Volume V Part 5 (2/2)

_Clayt. Gron. Fl. Virg. p. 25._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 160]

MILLER informs us in his Dictionary, that the _Pulmonaria Virginica_ grows naturally upon mountains in most parts of North-America, that the seeds were sent many years since by Mr.

BANISTER, from Virginia; and some of the plants were raised in the garden of the Bishop of London, at Fulham, where for several years it was growing.

Though a native of Virginia, it ranks with the hardy herbaceous plants of our gardens, and flowers in the open border about the middle of April; the blossoms before their expansion are of a reddish purple colour, when fully blown they become of a light bright blue, the foliage is glaucous, or blueish green; it is said to vary with white and flesh-coloured flowers.

In favourable seasons, the Flower-Garden owes much of its gaiety to this elegant plant, and at a time when ornament is most desirable.

It requires a pure air, and a situation moderately sheltered, as the cold easterly winds which too readily prevail in April, when it is in flower, are apt to deface it.

It is usually propagated by parting its roots in autumn, and is a free grower.

[161]

AMYGDALUS NANA. DWARF ALMOND.

_Cla.s.s and Order._

ICOSANDRIA MONOGYNIA.

_Generic Character._

_Cal._ 5-fidus, inferus. _Petala_ 5. Drupa nuce poris perforata.

_Specific Character and Synonyms._

AMYGDALUS _nana_ foliis basi attenuatis. _Linn. Syst. Veg. ed. 14. Murr.

p. 162._ _Pallas. Ross. 1. p. 12. t. 6._

AMYGDALUS indica nana. _Pluk. alm. 28. t. 11. f. 3._

ARMENIACA persicae foliis, fructu exsucco. _Amm. Ruth. 273. t. 30._

[Ill.u.s.tration: No 161]

The Dwarf Almond, a native of Russia and Tartary, is justly considered as one of our most ornamental shrubs; it rarely rises above the height of three feet, and hence becomes very suitable for the shrubbery of small extent. It flowers about the middle of April, somewhat later than the common Almond.

MILLER observes, that the roots are apt to put out suckers, by which the plant may be increased in plenty; and if those are not annually taken away, they will starve the old plant.

Cultivated in 1683, by Mr. JAMES SUTHERLAND. _Ait. Hort.

Kew._

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