Margaret Roscoe

“ The double variety of this plant is less common in our gardens, and the single white variety is rare. These plants like a loamy soil, and eastern exposure—and should be removed when they are in blossom. The roots do not bear to be often separated; and if divided into small pieces are frequently lost: but if left undisturbed in a congenial situation, they will attain great luxuriance. Miller says the single varieties are easily propagated by seed; but our more modern gardeners do not coincide in this opinion. ”

“ The bulbs may be planted early in the spring in light sandy soil, and placed in a green-house or frame, as it facilitates their flowering: when the weather permits, the roots should be taken out of the pots and put into the open air, in a warm sheltered situation, where they will make a brilliant appearance for a considerable time—when they have done flowering, the roots require to be taken up and kept dry during the winter. The only species with which we are yet acquainted, besides the one figured, is T. pavonia. ”

“ She has chosen those plants most remarkable for their beauty, and general adaptation to our borders—and, in order to render the Work more complete, she has added to every genus those species most desirable for cultivation. ”

“ It is difficult to cultivate, perhaps requiring a little stronger soil than Anemonies generally do. When its roots have attained a great size, it should be removed or divided, as it is then liable to decay; few, however, are fortunate enough to cultivate it to such a state of luxuriance. It is perfectly hardy, though mostly treated as a frame plant. The under side of the lower radical leaves is tinged with a bright violet colour. The genus Anemone is a numerous one, and can boast of many ornamental species. ”

“ To her own sex, to whose particular notice she offers it, she trusts it may prove a useful and correct guide to their tastes, both in their selection for a flower garden, and as objects for their pencil. ”

“ Root tuberous—stem erect, growing to the height of one foot or more—leaves on rather long petioles, broadly lanceolate, spreading, margins undulate, of a dull green, strongly veined with red—under side reddish in the young leaves—flowers thyrsiform—on short pedicels—calyx campanulate, margin five cleft, segments acute, tinged with purple—corolla lilac, funnel shaped, limb spreading, five cleft—stamens five, inclined, shorter than the style—stigma clavate—whole plant covered with a whitish pubescence which it nearly loses in more advanced growth. ”

“ There are few plants more desirable for a flower garden than the Erythronium dens canis, and its white variety; and none contribute more to the beauty of our borders in the month of March, or beginning of April. ”

“ The genus Lupinus is now become very interesting, from the numerous fine species that have lately been introduced; none can exceed in beauty the one here figured, which possesses a peculiar attraction from its flowers being most beautiful when in a state of decay. ”

“ When well grown it is a very beautiful and elegant plant, and a great acquisition to the flower garden. As we are yet scarcely aware how it may bear the cold of our winters, it will be desirable to protect it from severe frosts. The genus can now boast of many new and beautiful species ”

“ Root tuberous—leaves radical, on long channelled petioles, pedate, lobes oblong, margins serrate near the apex—scape radical, simple,—flower terminal—calyx none—bracteas immediately under the flower, two, sessile—corolla white, slightly tinged with pale pink and yellowish green,—petals five, large, orbicular, margins undulate—nectaries green, tubular—stamens numerous—anthers compressed—styles many.
There are few flowers more welcome to us than the Helleborus niger, which enlivens our gardens in the dreary months of December and January. ”

“ Root bulbous, very large—scape radical, many flowered—corolla lilac pink—tube long, petals six, ob-ovate, spreading, strongly nerved at the back of each petal, tipped with a deeper color—stamens six, three longer than the others—filaments inserted in the base of the petals—anthers bright yellow—styles three, longer than the stamens—leaves radical, very large, broadly lanceolate, plicate, smooth, appearing after the flowers decay.
There cannot be a greater ornament to the flower garden in the autumnal months than the C. byzantinum, which is the finest species of the genus. ”

“ It is a hardy plant, of the easiest culture, not requiring any particular treatment, though it grows best in a rich brown loam—if allowed to sow its seed, a number of young plants will soon appear, which will flower the next year; this mode, however, of propagating it, is by no means certain, and therefore, in order to obtain it true, it is better to divide the roots, which may be done in spring; numerous and very beautiful varieties are constantly raised from seed. Amongst the most desirable distinct species are ”

“ To endeavour to place them in an attractive form—to attach to them useful and accurate information—has been her pleasing task; and she will be amply rewarded if she should be the means of affording any encouragement, particularly among her own sex, to a taste for botanical pursuits. One of our greatest philosophers has declared a "Garden to be among the purest of human pleasures" ”

“ Is it not a privilege to walk with God in the garden of creation, and hold converse with his providence? If such elevated feelings do not lead to the study of Nature, it cannot be far pursued without rewarding the student by exciting them. ”

“ Root fibrous,—stem erect, much branched,—radical leaves on long naked petioles, multipartite, segments narrow acute,—cauline leaves sessile, verticillate, linear acute, on the lateral branches, generally single,—lower flowers on very long peduncles—calyx none—corolla very brilliant blue—outer petals five, ovate, undulate, upper one terminated by a long rugose spur—nectaries two, divided into four segments, the two lower ones marked with a bright bearded yellow spot, enclosing the parts of fructification—stamens numerous—styles three—capsules three celled. ”

“ Root bulbous—leaves radical, linear—twisted, glaucous—stem simple, erect—flowers solitary, issuing from a sheath, lanceolate—corolla cream colour, consisting of a tubular nectary, with a laciniated mouth, surrounded by six long tortuose petals—stamens six—pistil one, enclosed in the tube. ”

“ Cab. p. 1471, grows on dry hills from New England to Virginia. Prof. Nuttall says in his genera of North American plants, vol. i. p. 147, "the genus Viola within its proper limits, is almost equally divided betwixt Europe and the temperate parts of North America." ”