The American Flower Garden Directory

Kennèdias, about nine species, all evergreen climbers, of the easiest culture, and flower abundantly. K. monophylla, blue flowered, and K. rubicúnda, crimson flowered, are common in our collections. K. prostràta, (once Glycine coccínea) one-flowered scarlet, and K. coccínea, many flowered scarlet, are very pretty. K. Comptoniàna has splendid purple flowers, and K. inophylla is thought the most superb. It is very rare, and we have not seen it flower. They are large purple. The pots should be well drained; and if the plants are much fostered, they will not flower so well; flowers are either in racemose spikes, or solitary, which is rather too much distinction for the same genus.

Lambértias, four species of very fine plants, natives of New Holland. L. formòsa is the finest of the genus that we have seen; flowers large and of a splendid rose colour. L. echinàta is said to be finer, but has not flowered in cultivation. L. uniflòra has single red flowers, and L. inérmis orange coloured. They are rare plants in the collections on this side of the Atlantic. Drain the pots well; the foliage is narrow, and of a hard dry nature.

Lasiopètalums, only two species. There were a few more, but they are now Thomàsias, plants of no merit whatever, in regard to flower; foliage three lobed, small, rough, and rusty-like. Thomàsia solanàcea and T. quereifòlia, are the best species; foliage of the former is large, cordate, and deep indented; they are all of the easiest culture.

Lavándulas, Lavender, about seven species belong to the Green-house, and a few of them very pretty soft-wooded, half shrubby plants, and if touched, are highly scented. L. dentàta has narrow serrated foliage, very neat. L. formòsa and L. pinnàta are desirable; blue flowers on a long spike; should be kept near the glass; they are of the easiest culture.

Laúrus. A few species are Green-house plants. This genus has been divided to Cinnamòmum; still there are a few celebrated plants in the original. L. nòbilis, sweet bay, though hardy, is kept under protection. It will bear the winter with a little straw covering, notwithstanding there should be a plant kept in the house in case of accident by frost or otherwise; there is a variegated variety of it. L. índica, royal bay, L. fœtens, L. aggregàta, and L. glúaca, are favourites. There is a species known in our collections as L. scábra. The Camphire tree, known as L. camphòra, is Cinnamòmum camphòra; the wood, leaves, and roots of this tree have a very strong odour of camphire. It is obtained by distillation from the roots and small branches, which are cut into chips, and put into a net suspended within an iron pot, the bottom of which is covered with water, having an earthen head fitted in it; heat is then applied, and the steam of the boiling water acting upon the contents of the net, elevates the camphire into the capital, where it concretes on the straws, with which this part of the apparatus is lined. They are all fine evergreens, (which the name denotes,) and easily cultivated,

Lìnums, Flax, two or three species are very fine, and flower freely. L. trigynum has large yellow flowers in clusters, and L. ascyrifôlium, whose flowers are large, blue, and white, and in long spikes. The shape of them is very like the flower vulgarly called Morning-glory.

Lobèlias. Several of them when well treated, form most magnificent flowering plants; they are principally herbaceous. L. Tùpa has the largest foliage, and fine scarlet flowers. L. speciôsa, flowers light purple; L. fúlgens, crimson flowers; L. spléndens, scarlet flowers. The three last are of the same habit; the colours brilliant; and to grow them well, they should be divided, (if there are several shoots arising,) when they begin to grow, putting them first into four inch pots, and shifting them frequently, having them to flower in those of nine or ten inches, which will be about the end of June, or first of July, and they will continue until October. The pots must be always kept in pans or saucers filled with water; likewise give plenty to the surface of the earth, which is to be done during their time of growth and flowering. If this is attended to, they will produce flower stalks from four to six feet in height, and covered with branches and spikes of flowers from bottom to top. The corolla is pentapetalous, three down and two up; they require a little shade. The genus consists of about eighty species; seventy of them are exotics; many of them natives of the Cape of Good Hope, with little flowers of brilliant colours. L. cærùlea, L. Thunbérgii, L. corymbôsa, L. pyramidàlis, and L. ilicifòlia, are very fine species, of weak growth, but flower freely.

Lomàtias, about six species; flowers are white or straw colour, and similar to Grevíllea, but the foliage more handsome.

Lophospérmum scándens. This is a magnificent new climbing soft wooded shrub, with purple, campanulate flowers, which are produced from the axils on the young wood; they bloom from May to September; leaves large, cordate, and tomentose; grows rapidly, and flowers abundantly.

Lachnæas, about five species, remarkable for their downy heads of white flowers; leaves small, ovate, lanceolate. L. glaùca, L. conglomeràta, and L. eriocéphala, are the best species. The pots must be well drained, and in summer the plants protected from the sun.

Leonòtis, Lion's-ear, four species. They have very fine scarlet tubular flowers, orifice-toothed. They come out in large whorls, and look elegant; but neither plant nor foliage has an agreeable appearance. They are of the easiest culture. L. intermédia, and L. Leonùrus, are the best flowering species.

Leucospérmums, about eighteen species, of Proteacious plants, chiefly low growing, and are mostly downy or hairy; flowers yellow, in terminale heads. L. formósum, L. grandiflòrum, L. tomentósum, and L. candicans, rose-scented. These are fine species. For treatment, see Pròteas.

Lipàrias, about five species, much esteemed for their beauty of foliage; leaves ovate, lanceolate, downy or woolly; flowers yellow, leguminose, and capitate. L. sphærica, L. tomentósa, L. villósa, and L. serícea, are the finest. L. vistìta and L. villósa are the same, although put in many catalogues as different species. None of them ought to be much watered over the foliage, as it adheres to the down, and causes the young shoots to damp off. Drain the pots well, and keep the plants in an airy situation.

Lysinèmas, four species, closely allied to Epácris. In every respect treatment the same. L. pentapítalum, L. conspicum, and L. ròseum, are the best; the flowers of the two former are white. L. silaifòlia has leaves bipinnatifid and smooth, segments wedge-shaped and cut. L. dentàta and L. ilicifòlia are the finest; the pots should be drained.

Lonícera japónica. There is a plant in our collections known by that name, which is now Nintooa longiflàra; flowers of a straw colour, but come out white. It has been known to withstand the winter, but does not flower, and is frequently killed entirely.

Lychnis coroàta, is an esteemed Chinese plant; flowers-in abundance, pentapetalous, large, and a little indented at the edges; colour a red-like orange; flowers terminale and axillary. The roots must be divided every spring, or they will dwindle away to nothing. Perhaps a good method of treatment would be to divide the roots, and plant them in the garden; they would flower well, and could be lifted in the fall, and put under protection. We have no doubt that it may become acclimated. If not done so, plant them in four inch pots, and repot them into those of six inch in May. Do not expose them while in flower to the mid-day sun, for it will deteriorate the fine colour.

Leptospérmums, about thirty species, all pretty New Holland evergreen dwarf shrubs, with small white flowers. L. baccàtum, L. péndulum, L. juníperinum, L. ovátum, L. stellàtum, L. grandiflórum, and L. scopàrium, are the best of the species. The latter was used as tea by Capt. Cook's ship's crew. It is an agreeable bitter, with a pleasant flavour, when fresh. When young plants are growing, they ought to be frequently topped to make them bushy, and kept in an airy situation, or they will be drawn and unsightly. They are of very easy culture.

Leucadéndrons, Silver tree, above forty species, all natives of Cape of Good Hope. They are evergreens with handsome, silvery-like foliage. L. argentéum (once Pròtea argentéa) is a great beauty; foliage white, lanceolate, and silky. It is a plant that has been long in cultivation, greatly admired, and much sought for, and is the finest of the genus. L. squarròsum, L. stellàtum, (once Pròtea stellaris) L. tórtum, L. servíceum, L. margìnàtum, and L. plumôsum (once P. parviflòra) are all fine species. The pots must be well drained, and the plants never over-watered. They are very desirable in collections for their beauty of foliage; flowers similar to Pròtea.

Magnòlias. There are four species that require the protection of our Green-houses; all the others are hardy. M. fuscàta, and M. annonæfòlia, are very similar in foliage and flower: the young branches and leaves of M. fuscàta is covered with a brown, rusty-like down; the other by some is considered merely a variety; flowers small, brown, and very sweet-scented. M. pùmila is very dwarf growing; leaves large and netted; flowers semi-double, white, pendant, and fragrant. They are natives of China. We have several others from the east, but being deciduous are perfectly hardy. M. odoratíssima, now Talàuma Candólii, a native of the Island of Java, and said to be very odoriferous, but is very rare even in Europe; said to have a straw coloured flower. M. conspícua is desirable to have in the Green-house, if enarched on a stock of M. purpùrea, which will always keep it dwarf, and it will flower magnificently in February and March.

Melalèucas, above thirty species, and a beautiful genus of New Holland plants, of easy culture; flowers come out of the wood like fringes. M. elíptica, M. fúlgens, scarlet, M. decussàta, M. hypericifòlia, M. squarròsa, M. linarifòlia, M. incana, M. tetragònia, M. thymifòlia, are all very fine species, and flower freely if they have been grown from cuttings; the singularity of flower and diversity of foliage make them generally thought of.

Maurándias, three species, of very pretty climbing Green-house plants, flowering from March to October. M. Barclàyana has splendid flowers, large, light blue, campanulate, and very abundant. M. semperflòrens has rose coloured flowers, of the same character. They will flower best if planted in the ground.

Myrsínes, Cape Myrtle, dwarf cape evergreen shrubs covered with small flowers from March to May. M. retùsa has green and purple flowers; M. rotundifòlia, flowers white and purple. They will grow in any situation, and are of easy culture.

Méspilus japónica. The plant, known under that name, is now Eriabòtrya japónica, Loquat, is a fine plant with large lanceolate, distantly serrated leaves, white underneath; small white flowers on a racemose spike, and produces a fruit about the size of a walnut, of a fine yellow blush colour, and of delicious flavour. If it flowers in the fall, it will require the heat of a Hot-house to ripen the fruit. It is of very easy culture, and its noble aspect is never passed unobserved.

Metrosidèros, about five species. Many have been added to Callistèmon. M. flòrida, M. umbellata, and M. angustifòlia, are the best species. C. salígnum, C. lanceolàtum, variety semperiflòrens, C. glaùcum, once M. speciòsa, has splendid scarlet flowers and C. formòsum; these are all beautiful plants, with scarlet flowers. Other two beautiful species with white flowers have been given to Angóphora. A. cordifòlia, once M. híspida, and A. lanceolàta, once M. costàta; these genera are very easily distinguished from any other Australasian shrubs, by the peculiar character of having both sides of the leaves alike. The flowers consist of stamens, stiles, and anthers, coming in hundreds out of the young wood for the length of three or four inches, forming a dense cone crowned with a small twig; leaving capsules in the wood, which will keep their seeds perfect for a great number of years. They grow freely, and the pots should be well drained.

Myrtus, Myrtle, is a well known and popular shrub, especially the common varieties; and was a great favourite, (even to adoration,) among the ancients. It was the mark of authority for Athenian rulers, and is amongst the moderns an emblem of pre-eminence. They are elegant evergreen shrubs, with an agreeable odour. M. commùnis multipléx, double flowering, is a very neat shrub, and flowers abundantly. M. commùnis leucocárpa, White-fruited Myrtle, is quite unique, when the berries are on it. M. itálica variagáta, striped leaved; M. itálica maculàta, blotch leaved, are very fine shrubs; and M. tomentòsa, Chinese Myrtle, is a magnificent erect growing shrub, with a white down over the foliage; the flowers are the largest of the genus. When they first expand, they are white, and afterwards change to purple, so that there are beautiful flowers of several shades of colour on the plant. We have not the smallest doubt but this species will become in many instances as plentiful as the common myrtle. It is more easily grown, but cannot stand much exposure to the sun in summer. M. tenuifòlia is a very fine plant, and a native of New South Wales. Myrtles in general should be sprinkled with water in the evenings, to keep off mildew and red spider.

Nandìna doméstica, the only species, and a popular shrub in the gardens of Japan, where it is called Nandin. It has supra-decompound leaves, with entire lanceolate leaflets, a kind of foliage that is very rare; the flowers are small, whitish green, in panicles, succeeded by berries of the size of a pea; drain the pots well.

Nèrium, (Oleander,) is a genus of beautiful erect growing evergreen shrubs, of the easiest culture, and abundant in flower. N. oleánder is the common rose coloured single flowering species, from which six varieties have originated. At present the most popular is N. oleánder splèndens, which has a double rose coloured flower. There is one that has got in our collections as double white which is only semi-double. We have seen a white, variety as double as N. o. splèndens, and have no doubt but in a few years it will be plentiful. N. oleánder elegantìssimum, a most beautiful plant, with deep silver-edged foliage; and the young wood is striped white and green. We are not positive in respect to the beauty of its flowers, but it has a high character. We have heard of a double-yellow variety, but the reports are not properly authenticated; and we doubt it very much. There are likewise single yellow, single white, and single blotched varieties of N. oleánder. They are subject to the small white scaly insect, and should be frequently washed, as has been directed, to keep it off.

Oleas, Olive, about twelve species and varieties. O. Europæa longifòlia, is the species that is cultivated to such an extent in the south of France, and Italy. O. Europæa latifòlia is chiefly cultivated in Spain. The fruit is larger than that of Italy, but the oil is not so pleasant, which is obtained by crushing the fruit to a paste, and pressing it through a woollen bag, adding hot water as long as any oil is yielded. The oil is then skimmed off the water, and put into barrels, bottles, &c. for use. The tree seldom exceeds thirty feet, and is a branchy glaucous evergreen, and said to be of great longevity. Some plantations at Turin in Italy are supposed to have existed from the time of Pliny. It frequently flowers in our collections, but seldom carries fruit; flowers white, in small racemose axillary spikes. O. cupénsis has a thick large oblong foliage; flowers white, in large terminale panicles. O. verrucòsa, foliage flat, lanceolate, and white beneath, branches curiously warted. O. fragráns, foliage and blossoms are both highly odoriferous; the plant is much esteemed in China, and is said to be used to adulterate and flavour teas. Leaves are elliptic, lanceolate, and a little serrated; flowers white in lateral bunches. It is subject to the small, white scaly insect, and ought to be carefully kept from them by washing. O. paniculata is a fine species. They are all very easily cultivated.

Oxylòbiums, seven species, plants very similar to Callistachys, with ovate, cordate, light coloured, pubescent foliage, with papilionaceous flowers. O. obtusifòlium has scarlet flowers; O. retùsum, orange flowers; and O. ellípticum, yellow flowers. They grow freely, and should be well drained; flower from May to August.

Pelargòniums, Stork's Bill. This genus, so universally known amongst us as Gerànium, from which it was separated many years ago, is a family of great extent and variety, for which we are principally indebted to the Cape of Good Hope. By cultivation from seed many hundred beautiful species and well marked varieties have been obtained. There are about five hundred species, with upwards of two hundred varieties. They are of every character, colour and shade, of the most vivid description. The easy cultivation of the Pelargònium tribe, or Geràniums, as they are commonly called, has rendered them very popular; also the agreeableness of scent and fragrance of which many of them are possessed, makes them favourites. If their flowering season was of longer duration, the varieties and species would be quite indispensable in collections; but there is every appearance that in a few years the aspect of them will be changed. The present prevailing colour of the flower, (which has five petals, three hanging and two erect, the erect petals being always of the darkest shade,) is a white or pink ground, with lilac, purple, or pink stripes, flakes, or spots, and blooms from April to June; though they bloom profusely in large bunches, the time is limited. The species and varieties that have a red ground, with black or dark crimson stripes or spots, generally bloom during the whole summer. These, though scarce in the collections of the country, will in a few years root out those whose flowers are of such short duration, and by their blooms charm us half of the year.

The tuberous and fleshy stemmed species are far more interesting to the discriminating inquirer than the common kinds. Their habit and constitution are so peculiar, that we have frequently wondered that they have not been separated into distinct genera. The cultivation of them is more difficult, water being very prejudicial to them when they are inactive. When they are well managed, they flower beautifully, and the colours are very superior and peculiar, having frequently bright green and purple in the same flower. If some of the colours of these could be compounded with the large flowering kinds, those hybridised would be magnificent.

The best method to adopt in impregnating these, is to choose the female, one that has large flowers, of easy cultivation, and as nearly allied in character and other habits as possible. When a flower of the intended female is newly expanded, take a pair of very fine pointed scissors, and cut off the anthers before the pollen expands; then as soon as the summit of the stile divides, apply the pollen taken from the anthers of the intended male plant on a very fine camel hair pencil, or cut out the stigma entirely, and place the anther on the summit of the stile, which, if correctly done, will have the desired effect. As soon as the seed is ripe, sow it in light sandy soil; and when it has come up, take care not to over-water the soil, which would cause them to damp off. When they are about one inch high, put them into small pots, and treat as the other varieties. Have them all distinctly marked until they flower, which will be in the second year from the time of sowing.

Phórmium tènax, New Zealand flax lily, the only species; foliage resembling an Iris, and very thready. In New Zealand and Norfolk Island, the natives manufacture from this plant a kind of stuff like coarse linen, cordage, &c.; the plant is very hardy, and we would be no way surprised to see it stand the severity of our winters. It bears exposure to the open air in Europe in the 56th degree of north latitude. The flowers are said to be yellow and lily-like; of the easiest culture.

Phylicas, above twenty-five species. Several of them are very pretty growing evergreen shrubs, and of easy culture. P. horizontàlis, P. squarròsa, P. imbricàta, P. myrtifòlia, P. callòsa, P. bícolor, and P. ericoídes, are all neat growing; flowers small, white, in heads; drain the pots well, and keep them in an airy situation. The foliage of several of the species is downy.

Pimèleas, about fourteen species. Most of them are highly esteemed, and are not often seen in our collections. P. decussàta is the finest of the genus, both in foliage and flowers, which are red, and in large terminale clusters; P. rôsea, P. linifòlia, white, P. spicàta, and P. drupàcea, are all fine species. The latter has the largest foliage, which is ovate and accuminate; berry-bearing. They should be well drained. They are very small evergreen shrubs, with white or red flowers.

Pittósporums, about nine species, with handsome foliage, and small white flowers in clusters, which are fragrant. P. Tobìra is a native of China, and nearly hardy; leaves lucid, obovate, obtuse, and smooth. P. undulàtum, P. coriàceum, P. revolùtum, P. fúlvum, and P. ferrugíneum, are very ornamental evergreens, and will grow with the most simple treatment.

Platylòbiums, Flat Pea, four species of fine free flowering plants; flowers leguminose; colour yellow. P. formòsum, P. oràtum, and P. triangulàre, are the best; the foliage of the two former is cordate, ovate; the latter hastate, with spiny angles.

Pistàcias, seven species of trees, principally of the south of Europe. There is nothing particular in their appearance, except their productions in their native country. P. terebínthus is deciduous, and produces the Cyprus turpentine. P. lentíscus is the true mastich tree, which is obtained by cutting transverse incisions in the bark. P. vèra and P. reticulàta are good species; leaves pinnated; leaflets ovate, lanceolate; easily cultivated.

Plumbàgos, Lead-wort. There are only two species of any consequence belonging to the Green-house, P. trístis and P. capénsis. The former is a shy flowerer, but the latter flowers freely; colour beautiful light blue, and flowers in spikes; foliage oblong, entire, and a little glaucous; of very easy culture, and continues in bloom a considerable time.

Psoràleas, above forty species. A few of them are worthy of cultivation, P. odoratíssima, P. spicàta, P. aculeàta, P. argéntea, and P. tomentòsa. They have all blue flowers, and leguminose. They are chiefly low shrubs; and will flower and grow freely; the pots require draining.