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.