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.
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Melissa Grandiflora. Great-Flower'd Balm.
Class and Order.
Didynamia Gymnospermia.
Generic Character.
Cal. aridus, supra planiusculus; labio superiore subfastigiato. Corollæ lab. super. subfornicatum, 2-fidum; labium inf. lobo medio cordato.
Specific Character and Synonyms.