Aconítums, Wolfs'-bane, one hundred and twenty-eight distinct species, with several varieties. Many of them are of consequence and beauty; the flower stems rise from one and a half to six feet upright, and strong, furnished with many palmate and digitate leaves, terminated by spikes of blue, yellow, or white flowers, similar to a hood; hence the name of Monk's Hood is often applied to them. They are scarce in collections, but in a few years we have no doubt but many of them will be plentiful. The finest species are A. speciòsum, A. anthòra, A. neúrbergensis, A. amænum, A. napéllus, A. venústum, A. zoóctonum, A. pyramidàle, A. lycóctonum, A. albùm, and A. versícolor. They flower from May to September, and will grow in any common garden soil. The roots of A. napéllus are like small turnips, and are said to be poisonous.
Cáltha palústris flòre-plèno is a good border plant, delights in moist situations, has large cordate, crenated leaves; flowers double yellow; blooming from April till June; and is a desirable plant.
Béllis perénnis horténsis, Daisy. We might almost say with another, "every one knows the Daisy." It is named from being pretty, and is perfectly hardy, though generally kept under cover. They delight to have a shaded situation during summer, to protect them from the sun, which, as it were, scorches the roots. There are many double varieties in the gardens, which flower early. The one called Crown, or Carnation Daisy, is twice the size of the common varieties, and has white and red petals alternately, and very double. Loamy soil, inclined to moisture, is best adapted to their growth.
Campánulas. This genus affords many very ornamental plants for the Flower-garden and Shrubbery, and they flower superbly during the summer, agreeing better with our climate than with that of Europe. Several have two successions of flowers, C. persicifòlia álba plèna; C. persicifòlia cærùlea plèno; C. urticifòlia, white. Of this last there is also a double variety. C. speciòsa; C. glomerata; C. versícolor; with several others, are worthy of a situation in every garden. Their roots are strong, fleshy, and fibrous. They are easy of culture, and will retain their situation in the severest of our winters. C. grandiflòra is now Wahlenbérgia grandiflòra. It has fine blue large flowers; the flower stems are slender, and should be supported as soon as they grow.
Cheiránthus Chéiri vulgàris is the common garden Wall-flower. There are about ten varieties of it, all admired for their various colours and agreeable odour. The common variety survives the mildest of our winters. The most esteemed variety is Hæmánthus, Double bloody. They should all be protected by a frame. C. mutábilis is a beautiful species; it has many shades of colour from lilac to dark purple. The flowers are on extending racemose spikes; blooming from April to June; it requires a light rich soil; is a half shrubby evergreen plant.
Chelònes. This genus belongs entirely to this continent, and possesses many fine species. It is a matter of astonishment that they are not more cultivated and sought for in our collections. C. glábra; C. oblíqua; C. barbàta; C. atropurpùrea; C. pulchélla; C. venústa; and C. speciòsa; are all handsome, and flower from May to September; corolla large, ringent; ventricose flowers in spikes or panicles.
Chrysánthemums. There are few of this genus of any consequence as herbaceous plants, except the varieties of C. sinénse, of which there are about fifty, all desirable; but in small gardens, where there is a deficiency in room, the following are select in colour and quality: Tubulòsum álbum, quilled white; supérbum, superb white; díscolor, large lilac; fúlvum, Spanish brown; atropurpùreum, early crimson; involùtum, curled lilac; fasciculàtum, superb cluster yellow; serotìnum, late pale purple; papyràceum, paper white; Waratáh, yellow Waratah; versícolor, two-coloured red; stellàtum, starry purple; verecúndum, early blush; and mutábile, changeable pale buff. To grow these in perfection, they require rich light soil; and about the end of this month the roots should be lifted, divided, and planted into fresh soil, either by giving them a new situation, or changing the earth they were in. Two or three stems together are quite sufficient. The flowers, by the above treatment, will be much larger, more double, and finer in colour; where they are wanted to grow low and bushy, top them in June, but not later than the first of July. Where the soil is rich, and the plant having only one stem, by topping it, makes a beautiful bush. They are in flower from the first of October until severe frost; thus beautifying our gardens at a season when they would be destitute of one single attraction. If the season is dry, to water them with liquid manure will add to their vigour. They are all natives of China, and greatly esteemed by the Chinese, who only allow a few blooms to come out on the top of each stem, thereby having the flowers much finer.
Clématis, Virgin's-bower. A few species are good herbaceous plants, of upright growth, and blue flowers, C. integrifòlia; C. angustifòlia; and C. erécta; they grow best in light soil.
Coreópsis, chiefly native plants, and free-flowering; colour principally yellow; flowers rayed. C. tenuifòlia, C. verticilláta, C. díscolor, and C. trípteris, are the finest of the genus, and will grow in any common garden soil.
Delphínums. There are some showy border flowers of these, of strong growth. The leaves are much divided; the flowers in terminale spikes; colour blue, purple, red, white and yellow, with various shades. D. grandiflòrum, with its varieties, are the best of the genus. D. intermèdium, and its varieties, D. elátum, Bee Larkspur, from the ringent part of the flower being very like a bee, and D. montánum, are good varieties, and easily cultivated. When the plants become large, they ought to be divided, and planted in fresh soil. They are in bloom from May to September.