagàtus, the nerves in the leaves are yellow, and the leaves lanceolate, entire and smooth. To make them grow freely, give the warmest part of the Hot-house, and drain the pots well.

Cérberas. About twelve species of strong growing trees, full of poisonous juice. C. thevètia is an elegant plant, with accumulate leaves, and large, nodding, yellow, solitary, fragrant flowers, proceeding from the axil; C. ahoùai produces a nut which is deadly poison. C. odàllam, once C. mànghas, has large star-like flowers, white, shaded with red. They are principally East India plants, and require great heat.

Cycas, four species, generally called Sago palm, as an English name. The plant that Sago is extracted from, belongs to another genus, (see Sàgus.) C. revolùta is a well known palm, and will keep perfectly well in the Green-house. We have seen a beautiful specimen of it which is kept every winter in the cellar, but those that are kept so cool in winter only grow every alternate year, while those that are kept in the Hot-house grow every year, which shows that heat is their element. C. circinàlis is a large growing species; the fronds are much longer, but not so close and thick. C. glaùca is a fine species; the foliage is slightly glaucous. They require plenty of pot room, are much infested with the small white scaly insect, and ought to be frequently examined and carefully washed as prescribed in January.

Combrètums. Nine species of beautiful flowering climbing plants, standing in very high estimation. The leaves of the principal part of them are ovate, acute, flowers small but on large branches, the flowers all coming out on one side of the branch. They have a magnificent effect. C. èlegans, red; C. formòsum, red and yellow; C. pulchéllum, scarlet; C. comòsum has crimson flowers in tufts; C. purpùreum is the most splendid of the genus. It was first cultivated in 1818, and so much admired, that the whole of the species as soon as introduced, was extravagantly bought up, and none of them has retained their character, except C. purpùreum, which is now called Poívrea coccínea. The flowers are bright scarlet, in large branches, blooming profusely from April to September, and flower best in a pot. When planted in the ground it grows too much to wood, carrying few flowers. This plant ought to be in every Hot-house.

Cràssula. This genus has no plants in it attractive in beauty. Several beautiful plants in our collections belong to Ròchea and Kalosánthus. There is a strong growing succulent plant, known in our collections as C. falcàta, which is R. falcàta. It seldom flowers; the minor variety blooms profusely every year from May to August, and has showy scarlet flowers in terminale panicles. The plants known as C. coccínea and C. versícolor are now given to the genus Kalosánthus. The flowers of the former are like scarlet wax, terminale and sessile; K. odoratíssima has yellow terminale sweet-scented flowers. They require very little water, only a few times in winter, and about twice a week in summer; they are all desirable plants.

Córyphas, (Large fan Palm,) five species of the most noble and magnificent of palms. C. ambraculífera, the fronds or leaves are palmate; in Ceylon, where the tree is indigenous, they are frequently found fifteen feet wide and twenty feet long. Knox says they will cover from fifteen to twenty men, and when dried will fold up in the shape of a rod, and can be easily carried about, and serve to protect them from the scorching sun. C. talièra, now Talièra bengalénsis, being stronger, is of great utility for covering houses. They do not grow to such immense extent in artificial cultivation, but require large houses to grow them.

Crìnums, about one hundred species, chiefly stove bulbs, many of them beautiful. Those that are of great celebrity are C. cruéntum, colour red; C. scàbrum, crimson and white; C. amàbile, purple and white; the neck of the bulb of the latter is long and easily distinguished from its purplish colour, and is considered the finest of the genus. Several specimens of it are in our collections. Their flowers are in umbels, on a stalk from one to three feet high; corolla funnel shaped; petals recurved. They require large pots to make them flower well, and when growing to be liberally supplied with water.

Cyrtànthus, a genus of Cape bulbs, containing nine species, and will do very well in the Green-house, but we find the assistance of the Hot-house a great advantage. They are closely allied to Crìnum. The tubes of the flowers are long and round, with various shades of orange, yellow, red, and green. C. odòrus, C. striátus, C. oblíquus, and C. vittàtus, are the finest. When the bulbs are dormant, which will be from October to January, they should not get any water; before they begin to grow, turn the bulb out of the old earth, repotting it immediately. At this time they should be potted with the balls of earth entire, which will cause them to flower stronger.

Caryophyllus aromáticus, is the only species, and the tree that produces cloves. The whole plant is aromatic, and closely allied to Myrtus; the flowers are in loose panicles, the leaves oblong, accuminate, entire. It is a fine evergreen. Pots must be well drained.

Dillènias, three species of fine plants, with beautiful foliage. D. speciòsa has produced considerable excitement in our collections. The leaves are elliptic, oblong, simply serrated, nerves deep; the flower is white, with five bold petals, centre filled with barren anthers; it has not been known to flower in America. D. scándens has ovate, simply serrated leaves, but is not known as to flower; it is a fine climber.

Dracænas, Dragon-tree, about twelve species of Asiatic plants, varied in character. D. férrea is plentiful in our collections, and will keep in the Green-house; but the foliage is not so well retained as when kept in the Hot-house; the leaves are lanceolate, acute, of a dark purple colour. D. fràgrans, when in bloom, will scent the air for a considerable distance, leaves green and lanceolate. D. marginàta is rare, yet it is to be seen in a few of our collections. D. strícta is now Charlwòodia6 strícta, flowers blush and in loose panicles. D. Dráco is admired, and the most conspicuous of the genus.

Eránthemums, about ten species. E. pulchéllum and E. bícolor are the finest of the genus; the former is in our collections, but miserably treated. The soil in which it is grown is too stiff and loamy, and it seldom gets enough of heat. The latter is indispensable to make it flower in perfection; therefore it should have the warmest part of the house, and it will produce flowers of a fine blue colour from January to September. The flowers of the latter are white and dark purple, with a few brown spots in the white; blooms from April to August. Drain the pots well, and give the plants little sun during summer.

Eugènias, about thirty species, esteemed for their handsome evergreen foliage. This genus once contained a few celebrated species, which have been divided. (See Jambòsa.) The Allspice tree, known as Myrtus Piménta, is now E. Piménta; the leaves are ovate, lanceolate, and when broken have an agreeable scent. There are several varieties all of the same spicy fragrance. The plant is in very few of our collections. E. fràgrans is sweet scented; the flowers are on axillary peduncles; leaves ovate, obtuse.

Euphórbia (spurg), a genus of plants disseminated over every quarter of the globe; a few are beautiful, many grotesque, and several the most worthless weeds on the earth. There are about two hundred species, and from all of them, when probed, a thick milky fluid exudes. Those of the tropics are the most curious, and very similar in appearance to Cáctus, but easily detected by the above perforation. There is a magnificent species in our collections, which was lately introduced from Mexico.7 It goes under the name of E. heterophylla. The flowers of the whole genus are apetalous, and the beauty is in the bracteæ; of the species alluded to the bracteæ is bright crimson, very persistent, and above six inches in diameter, when well grown. The plant requires a strong heat, or the foliage will become yellow and fall off. We question whether this species is nondescript or as above. It is a brilliant ornament to the Hot-house three fourths of the year, and always during winter, and should have a situation in every tropical collection.

Erythrìnas (Coral tree), a genus containing about thirty species of leguminose, scarlet-flowering plants. Several species are greatly esteemed for their beauty and profusion of flowers, which in well established plants are produced in long spikes at the end of the stems and branches. E. Corallodéndrum blooms magnificently in the West Indies, but in our collections has never flowered. Perhaps if it was kept dry during its dormant season, which is from November to January, and when growing greatly encouraged, it might produce flowers. E. speciòsa is a splendid flowerer, leaves large, ternated, and prickly beneath; stem prickly. E. pubéscens is valued for its large peculiar brown pubescent leaves.

In regard to E. herbàcea, which is a native of the Carolinas, and frequently treated as a Hot-house plant, it is our opinion that it would be more perfectly grown if planted about the first of this month in the garden; and when growing, if well supplied with water, it would flower from July to September. About the first of November lift the roots and preserve them in half dry earth, in the same place with the Dáhlias. E. laurifòlia and E. crísta-gálli are likewise often treated as Hot-house plants, and in such situations they cast prematurely their first flowers, by the confined state of the air. They will keep in perfect preservation during winter in a dry cellar, half covered with earth, or entirely covered with half dry earth; consequently, the best and easiest method of treatment, is to plant them in the garden about the first of May, and when growing, if the ground becomes dry, give them frequent waterings. They will flower profusely three or four times in the course of summer.

We freely recommend the last species to all our patrons, confident that it will give ample satisfaction, both in profusion of flower and beauty of colour. The soil they are to be planted into should be according to that prescribed in the list; or if they are kept in pots, they must be enlarged three or four times, when they are in a growing state, to make them flower perfectly; otherwise they will be diminutive.

Fìcus, Fig-tree, a genus containing above fifty Hot-house species, besides several that belong to the Green-house; greatly admired for the beauty of their foliage. A few of them are deciduous, and all of the easiest culture. We have seen plants of F. elástica hung in the back of the Hot-house, without the smallest particle of earth, their only support being sprinklings of water every day. F. Brássii is the finest looking species that has come under our observation; the leaves are very large, shining, cordate, accuminate; nerves strong and white. As the beauty of these plants is entirely in the foliage and habit, we will select the best of them in the list to which we refer.

Gærtnèra racemòsa, is a large climbing woody shrub, with pinnated leaves, leaflets ovate, lanceolate, flowers white, five petaled, beautifully fringed; blooms in dense panicles. When the plants are allowed to climb, they do not flower freely; but if closely cut in, they will flower every year in great profusion, after the plants are well established. It is now called Hiptàge Madablòta.

Geissomèria longiflòra. This is a new genus, and closely allied to Ruéllia. The species alluded to, is a free flowerer, blooming from May to August, in close spikes of a scarlet colour; leaves opposite, ovate, elongate, and shining; the plants must be well drained, and in summer kept from the direct influence of the sun.

Gardènias, a genus containing about seventeen species, several of them very popular in our collections, going under the name of Cape Jasmine, which do well in the Green-house, (see May.) The species requiring this department, and deserving attention, are G. campanulàta, of a soft woody nature, with ovate, accuminate leaves; flowers of a straw colour, and solitary; G. amœna, the flowers are white, tinged with crimson, terminale and solitary; G. costàta, admired for its beautiful ribbed foliage, G. lùcida has a handsome, ovate, accuminate, shining foliage; flowers white and solitary. They require to have the pots well drained.

Heritièra littóralis, Looking-glass plant. This plant is unisexual, has beautiful large, ovate, veiny leaves; the flowers are small, red, with male and female on the same plant, but different flowers. It requires a strong heat, and plenty of pot room. How the English name becomes applicable to it, we are not acquainted.

Hibíscus. This genus affords many fine species and varieties of plants for the Hot-house, besides others for every department of the garden. The most popular in our collections for the Hot-house, is H. Ròsa sinénsis, with its varieties, which are magnificent, and flower profusely, from April to September. The single or original species is seldom seen in cultivation; the varieties are H. Ròsa sinénsis rùbro plénus, double red; H. R. S. cárnea plènus, double salmon; H. R. S. variegàtus, double striped; H. R. S. flávo-plènus, double buff; H. R. S. lùtea plènus, double yellow, or rather sulphur. The plants grow freely, and produce their flowers three or four inches of diameter, from the young wood; the leaves are ovate, accuminate, smooth, entire at the base and coarsely toothed at the end. All the varieties are of the same character, and highly deserving of a situation in every collection. There is said to be a double white variety, which we doubt; it is not in artificial cultivation. H. mutàbilis flòre plèno is a splendid plant of strong growth, and will, when well established, flower abundantly, if the wood of last year is cut to within a few eyes of the wood of the previous year; the flowers are produced on the young wood, and come out a pale colour, and change to bright red, and about the size of a garden Provins rose; leaves downy, cordate, angular, five-lobed, accuminate, and slightly toothed. H. lilliiflòrus, is a new highly esteemed species; the flowers are various in colour, being pink, blush, red, purple, and striped. We have not seen it in flower, but had its character verbally, from a respectable cultivator. The leaves vary in character, but are generally cordate, crenate, accuminate; the petioles are brown, and the whole slightly hirsute; is deciduous, and requires to be kept in the warmest part of the house.

Hóyas, Wax-plant, seven species. All of them are climbing succulents, requiring plenty of heat and little water. H. carnòsa is the finest flowering species of the genus, and known in our collections as the wax plant; the leaves are green and fleshy; the flowers are mellifluous, five parted, and in pendulous bunches, slightly bearded, and have every appearance of a composition of the finest wax; of a blush colour. H. crassifòlia has the best looking foliage, and the flowers are white. The former will keep in the Green-house, but will not flower so profusely.

Hernándias, Jack-in-a-box. The species are rare, except H. sonòra, which is an elegant looking plant, when well grown; the leaves are peltate, cordate, accuminate, smooth; flowers white, and in panicles; the fruit a nut. The English name is said to have been given, in allusion to the small flowers and large leaves of the plant. A great heat is required to grow it well.

Ipomæas, a genus of tropical climbing plants, nearly allied to Convolvúlus, but of greater beauty. I. paniculàta has large purple flowers in panicles, with large palmated smooth leaves. I. Jálapa is the true jalap of the druggists, but not worthy of any other remark. I. grandiflòra, large white flowers, with acute petals; leaves large, cordate, ovate. I. pulchélla has flowers of a handsome violet colour. They are all easily cultivated. It is said that I. tuberòsa is much used in the West Indies to cover arbours, and will grow three hundred feet in one season; the flowers are purple striped with yellow, leaves palmated. We are not certain but the roots of this kind may be kept like the sweet potato, and become a useful ornament to our gardens.

Ixòras, a genus of fine flowering plants, and does extremely well in our collections in comparison to the state they are grown in England. The genus specifically is much confused amongst us, either from error originating with those who packed them for this country, or after they have arrived. I. purpùrea, leaves oblong, ovate, blunt; flowers crimson; it is now called I. obavàta. I. crocàta, leaves oval, lanceolate, narrowing towards the stem, smooth, underside of the leaf the nerves are very perceptible; flowers saffron coloured. I. ròsea, leaves large, regular, oblong, a little acute, very distant on the wood, centre nerve strong; flowers rose coloured in large corymbs, branching: I. Bandhùca, leaves very close to the stem, ovate, accuminate; nerves straight, middle nerve stronger than any other of the genus; flowers scarlet, corymbs crowded. I. Blánda, leaves small, lanceolate, ovate; flowers blush, cymes branching in three. I. dichotìma, leaves largest of the genus, ovate, accuminate, undulate, footstalk 3/8 of an inch long; whereas none of the leaves of the other species has footstalks of any length. It is now called I. undulàta, flowers are white. I. grandiflòra, leaves ovate, elongate, sessile; flowers in crowded corymbs, and scarlet; is called, I. coccínea in the Botanical Magazine, by which it is known in our collections, and is the same as I. strícta. I. flámmea and I. speciòsa, leaves oblong, subsessile; flowers scarlet, in round spreading dense corymbs. I. fúlgens, same as I. longifòlia and I. lanceolàta; foliage glossy; flowers scarlet. I. Pavétta, the flowers are white, and said to be sweet-scented, the leaves of all the species are opposite; there are a few other species that we are not thoroughly acquainted with, but have been thus explicit to prevent error as far as possible in this beautiful genus. They are all evergreen, low growing shrubs; the plants grow best in Jersey black sandy earth, but flower most abundantly with half loam.

Jacarándas, a genus of beautiful shrubs, containing five species, with Bignônia-like blue or purple flowers. I. mimòsifolia and I. filicifòlia are the finest. The former has blue, and the latter purple flowers; in loose branching panicles. They are evergreen, and easy of culture.

Jambòsas, about twelve species, which have been principally taken from Eugènia, and contain its finest plants, and is a splendid genus of evergreen shrubs. E. Jámbos is now Jambòsa vulgàris, which flowers and fruits freely in our Hot-houses. The fruit is about an inch in diameter, eatable, and smelling like a rose, hence called "Rose Apple." The petals of all the species are simple, and may rather be considered the calyx; the beauty of the flowers is in the many erect spreading stamens, either straw, white, rose, or green colour. J. malaccénsis, Malay Apple, is greatly esteemed for the delightful fragrance of its fruit. We frequently see J. purpuráscens, which is a native of the West Indies, going under J. m. which is an Asiatic species, with white flowers and entire oblong leaves; whereas the leaves of J. p. are small, ovate, accuminate, young shoots and leaves purple. J. macrophylla, white, and J. amplexicaùlis, green, have very large oblong, lanceolate leaves, and is of a strong woody habit. They are all easy of culture.