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_Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 17._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p.
88._
CARYOPHYLLUS hortensis barbatus latifolius. _Bauh. Pin. 208._
ARMERIUS latifolius simplex. Single Sweete Williams. _Park. Parad.
p. 321._
LINNaeUS, in his _Spec. Pl._ appears not to have known of what country the Sweet William was a native, and even in the _Hortus Kewensis_, this circ.u.mstance is left undecided; yet DODONaeUS, in his _Pemptades_[7], mentions its being found wild in Germany, and PROF. HOFFMAN confirms this in his _Germanys Flora_[8].
At the time DODONaeUS wrote (1552) this plant was cultivated in the Netherlands, from whence it was probably introduced to this country, where it certainly is one of the oldest inhabitants of our gardens.
Beautiful as are the numerous varieties of this species of Dianthus, Florists have not deemed it worthy of that peculiar attention which they have bestowed on its more favoured relatives the Pink and Carnation, and hence it probably has not arrived at that degree of improvement of which it is capable; our figure is intended to represent one of the most esteemed of its kind, viz. the _Painted Lady_ variety, which has a deep rich purple eye, surrounded with a pure white, having the edge of the petals slightly indented; but our colours fall far short of the beauties of the original.
Besides single flowers producing an infinite variety of colours, there are several double varieties of the Sweet William, some of which are observed to have more scent than others.
To possess these plants in perfection, we must renew them yearly; for though the root be perennial, it is apt to decay, especially if the soil in which it grows be either very moist, or very dry; or if the air be not pure, the single sorts must be raised from seeds, which should be saved from the choicest flowers; the double sorts may be increased by cuttings, pipings, or layers, in the same manner, and at the same time as Pinks and Carnations; the seed should be sown early in April, the seedlings transplanted into a bed in June, taking advantage of a wet day and placed about six inches asunder each way; in September they will be fit to transplant into the flower border, where they will blossom the ensuing summer, during the months of June and July, and ripen their seed in August.
[Footnote 7: In petrosis collibus et asperis, fabulosis apricisque locis, apud Germanos nascitur. _Pempt. p. 177._]
[Footnote 8: Sponte in sylvaticis, montosis (Carn. Siles. Tubing) Germanys Fl. 1791. p. 147.]
[208]
MELISSA GRANDIFLORA. GREAT-FLOWER'D BALM.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
DIDYNAMIA GYMNOSPERMIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ aridus, supra planiusculus; labio superiore subfastigiato.
_Corollae_ lab. super. subfornicatum, 2-fidum; labium inf. lobo medio cordato.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
MELISSA _grandiflora_ pedunculis axillaribus dichotomis longitudine florum. _Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 542._ _Ait. Kew. v.
2. p. 315._
CALAMINTHA magno flore. _Bauh. Pin. 229._
CALAMINTHA montana praestantior. The more excellent Calamint. _Ger.
Herb. p. 556._ as to the name. _Ger. emac. 687._ as to the figure.
The _Melissa grandiflora_, a beautiful and hardy perennial, grows spontaneously on the hilly and mountainous parts of France, Italy, and Germany; GERARD mentions it as found wild in this country, which stands in need of further confirmation; there is little doubt, however, but he had cultivated the plant; as he says, "brought into the garden, it prospereth marvellous well and very easily soweth itself."
It is the more valuable, as it flowers during most of the summer.
There is a variety of it with white, and another with red flowers, both much inferior in size to those of the plant here figured, and therefore not worth cultivating; we have a variety also with variegated leaves which we obtained from seeds.
This plant is readily propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and may also be raised from seeds, which are plentifully produced: as it rarely exceeds a foot in height, it becomes a suitable plant for the small flower border, or for the decoration of rock-work.
The leaves when bruised have the smell of garden balm.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[Ill.u.s.tration]
[209]
HIBISCUS TRIONUM. BLADDER HIBISCUS.
_Cla.s.s and Order._
MONADELPHIA POLYANDRIA.
_Generic Character._
_Cal._ duplex: exterior polyphyllus. _Caps._ 5-locularis, polysperma.
_Specific Character and Synonyms._
HIBISCUS _Trionum_ foliis tripart.i.tis incisis, calycibus inflatis.
_Linn. Syst. Vegetab. ed. 14. Murr. p. 631._ _Ait. Kew. v. 2. p.
458._
TRIONUM _Linn. Hort. cliff. 349._
ALCEA vesicaria. _Bauh. Pin. 317._
ALCEA peregrina five vesicaria. Venice Mallow, or Good night at noone. _Park. Parad. p. 368. 307. f. 2._
Seeds of the plant here figured are sold in the seed-shops under the name of Venice Mallow, a name by which it was known in the time of GERARD and PARKINSON: Mr. AITON has changed this for the more scientific one of Bladder Hibiscus. Authors have also distinguished this plant by terms expressive of the short-lived expansion of its flowers, which GERARD says open at eight o'clock in the morning and close about nine, from whence he observes, that it might with propriety be called Malva horaria: MILLER lengthens the duration of its blowing to a few hours: we have frequently observed its blossoms continue sufficiently open to shew their beauty the greatest part of the day, more especially towards the close of summer.
Few annuals are more admired than this, the inside of the flower is of delicate cream colour, having the centre embellished with a rich purple velvet, on which its golden antherae are proudly conspicuous.
It is said to be a native of Italy; a Cape variety, differing in hairiness and a few other particulars is mentioned by MILLER, and considered by him as a species.
The least possible trouble attends the raising of this beautiful annual, as it readily ripens its seeds, which falling on the ground produce plants in abundance the ensuing spring; to have it flower as long as may be, it will be proper to sow it at two or three different periods.
