rising from the root set at distances with three small dark green leaves together the middle or end-leaf being the biggest at the joynts where the leaves come forth stand long stalks bearing small long hollow flowers ending in five and sometimes six yellow leaves after the flowers are past round black-shining berries succeed them the roots are tough and white creeping in the ground and coming up in divers places much increasing Jasminum Indicum flore phoeniceo THe Indian scarlet Jasmine from a large spread root consisting of many great fibres and smaller strings cometh up one two or more flexible branches not able to sustain themselves without the help of something to support them putting forth at every joynt some small short tendrils whereby it will strongly fasten unto any woody substance at the joynts come forth two winged leaves which are as large almost as Rose leaves full of veins and finely nicked on the sides which most usually stand three on a side and one at the end which are reddish at the first but afterwards of a fair yellowish green colour the flowers come forth at the ends of the branches many together which are long like a Fox-glove opening at the ends into five fair broad leaves like unto that of the Gentianella with a stile and small threds in the middle of a yellow or Saffron colour in some Plants the flowers have small red lines on the insides thereof others of a deep dark scarlet colour veined with small yellow lines These are the varieties of Jasmines growing in our English Gardens unto which we will insert some other woody climbing flower-bearing Plants which seem conveniently to cover and beautifie some Bowers as Periclimenum perfoliatum THe double Honisuckle which is so common that it needeth no description it is very fit to cover an Arbour in respect of the much spreading thereof and the multitude of sweet flowers grow in five or six stories one above another with round green leaves circling the stalk betwixt every roundle of flowers which are of the form of the wilde Honisuckle but fairer yellower and much sweeter Periclimenum Italicum flore rubro THe red Italian Honisuckle groweth something like the wilde kind with such green leaves but redder branches spreading very much so that two Plants one of the former and another of this are sufficient to cover a large Arbour the flowers of this are very many coming forth together in great tufts from the ends and sides of the red branches which are longer and better formed than those of the other which at first before they are fully blowen are wholly of a fine red colour but afterwards more yellow about the ends or upon part of the flowers which make a gallant shew and are of a sweet scent but not so strong as the former Clematis peregrina flore rubro REd Virgins-bower hath many limber woody weak branches covered with a brown thin outer bark and green underneath winding about any thing it can take hold of the leaves stand at the joynts consisting of three parts whereof some are notched on one side and some on both the flowers come from the joynts upon long foot-stalks which are made of four leaves standing like a cross of a sullen dark-red or liver-colour the roots are a bundle of browh strong strings fastened to a head running deep in the ground Clematis peregrina flore purpureo PUrple Virgins-bower differeth nothing at all from the former but onely in the colour of the flowers those of this being of a sad heavy bluish purple Clematis peregrina flore pleno purpureo THe double purple Virgins-bower in all the parts thereof is like unto the former but bigger and stronger the flowers are of the same colour with those of the last described and exceeding thick and double the outward leaves being broad like the former and the inner narrow and folded close together like a large button in the middle of the flower which open by degrees but so slowly that the outward leaves commonly fall away before the other open or shew themselves which is a great defect in this flower I have heard of two others of this kind which are said to grow in the Florists Gardens about Rome bearing double flowers the one of a bluish Peach-colour and the other white Maracoc sive Clematis Virginiana THe Virginian Climber riseth out of the ground in May with many long round winding stalks more or less according to the age and liking of the Plant which will grow with us to be five six or more foot high from the joynts come forth the leaves at each one and from the middle to the top a small clasper like that of the Vine and a flower also the leaves are broad at the bottom and about the middle divided into three parts nicked about the edges the bud of the flower before it openeth is like unto the seed-vessel of the common single Nigilla but longer having at the top five crooked horns which opening this bud or head divideth it self into ten parts susteining the leaves of the flower which are very many long sharp-pointed narrow and orderly spread open one by another some lying straight others crooked these leaves are of a whitish colour thick-spotted with a Peach colour having towards the bottom a ring of a perfect Peach-colour and above and beneath it a white circle which addeth much to the beauty of the flower in the midst whereof riseth an Umbrane which parteth it self into four or five crooked spotted horns from the midst of these riseth another roundish head which carries three nails or horns biggest above and smallest at the lower end never with us is this flower succeeded by any fruit but in the West Indies its natural Countrey it beareth a fruit like unto a Pomegranate from whence called there Granadilla containing a whitish pulp and many cornered rough black seeds of the bigness of Pear-kernels the roots are long somewhat thicker than those of Sarsa Parilla which run far in the earth and put up heads in several places The Jasmines bring forth their flowers from July untill the middle of August the first white and the common yellow are hardy and will endure our cold Winters and increase fast enough by Suckers but the Indian yellow is tender and not so easily raised this and the Spanish both sorts must be planted in Pots Tubs or Boxes that they may be housed in Winter with us they are usually encreased especially the Spanish kinds by grafting them late in the Spring the Approch-way upon the stock of the common white Jasmine the other Indian Jasmine flowereth about August and will endure the Winter if it be defended in its nonage but older Plants are hardy enough and may be encreased by Layers those which I have I raised from seeds which came from Virginia The double Wood-bind flowereth in May and the red in the end of June there is nothing more easily increased for every branch of either of them will take root
if it but touch the ground much more if it be laid artificially therein the chief use of these and the common white Jasmine is to cover Arbours or adorn the walls of houses Clematis or Virgins-bower the several kinds thereof will be in flower most part of July and August they grow well with us and endure long easily increased by laying the branches these are commonly used to cover Arbours for which purpose they fitly serve but many of the young and small branches are apt to die in Winter which must be pruned in March and the nearer they are cut the fairer the flowers will be in Somer following The Maracoc bringeth forth his beautiful flowers in August and is more tender than the other the stalks die to the ground every Winter and spring again from the roots in May which must be covered and defended from extreme hard frosts in Winter the roots run far and come up in divers places whereby it may be much increased we usually plant them in large Pots in the richest Earth we can get which will stop the running of the roots be conveniently removed into a house in Winter and into the Sun in Somer for unless it stand in some hot place and the Somer be according it will not bear at all therefore to help it forward many with good success set the Pot with this Plant up to the top in a Hot bed where Melons or choice Annuals have been sowed as soon as they are taken off or removed CHAP. VI. HAving passed through those greater woody flower-bearing Trees Shrubs and Plants we will proceed to some lesser whose stalks like the last die to the ground in Winter and rise again from the roots at the Spring and then conclude with some small woody Plants that for the beauty of their flowers are preserved in our choicest Gardens Fraxinella flore rubente BAstard Dittany with a reddish flower riseth up with divers round hard woody brownish stalks about two foot high the lower parts whereof are furnished with many winged leaves resembling those of Liquorish or of a young Ash consisting of seven nine or eleven set together somewhat large and long finely purled about the edges of a sad green colour and strong resinous scent the upper part of the stalks are furnished with many flowers growing in a spike at distances one above another each containing five long leaves whereof four stand on the two sides bending upwards the fifth hanging down turning up again the end of a faint or pale red colour striped through every leaf with a deeper red having a tassel in the middle made of five or six long purplish threds that bow down with the lower leaf and turn up the ends again with a little freeze or thrum at the ends of each of them the flowers are succeeded by hard stiff clammy husks horned or pointed at the ends something like those of the Columbine but bigger rougher and harder wherein is contained round shining black seeds the root is white very large and spreading under ground the whole Plant throughout all the parts thereof hath that strong resinous scent not so pleasant to the Nose as the flowers are delightful to the Eye Fraxinella flore rubro BAstard Dittany with a red flower differeth from the former in that it is bigger in all the parts thereof the leaves of a darker green colour the flowers grow in a longer spike and of a deeper red colour of this kind there is another raised from the seeds of this whose flowers grow thicker on the stalk than any other kind and are of a deep bloudy red colour Flaxinella flore albo BAstard Dittany with a white flower hath the leaves and stalks of a fresher green colour than any of the former and the flowers white and not altogether so big in no other thing differing from the former Fraxinella flore albo caeruleo BAstard Dittany with an Ash-coloured flower differeth onely from the last in the colour of the flowers those of this being of a pale blue or Ash colour there is also another variety of this raised from the seeds of this kind which is lesser in all the parts thereof than any of the other and the flowers are of a bleak blue colour striped with a deeper blue or violet colour Having now done with the varieties of the stately though strong-scented Fraxinella we will conclude with a kind or two of sweet-smelling Cistus leaving the many other diversities to their natural habitations being Plants so tender that the trouble in keeping them would be more than the pleasure of having them Cistus mas THe male Cistus is a small shrubby Plant growing with us about three or four foot high having many slender brittle woody branches covered with a whitish bark whereon are set many long and something narrow whitish green leaves crumpled and something hard in handling two standing at every joynt the flowers come forth at the ends of the branches three or four together upon slender foot-stalks each consisting of five small round leaves like unto a small single Rose of a fine reddish purple colour with many yellow threds in the middle which soon fall away and are succeeded by round hard hairy heads containing small brown seeds Cistus Ledon THe Gum Cistus riseth higher and spreadeth more than the former with many blackish woody branches whereon are set divers long narrow dark green leaves but whiter on the backsides standing two together at every joynt the stalk and leaves being bedewed with a clammy sweet moisture but much more in hot Countries than in ours which being artificially taken off is that black sweet Gum called Ladanum at the tops of the branches stand single white flowers larger than those of the former like single Roses with five leaves each having at the bottom a dark purplish spot broad below and pointed upwards with some yellow threds in the middle after the flowers are past cornered heads succeed wherein is contained small brownish seeds like those of the former The Fraxinella's are in flower about the end of June and continue most of July the seed is ready to gather about the end of August which will by the springing of the Pods be all lost unless care be taken to prevent it This is a hardy Plant and will endure many years without removing and yield many new Plants which in the beginning of March may be taken from the old root they are also raised from seeds sowed in rich earth as soon as the frosts are past in February from whence varieties may be raised especially from those of the deep red the white and the Ash colour The Cistus is raised from seeds and the Plants housed in Winter for they will not endure the cold air CHAP. VII HAving now done with all such Greens Flower-bearing Trees Shrubs and woody Plants that are of most beauty and esteem we will proceed to Flowers beginning with those vulgarly called French Flowers which are such as have either Scaly Bulbous
and narrower varied and marbled with a deeper and lighter Scarlet Ranunculus Asiaticus flore simplici diversorum colorum RAnunculus of Asia with single flowers are of divers sorts and colours which chiefly differ from the first double red in the flowers which commonly are composed of five something broad leaves with a thrummy head in the middle much resembling a single Anemonie In some the flowers are red some yellow deeper or lighter and others spotted and striped about the edges with red with several other pretty varieties both of plain and mixed colours and we have one of the Gyants race which beareth on a branched stalk three or four single flowers consisting of seven broad round-pointed leaves of a greenish pale yellow at first after milk-white the leaves spotted and tipt with reddish purple and another more rare called the Archducal Ranunculus which hath the single flower finely marked with three good colours These several sorts of Ranunculus are pretty flowers and many of them worthy of esteem especially the double kinds they bring forth their beautiful flowers in April and May which continue a long time before they fall The roots of those of Candy may be taken up and kept out of ground in Sand for some time but require to be planted in September The yellow of Asia is hardy and will prosper well without being taken up all the other are nice and tender and require to be planted in rich sandy and ranker earth than that directed for Anemones the roots are every year to be taken up about Midsommer well dryed and kept in Papers or Boxes as Anemones untill such time they are to be set for if they be left in the ground or set too soon they will come up before the great Frosts which unless carefully covered will destroy them I use to set them towards the end of December and in warm and early grounds January is soon enough the roots may be parted and set severally six inches asunder in rows three fingers deep where if the soil be agreeable they will come up in March and about the beginning of May bring forth gallant flowers and much increase by roots and although Ranunculus require a ranker and more sandy earth than Anemones yet it may be over rank if you suspect it to be so when you set your roots take off some of the earth and in the place thereof cover the bed about an inch thick all over with good fresh earth taken next under the turf of some good Pasture finely sifted and if two stiff mingle it with fine brook sand place the roots thereon then cover them with a little of the same earth and lastly finish your covering with that earth you took off your bed so that the roots may be three inches under ground some set their Anemones and Ranunculus in the end of September and assoon as they come up shelter them with supported Mats which must for an hour every fair day be taken off to air the bed and prevent mouldiness for if they be not carefully defended from hard Frosts and Snows it will soon kill them all therefore to avoid such trouble and danger of loss I preferr late setting as needing no attendance or ever failing to answer my expectation In March and April when they are come up and begin to rise to flower they must be often well watered for then they require moisture too much of which in the Winter destroys them some years some of their roots will lye in the ground and not spring at all which take up and dry with the rest and they will bear flowers nevertheless the year following Unto these nobler kinds of Ranunculus or Crow-foot some others of our old acquaintance may be joyned they are now common I must confess yet bear fair flowers and were they as strange and nice as some of the former they would be more esteemed these being too familiar to be much affected and kept with so little care that few care for them and therefore it will suffice onely to name them and so conclude this Chapter Ranunculus Anglicus THe English Crow-foot with a grumous root commonly called Chelidonium minus or the lesser Pile-wort differeth not at all from that common weed which grows in every hedge with single shinning yellow flowers but onely that the flowers of this are thick and double this Plant I found wild many years since and setting it in my Garden it much increased so that I gave many roots thereof to divers about London and other places and am confident that most of the Plants that are in England came from that one root which I found for I could never hear of any other that found it wild in any place Ranunculus albus flore pleno THe double white Crow-foot hath large leaves cut into fine divisions and notched about the edges of a fresh green colour on the upper side and pale underneath full of ribs and veins the stalk about half a yard high divided into several branches bearing many small but very double fine white flowers the root is composed of many thick long whitish strings fastened to a something big head Caltha Palustris flore pleno THe double Marsh-Marigold is no other than that we commonly call the Water-Boot so plentiful in wet grounds onely the flowers of this are thick and double of an excellent Gold yellow colour the roots are stringy and prosper well in Gardens there are three other sorts of double yellow Crow-foot common in our Country as that with the round root called the Batchelors button the common running Crow-foot with double flowers and the small double flowered Grass Crow-foot The Pile-wort flowereth in March and will grow any where and increase too fast the double white Crow-foot and Marsh-Marigold flower in April and set in good ground will continue many years unremoved and yield increase from the roots which are to be planted in Autumn in a moist place and something out of the scorching Sun CHAP. XXV Aconitum WOlfe-bane is of divers kinds yet there is but one fit for our purpose which with the Radix Cava or Hollow root give me leave to place in one Chapter and first of of the Aconite Aconitum Hyemale THe Winter Wolf-bane riseth out of ground commonly in January with round cut green leaves standing on short foot-foot-stalks and with them the flowers which are small and yellow made of five leaves like a single Crow-foot with yellow threds in the middle the root is thick and tuberous like unto that of the common red narrow-leaved Anemone but rounder and loseth its fibres every year as the Anemones do Aconitum Hyemale flore pallido THe pale Winter Wolf-bane is in all things like the former onely the flowers of this are of a pale yellow colour and in some plants almost white These two sorts of Aconite do bring forth their flowers with the green leaves commonly in January for which they are onely esteemed the roots may be set in any of the Sommer
high or more with small leaves to the middle thereof from whence it is divided into many branches bearing a multitude of small star-like flowers of a yellowish green colour the root is thick and big at the head with divers great white strings which run down deep into the ground there strongly fastened and abiding many years unremoved Helleborus albus flore atro rubente THe white Hellebor with a dark red flower differeth from the last in that it cometh up a moneth before it with larger leaves smaller and finer plaited the flowers are lesser than those of the former and of a dark red or sad liver-colour This is a stately plant and will deserve its place in the best Florists garden There are some lesser sorts of Hellebor which we call Helleborine whereof two or three are worth our acquaintance and therefore fit to be inserted Helleborine major sive Calceolus Mariae OUr Ladies slipper cometh up with divers stalks about half a yard high compassed at the bottom with broad green leaves like those of white Hellebor but smaller and not plained at the tops of the stalks come forth one two and sometimes three flowers one above another upon small short foot-stalks with a small leaf at the foot of each the flowers in form are Oval the upper part hollow and the lowerround and swelling at the hollow part are two small slippets wherewith at the first the hollowness is covered but after open and stand apart from each other these flowers are in some of a pale yellow and in others more rare of a brown colour tending to purple the roots are composed of many dark brown strings interlaced one within the other lying under the upper crust of the earth and not deeper as those of the former kinds Helleborine minor flore albo THe small white Hellebor riseth up like the last but not so high neither are the leaves so large and of a whiter green colour the stalk beareth in a spike many small white flowers consisting of five leaves and a small close hood in the middle the roots are many small strings running in the upper part of the earth Helleborine minor flore purpurante THe small purplish Hellebor is like the last described but that the leaves are narrower the flowers smaller and of purplish blush-colour The true black Hellebor flowreth about Christmas the two white Hellebors in June the Ladies Slipper and the white Helleborine in the end of April or beginning of May and that with the purplish flower about the beginning of June The roots of the black and white Hellebor are hardy and abide long unremoved therefore fit to be at first set in good ground and where they may stand the Helleborines are found wild in some parts of York and Lancashire and therefore do not require too rich a soil I received all the varieties before mentioned from that honest Gentleman my never to be forgotten friend Mr. Roger Brodshaw who found them in the shady woods near his house in Lancashire there is another small Plant which may properly be mentioned in this place of which a word or two before we conclude this Chapter Lilium Convallium flore albo THe white Convall Lily May Lily or the Lily of the valley for by all these names it is called hath a small stringy root which runneth in the ground and cometh up in divers places with three or four long and broad leaves somthing resembling those of the lesser Helleborine from whence riseth up a small naked stalk bearing at the top one above another hanging all on one side many little white flowers like little Bottles with open mouths which are of a comfortable sweet scent Lilium Convallium flore rubente THe Conval Lily with a reddish flower differs only from the former in that the flowers are of a fine pale red colour and therefore more esteemed than the other which is found growing wild in divers places in the North. They both flower in May and will increase too fast but bear best in the shade and in a mean soil I never read or heard of any other plant called the Lily of the vally and if this be that mentioned in the Canticles I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valley perhaps it was by the Rose to typify lovely Majesty and by this small low flower virtuous Humility it having an especial property to help weak memories raise Apoplectick persons cheer the heart and ease the pains of the Gout CHAP. XXVIII Gentiana GEntian is of several sorts some greater and some smaller we will make choice of one of each and leave the rest as fitter for a general history than this collection of flowers and first of that rare medicinable plant called Gentiana major flore flavo THe great Gentian with a yellow flower from a great thick yellow bitter root riseth up with a long round and pointed head of leaves closing each other which opening lie upon the ground and are long broad and plaited like unto those of the white Hellebor but softer and more pliable from among which the stalk cometh up which is stiff round full of joynts and above a yard high with two small leaves at every joynt compassing the stalk which from the middle to the top thereof is adorned with many rundles or Coronets of flowers standing at every joynt with two green leaves under them which are laid open like Stars of a yellow colour with some threds in the middle which are succeeded by round heads containing seeds like unto those of the Fritillaria Gentianella verna GEntian of the Spring or Gentianella as it is commonly called hath divers small hard green leaves growing in tufts close to the ground ribbed and veined like to other Gentians from among which riseth up a small short stalk bearing at the top one fair large hollow bell-fashioned flower with open brims ending in five corners of an excellent deep blew colour with some white spots in the bottome on the inside the roots are small pale yellow long strings which run in the ground and put forth leaves in divers places whereby it increaseth so fast that it is now grown common in every ordinary Garden The great Gentian flowereth from June to July and the Gentianella from April to May the first increaseth slowly by the root and it is hardly raised from seeds in respect those plants that grow in England seldome bring any to perfection and if any plants be gotten up from seeds it will be many years before they come to bear flowers the root must be planted in September in rich ground under a South wall and carefully defended from frosts in the Winter the other will prosper in almost any soil so it be in an open air CHAP. XXIX Campanula BEll-flowers are of several sorts as well double as single and some of them worthy acceptance wherewith this Chapter will acquaint you Campanula Percifolio PEach-leaved Bell-flowers have many small leaves like those of the Peach-tree
lying on the ground from whence many stalks rise up two foot high bearing from the middle to the head divers flowers which are short round at the head and wider at the brims parted into five points in one pure white and in another pale blew the roots are many small strings creeping under the upper crust of the earth and increase very much these are common in every Garden but I have often heard of others of both these kinds which are reported to bear double flowers Campanula Pyramidalis STeeple Bell-flower riseth with many tall stalks higher than those of the former garnished with bigger and smoother dark green leavs resembling those of Beets bearing a multitude of flowers in a Pyramidical form which are of the fashion of the former but lesser in some blew in others white the plant is full of milky juice the roots large stringy and yielding milk like the branches Trachelium majus THe great Canterbury Bells have large rough leaves like those of a Nettle but bigger the stalks are square divided into branches whereon stand divers long hollow flowers like Bells wide at the brims and parted into five points in some white and in others of a deeper or paler violet purple the roots are hard and stringy increasing and abiding many years although the leaves and stalks die to the ground every Winter Trachelium majus flore duplici DOuble Canterbury Bells differ in nothing from the last but in that the flowers are double consisting of two or three rows of leaves which as in the former are in some of these white and in others blew or purple Trachelium Giganteum GYants Throat-wort hath long leaves of an over-worn green colour rough and hollow in the middle a little indented about the edges the stalk riseth two cubits high set with leaves from among which the flowers come forth which are Bell-fashioned divided at the brims into five points which turn back and are of whitish purple colour the root is like those of the former and as long lasting Trachelium Americanum sive planta Cardinalis THe Cardinals-flower hath many leaves like those of Canterbury bells but lesser and of a yellowish green colour from among which rise tall hollow-stalks beset with leaves smaller by degrees to the top from the bosoms whereof the flowers come forth consisting of five long narrow leaves three of them standing close together and hanging down right the other two are turned up with an umbone betwixt them of somewhat a paler colour than the leaves which are of an excellent rich crimson-colour the root is composed of very many white strings and if it be well looked unto abideth many years There is another of this kind which lately came from Virginia with blew flowers They flower from the end of May commonly untill August those with Peach-leaves first and the Cardinals-flower last All these Bell-flowers are easily increased by parting the roots in September and thrive well in almost any soil so they stand not too hot in the Sun Cardinals-flower is more tender and must be planted in good light earth in a pot that it may be housed in Winter for it will not endure Frost The most worthy of these are the two sorts of Campanula with double flowers if there be any such the two double sorts of Canterbury Bells and the Cardinals-flower the rest are of small esteem yet many for want of better things afford them room in their Gardens The Cardinals-flower must be set in a pot in good rich light earth and when Winter begins to grow sharp set the pot in the ground under a South-wall three inches deeper than the top and cloath it about and on the pot with dry Moss covered with a glass which in warm days and gentle showers take off to refresh the Plant this course is more fit for this Plant than housing and with some others to this rule referred which must be observed untill April and then you may take out the pots and safely expose them CHAP. XXX Jucca Indica Periploca Virginiana THe Indian Jucca or that we call so is a Plant of some reputation with Florists and Periploca of Virginia which Mr. Parkinson calls Virginian Silk is kept in some good Gardens both which though of different kinds faces and qualities we will comprehend in this Chapter as also some other Indian Plants that are contented to live with us and first of that called but not truely Jucca Indica THe Indian Jucca hath a great thick tuberous root with large fibres from whence springeth up a great round tuft of hard long hollow green leaves with points as sharp as thorns which always remain and fall not away except it be some of those that stand outward which are recompensed by others that spring from the middle from whence sometimes in an old and well kept plant springeth up a strong round stalk divided into several branches which bear divers flowers something resembling those of the common Fretillaria but narrower at the bottom containing six leaves the three outer veined on the backs from the bottom to the middle with a reddish blush upon white these flowers come forth in July and soon fall away without bringing any seeds in our Country This Plant must be set in a large square Box wide and deep filled with good rich earth where being housed in Winter and defended from Frosts it may remain many years it never increaseth with us yet there are now many Plants thereof in England which have been brought from our Plantations in the West-Indies Periploca Virginiana VIrginian Silk is a Plant more respected for being a stranger than for the beauty of the flowers it riseth up with one or more round stalks almost four foot high set at several joynts with two long broad-veined round-pointed green leaves at the top of the stalk out of a skinny-hose cometh forth a great tuft of flowers to the number of thirty or fourty hanging down on long foot-stalks each flower consisting of five small hollow-leaves of a pale purplish colour neither fair nor pleasant after they are past come long croked codds standing upright containing flat brown seeds wrapped within a great deal of fine soft whitish brown silk the root is big long and white running far under ground and spring up in many places it flowereth in July and sometimes but not every year bringeth seeds and silk in August it groweth abundantly in Virginia and hath been raised often by seeds that have come from thence and although the stalks dy to the ground every Winter the root is of long continuance and will send forth new at the Spring especially if the place where it standeth be covered with horse-dung in Winter to defend it from the Frosts Canna Indica THe Indian flowering Reed riseth up with fair large green leaves coming from the joynts of the stalk at first folded after spread open the stalk is above a yard high bearing at the top one above another divers flowers like in
the end thereof then cover it which being shaded for some time and watered if the ground be any thing good will grow and prosper very well and certainly this is the best and most absolute way to raise double stocks of any kind that hath been practised by any and in the like manner you may cut and set slips of the best Wall-flowers Gilliflowers or of any other woody Plant that will grow of slips a pretty practice for Ladies and Gentlewomen for whose sakes chiefly it is here inserted they may also be increased by laying the slips after the manner of Gilliflowers CHAP. XXXVI Hesperis sive Viola Matronalis DAmes Violet or Queens Gilliflower is a common Plant growing plentifully in every Country-womans Garden and by them called Close Siences of which they have two sorts one bearing pale blush and the other white flowers both single consisting of four leaves onely but we have three nobler varieties of this flower worthy to be received into the choicest Gardens the first of them and most known is called Hesperis flore pleno albo THe double white Queens Gilliflower is in all parts so like the common single kinde except the flowers that I need to set down onely their differences those of this are very many on one branch and one stalk often times hath many branches of flowers which stand close and thick together commonly in a long spike each flower being thick and double of a pure white colour and delicate sweet scent especially in the evening for which property it is called Hesperis Hesperis flore pleno purpurascente THe double purplish Queens Gilliflower differeth in nothing from the former but in the colour of the flowers those of this being as many on one stalk or branch as thick and double and of the same scent but of a fine pleasant light reddish purple-colour deeper than that of the common single kind and of newer date than the double white Hesperis flore pleno variegata THe double striped Queens Gilliflower is in all parts like the last but that the flowers which are of the same purplish colour are finely striped with white and therefore more esteemed than either of the other of this sort we have one that beareth single striped flowers respected for the seeds sake which sowed may produce varieties They flower from May to the end of July and are easily raised for almost any slip or branch thereof set in the ground shaded and watered will grow onely the nipping of the buds for flowers from such new set Plants as soon as they appear would not be neglected the single kinds will seed from which the double sorts have been raised CHAP. XXXVII Ptarmica flore pleno aliis DOuble Pellitory and others for in this Chapter I shall give you several Plants that bear double white flowers and although they be of several families I have joyned them together for that each of them would scarce deserve a particular Chapter and all of them bear pretty flowers and are entertained for variety in most Florists Gardens the double wild Pellitory hath tall slender stalks set with long narrow green leaves snipt about the edges like unto the single that grow wild in the fields bearing at the top of the stalk many small double white flowers the roots are composed of many long white strings which run in the ground and spring up in divers places whereby it is very apt to be increased Parthenium flore pleno DOuble Featherfew is in all things like unto the common single kind well known unto all the onely difference is in the flowers which of this are very thick and double being white and something yellow in the middle this is increased by setting the slips that run not up to flower in the end of August Chamaemelum flore pleno DOuble Camomill is like the ordinary but that the green leaves are of a fresher green colour and larger the flowers of this also are larger and very double being white with some yellowness in the middle this is more tender than the common kind and must yearly be renued by setting young slips thereof in the Spring Cotula flore pleno DOuble Dogy-fenel hath many small deep dark green leaves bearing at the tops of the branches divers broad spread double white flowers without scent the root is composed of many small strings and increased by setting the slips in the end of August nipping of the buds for flowers as soon as any appear Cardamine flore pleno DOuble Lady Smocks hath many winged leaves lying on the ground like those of the wild kind from whence many small stalks come forth bearing many double white flowers the small stringy roots creep in the ground and come up in divers places Bellis flore pleno DOuble Daisies are of divers sorts and some of them for variety entertained in good Gardens the chiefest are the greater white the all-red the great red and white the childing Daysie the abortive naked double green Daysie and divers other varieties there are scarce worthy naming they all flower in April and may be easily increased by parting the roots in the Spring or Autumn if they stand too much in the Sun unless often watered it will soon scorch and destroy them CHAP. XXXVIII Caryophilbus hortensis GIlliflowers are the pride of Somer as Tulips are the glories of the Spring all those now in esteem are such as in Holland and Flanders have been raised from seeds which is the cause they are so frail and apt to perish after they have born flowers we had heretofore many good kinds that were not seedlings but few of them now to be found in any of our Gardens Of these Dutch flowers I have known more than a hundred distinct varieties by several names all of them fair large thick and double flowers well striped flaked marbled or powdered with white or blush either upon darker or lighter red crimson or carnation sadder or brighter purple deeper or paler Scarlet and white so that all the best varieties now in being may be comprehended under these three sorts that is red and white purple and white and scarlet and white in all which colours there are many fine varieties the which we will insert under those names by which they are generally received and known beginning with a dozen of the best in every sort the rest being all very good flowers but indeed there is no end of these seed-flowers every year producing new varieties and perhaps within two or three years few of those now in esteem left for commonly the Plants after they have born flowers die in Winter a property common to most seedlings To describe every particular flower would be tedious and to small purpose in respect of their frailty therefore I conceive the naming the best in every sort will be sufficient to inform those that desire to collect them which done we shall further enlarge touching their propagation culture planting and preservation Gilliflowers red and white GHarles
most common is that called Antirrhinum album THe white Snap-Dragon is so common that I need say no more of it but we have another kind thereof that is more rare and this is called Antirrhinum album variegatum THe white variegated Snap-Dragon is in all things like the common white but onely that the upper broad leaf that is divided in the middle and turned up at the edges hath on the inside many small long feathered lines of a fine purplish colour which addeth much to the beauty of the flower Antirrhinum rubrum THe red Snap-Dragon is of two or three sorts the best hath flowers like the former but that they are of the colour of a deep red Rose the other are red but paler than each other and there is another that beareth smaller red flowers than the former having a yellow spot in the Nose of the flower as all the rest have but in this circled as it were almost about with white Antirrhinum lutcum THe yellow Snap-Dragon is in all things like the common white and onely differing in that the flowers are of a fair yellow colour They flower from May to July and the seeds are ripe in August All these kinds of Snap-Dragons are raised from seeds and bear flowers the second year from the sowing and then commonly the old roots having perfected their seeds perish yet the slips of them being taken off and set in the manner directed for double stock-Gilliflowers will grow and bear flowers the year following the best slips for this purpose are those that do not rise up to flower and the best time to set them the end of May or beginning of June I have now several Plants of the variegated white and best red raised from slips and have thereby preserved the kinds many years without sowing their seeds CHAP. IV. Linaria WIld and Tode-flax have some varieties planted in Gardens the which we will onely name and so pass them over being Plants of small esteem and first of the Wild flax Wild flax with a white flower hath many slender stalks a foot high set thick with broader leaves than the common Flax bearing at the top many white flowers made of five somthing large leaves with small lines of purple the seed is like that of the manured kind but the root will abide many years after the sowing and although the branches dye to the ground in Winter new will come up at the Spring Wild flax with a yellow flower hath many reddish stalks set with leaves like those of St. Johns-wort bearing at the top many flowers like the former but of a yellow colour the seeds are black but not shining and the roots abide in the ground like those of the white Purple Tode-flax hath fat narrow long leaves of a whitish green colour shipt about the edges the stalks bearing in a spike divers small flowers made in the fashion of the common Wild Tode-flax but lesser and without heels behind which are either of a sadder purple or paler violet with a yellow spot in the gaping place of every flower the seed is small and flat of a grayish colour and the root dies soon after the seed is ripe Sweet purple Tode-flax hath leaves lying on the ground like those of a Daisie but bigger with smaller up the stalk which is branched at the top and plentifully furnished with many small and if the season be hot sweet flowers something like those of the last but of a lighter purple the seeds are also alike but of a reddish colour and the root perisheth in the like manner Toad-flax of Valentia hath more and bigger stalks than the former with leaves like unto those of small Centory at the tops of the stalks come forth the flowers like in fashion to the common wild kind but lesser of a fair yellow colour the gaping mouth down and the heel behind of a purplish colour Broom Tode-flax is onely commendable for the thick standing of many small fair green leaves in a bush it riseth up with a streight upright stalk about a yard high divided into many branches and those thick set with fair green leaves long and narrow like those of the common Flax at the joynts come forth small reddish flowers not worth regarding which are succeeded by small blackish seeds and the whole Plant dies at the first approach of Winter They flower in July and August and the seed is ripe soon after those whose roots abide the Winter are fit to be set together the rest sowed with other annuals or seedlings in some place open to the Sun the best of them is they are apt to come up and need but small attendance CHAP. V. Digitalis FOx-gloves are of three several sorts that is a greater a middle kind and a lesser and these are of three principal colours which are purple white and yellow the best that are received into Gardens are those following Digitalis major ferruginea THe Dun-coloured Fox-glove hath long nicked grayish green leaves a stalk five or six foot high bearing a multitude of small and short flowers of a yellowish dun-colour with a long lip at the lower side of each of them the flowers are succeeded by cods containing small dusty seeds the roots commonly perish after seeding but if they stand warm and are defended from Frosts in Winter the Plants will continue two or three years Digitalis media flore luteo rubente THe Orenge-tawny Fox-glove is of a middle size having leaves a little bigger than those of the lesser yellow the flowers are long and narrow of a fair yellowish brown colour inclining to an Orenge-tawney the seeds are like the former and the roots commonly perish after the seeds are ripe Digitalis alba major minor THe great white Fox-glove differeth from the common red of the field in that the leaves and stalks are of a yellowish green colour and the flowers wholly white there is a lesser kind that is more rare it hath the leaves and stalks shorter the flowers lesser of a pure white colour and thicker set on the stalk Digitalis major lutea THe great yellow Fox-glove hath leaves like but lesser than those of the wild kind the stalk riseth three or four foot high bearing many long hollow pendulous flowers shorter than those of the common kinde and wider open at the brims the seeds are like those of the former and the root more woody and of long continuance Digitalis minor lutea pallida THe small pale yellow Fox-glove hath something broad smooth dark green leaves finely snipt about the edges a stalk two foot high bearing a multitude of long hollow small pale yellow flowers which are succeeded by seeds like those of the rest but smaller the root is composed of divers hard strings and longer lasting than any of the former They flower in June and July and that with dun flowers seldom before August All these kinds of Fox-gloves are raised from seeds and none of them bear flowers until the second year
paler underneath and sometimes there will come diversities from the seeds of one flower some being paler than others these fair great double flowers rise out of a large pod wherein after they are past long narrow black seeds are contained from which the several varieties are raised and some of them will bring large single flowers with a thrum in the middle although taken from double flowers Flos Africanus fistuloso flore multiplex THe hollow-leafed African or French Marigold is like the last but smaller the flowers are thick and double composed of many hollow leaves opening at the ends in some of a deep in others of a paller yellow colour and as the former so the seeds of this will sometimes bring single flowers Flos Africanus minor flore pleno THe lesser double French or African Marigold hath lesser leaves than any of the former the stalks not so strong and upright but leaning and turning divers ways the flowers are thick and double but much smaller than those of the other kinds sometimes wholly of a gold-yellow colour and sometimes the outer leaves being bigger than those within are of a deeper and sad colour the seeds of this do likewise bring some single flowers as well as double and diversities of both as bigger and lesser deeper and paler but none of them much esteemed in respect of their evil smell The two first kinds flower about the beginning of September and the last common sort sooner the roots perish with the first Frosts and are yearly renewed by seeds for which purpose the first flowers are to be preserved and the seeds sowed in the beginning of April in a hot bed especially those of the two first kinds and after they are come up and of some strength removed into a good rich soil that standeth in the Sun where being watered they will prosper and bear store of gallant double flowers the seed whereof are onely to be preserved CHAP. XV Convolvulus Caeruleus BLew Binde weed is of two sorts a bigger and a lesser the first riseth up with many long winding branches set with large and something round leaves pointed at the ends the flowers come forth at the joynts upon long foot-stalks which being blown open are like bells with broad open mouths ending in five corners of a fair blew colour tending to purple these flowers open in the night and are to be seen in the morning before the Sun for as soon as it shines upon them they are all gone and never appear again after the flowers are past the husks contain round black seeds the roots perish in Winter There is of this kind another that hath cornered leaves like Ivy the flowers of a deeper blew more reddish in the five plaits and bottom in all other things like the former The lesser Bind-weed hath smaller and longer leaves than the first and a weak stalk rising about two foot high the flowers come forth at the joynts where the leaves stand like the other in fashion but lesser and far more beautiful being of a fair blew colour with a white Star in the bottom the seeds are like the former but smaller and the root dies with the first approach of Winter The greater kinds flower late in September the lesser in June and July they are yearly raised from seeds the first requiring a hot bed but the other is hardy and will come up and thrive without that trouble as for the red flowered Bind weed of America we must not expect to see it bear in England and the Lavender leafed Bind-weed is a weed indeed common in many fields in divers English Countries We have another sort of Bell-flowers raised from seeds called Viola Mariana MArians Violet or Canterbury Bells the first year after the seeds are sowen cometh up with many hairy leaves something broad and long spread on the ground the year after the stalk riseth a yard high divided into many branches set with smaller leaves and a multitude of flowers standing in green husks which are large round hollow Bells swelling in the middle with narrow necks and ending in five corners in some of a white or silver colour and in others of a pale or deep purple the seed is small contained in square husks and the whole Plant dies as soon as the seeds are ripe so that the kinds are continued by sowing the seeds in April with other annuals and after removed where the Plants may stand to bear flowers CHAP. XVI Stramonium THorn-Aple is of two sorts a greater and a lesser the first riseth up with a strong round stalk four or five foot high spreading at the joynts into many branches set with large dark green cornered leaves cut and jagged about the edges at the joynts come forth large Bell-fashioned white flowers which are succeeded by great round and somthing prickly Thorny green heads which being ripe open into three or four parts and discover a great quantity of blackish flat seeds within them the root dies in Winter and new Plants often come up of its own sowing There is another little differing from this but that the flowers are of a light purple colour The lesser Thorn-Aple differeth from the former in that it is lower and much lesser in all the parts thereof the leaves are smooth and rent at the edges and the stalks without branches the flowers come forth at the joynts like the other not so big but more beautiful white in colour and like a Bell in fashion the Aples or heads that contain the seeds are lesser rounder and harder than those of the greater kind the root dies at the first appearance of Winter We talk much of two other varieties of this lesser kind the one bearing flowers ingeminated or hose in hose one coming out of the other and another that is double consisting of two or more rows of leaves rising equally together I have seen the figures of both these well cut in Brass in two or three Books of Flowers Printed in Forein Countries and it is like that such there are in those parts but I am confident they were never seen in England otherwise than in picture For that with single flowers will hardly flower with us and if it do it is so late that it seldom yieldeth any good seeds the greater kind is common and will grow any where the fittest place is in an Orchard or Kitchen-Garden for it takes more room than the Plant deserves CHAP. XVII Mirabilia Peruviana THe Mervail of Peru hath a big stalk bunched at the joynts of a fair green colour in those that will bear white and red flowers red in those with red flowers dark green in those with yellow flowers and brown in those with red and yellow flowers these stalks spread into many branches set at the joynts with fair green leaves betwixt which and the stalk the flowers come forth on short foot-stalks in fashion like those of the lesser blew Bind-weed narrow at the bottom and wide open at the brims
which in several Plants are of the fore-mentioned colours as white red or yellow but the rarest are those with variegated flowers either red and white or red and yellow these flowers like those of the Bind-weeds open in the night and as soon as the Sun shine upon them the brims shrink inward and wither away so that they are to be seen late in evenings or early in mornings and therefore have been called the flowers of the night after the flowers are past each of them is succeeded by one seed of the bigness of a small Pease with a short neck like a little bottle the roots are long like a Raddish blackish on the outside and commonly perishing in Winter They flower from the end of July untill Winter check their luxury the seeds are set in the beginning of April in a hot bed and thence removed into some place where they may have the benefit of the Sun such roots as flower not the first year being covered in Winter with Horse-litter will bear sooner the year following and yield good seeds and the roots of such as have born being taken up in the beginning of Winter laid for a time to dry and then wrapped severally in Woollen rags and so kept all the Winter being set in the ground in the beginning of March will prosper and bear flowers in due season heretofore this flower hath been much esteemed and yet is by many much desired CHAP. XVIII Pomum Amoris APles of love are of three sorts the most common hath long trailing branches set at the joynts with winged rough leaves and yellow flowers which are succeeded by Aples as we call them of the bigness of an ordinary Crab not round but bunched on the sides of a pale Orenge-colour full of a waterish slimy pulp wherein small seeds are contained the root dieth in Winter Of this kind there is another sort that differeth onely in that the Aples are of a pale yellow colour and we have a third that is of a lesser kind smaller in all the parts thereof and bearing many fine round Berries of a bright Orenge-colour containing a slimy pulp and small seeds as the rest do These Plants are received onely for the beauty of the Aples or Berries as they are commonly called the flowers being not considerable the seeds are yearly sowed in the beginning of April and must be often watered to bring them forward else Winter will take them before the fruit be ripe which seldom comes to perfection before the middle of September CHAP. XIX Thlaspi Creticum CAndy tufts are small Plants rising about a foot high with stalks set with long narrow notched whitish-green leaves at the tops stand many small single flowers close set together which in some Plants are all white others have a purplish spot in the middle and some are all of a pale purple colour the seeds are small and reddish and the roots yearly perish They flower in the beginning of July and will thrive in almost any ground being sowed in April with other annuals CHAP. XX. Lupinus Sativus GArden Lupins are chiefly of four sorts the first and most common is that with yellow flowers of which kind there is another in all things like unto it but that the flowers are white the two other sorts are called blew Lupins whereof there is a bigger and a lesser but the bigger is much the better they bear Pease-like blossoms of a blew colour with some mixture of purple and white in the middle they are yearly sowed of the Pease-like spotted seeds in April with other annuals Unto these may be added the Scarlet Kidney Bean now common and well known unto all that delight in flowers this groweth taller and rampeth more than any of the other twining about what is near it the beauty of this Plant consists in the flowers which in fashion are like those of the field Bean but of an excellent bright Scarlet colour after the flowers are past the Beans are contained in long codds which may be eaten green as other Kidney Beans are which when they are ripe are of delicate reddish marbled colour and some of them black these must be set before April and where they may have room and the benefit of the Sun CHAP. XXI Lathyrus latifolius PEase everlasting although it be a Plant of long continuance yet it is raised from the seeds which being like small Pease and sowed will be two or three years before the Plants grow big enough to bear flowers and after the roots will continue long the branches dying to the ground in Winter and rising again at the Spring it beareth many large Pease-like blossoms of a purplish red colour standing on long foot-foot-stalks this is commonly planted under Walls where it may be supported for if the Plant be old the branches will grow to a great length and twine with claspers about what is next it Orobus Venetus BLew everlasting Pease differeth from the former in that the Plant is much smaller and the flowers of a Violet purple colour not so common yet as long lasting and raised from seeds like the former CHAP. XXII Medica SNails or Button are of divers sorts raised yearly from Pease-like seeds only regarded for the vessels which in some are like a Snails house smooth rouled up others prickly some like small Buttons and others rough and hairy and of all these sorts varieties pretty toyes for such as delight in simple seedlings like unto these there are others called Scorpioides CAterpillers like the last are only esteemed for the seed vessels which are like green Worms or Caterpillars some bigger and others lesser the Plants trail on the ground and must be supported the seeds yearly sowed in April the common time for most seedlings Hedysarum clypiatum THe red Satten flower vulgarly called French Hony-suckle is common in most Gardens it hath many stalks set with winged green leaves and at the joynts come forth smaller stalks set with many flowers of a shining red colour and in some white but more rare or seldome found than the red which is ordinary after the flowers are past the seeds are contained in flat round husks three or four standing one above another they flower in June and July the second year after the sowing seed and die at Winter following Planta Mimosa THe Sensible Plant and the Humble Plant from seeds yearly gained out of America and sowed upon a hot bed covered with glasses and carefully preserved will rise with woody stalks set with small winged leaves about a foot high respected only for that by touching the leaves of the Sensible you may perceive them to shrink from you and the Humble to fall of their own accord as sensible of injury and disdaining to be handled the one out of Pride the other Humility they are curiosities scarce able to requite the care of attendance perishing with the first Frosts and good seeds hardly obtained Ocimum BAssil is a sweet-smelling Herb well known unto all especially the
Grumous or Tuberous roots from whence the Leaves Stalks and Flowers do yearly spring most of them dying even to the very roots shortly after their flowering and first of Lilies and their kinds whereof there are many diversities the Martagons being of the same family out of all which I shall cull the best and purposely omit the rest as Vulgars not worthy entertainment the Crown Imperial is also a kind of Lily which although it be common and of small regard yet to follow the example of divers good Florists and to make way for some newer and nobler kinds thereof than were formerly known we will begin this Chapter of Lilies and Martagons therewith and so pass to the rest in order Corona Imperialis THe Crown Imperial hath a great round Fox-scented root from whence springeth up a tall and strong stalk garnished from the ground unto the middle thereof with many long shining green leaves from whence it is naked upwards bearing at the top a tuft of small green leaves and under them eight or ten flowers according to the age of the Plant hanging down round about the stalk in fashion like unto a Lily consisting of six leaves of an Orenge colour with many veins of a deeper colour on the backsides of the flowers next the stalks every leaf thereof hath a bunch or eminence of a sadder Orenge colour than the rest of the flowers and on the inside those bunches are filled with sweet-tasted clear drops of water like unto Pearls each flower having in the middle a stile compassed with six white chives tipt with yellow pendents Corona Imperialis flore multiplici THe double Crown Imperial is of later discovery and more esteem than the former and chiefly differeth from it in the flowers which in this are constantly double each flower containing fifteen or sixteen leaves whereas those of the other common kind have but six the leaves of these double flowers are narrower with a drop or Pearl at the head of each of them of the same colour with those of the common kind and as many flowers on one stalk The plant at first coming up is redder and contineth longer so than the ordinary The green leaves of darker colour and the tuft on the top above the flowers bigger and consisting commonly of more leaves This is a gallant plant deserving esteem although the other is now little regarded Corona Imperialis flore luteo THe yellow Crown Imperial differeth only from the first common kinde in that the flowers are of a fair yellow colour and now more rare than that with double flowers Corona Imperialis angustifolia flore rubente THe narrow-leaved Crown Imperial with a reddish flower differeth from the other single kinds in that the leaves are much narrower the flowers smaller and of a light red or pale Rose-colour Lilium Persicum THe Persian Lily hath a root like unto that of the Crown Imperial but longer smaller and whiter from whence springeth up a round whitish green stalk beset from the bottom to the middle thereof with many long and narrow whitish green leaves from whence to the top stand many small flowers hanging down their heads each containing six leaves of a dead or over-worn purple colour with a pointill and chives in the middle tipt with yellow pendents The Crown Imperial flowereth in the end of March or beginning of April and the Persian Lily almost a moneth after it they are both increased by assets that come from the old roots which lose their fibres every year and therefore they may be taken up after the stalks are drie which will be in June and kept out of the ground untill August they may be set in borders or corners of large knots among ordinary Tulips and other flowers that lose their fibres that they may be taken up together the Crown Imperial especially that with double flowers is an excellent ornament in the middle of a large Flower-pot among Daffodills Tulips Anemonies Hyacinthes and other flowers of that season the Persian Lily is a flower of small beauty and onely received for variety the dull and heavy colour serving to set off and cause others to seem the more glorious Lilium Rubrum THe red Lily is a vulgar flower and many sorts thereof common in every Country-womans Garden the which are seldom accepted by any Florists There are three other kinds which are of some regard in respect they bear fairer flowers than any of the other common sorts we will insert those only and pass over the rest as regardless plebeans not worth mentioning Lilium Cruentum bulbiferum THe fiery red bulbed Lily riseth up from a great white scaly root as all the Lilies have with a strong tall stalk set with many long dark-green leaves and at the top adorned with many fair large flowers each composed of six broad thick leaves of a fiery red colour at the tops and towards the bottoms of an Orenge-colour with small black specks bearing among the flowers and along the stalk divers bulbes like little roots which being set in time will bring forth flowers like unto those of the original Lilium Rubrum flore pleno THe double red Lily is like unto the former in root stalk and leaves but without bulbes not so big nor of so dark a green colour it commonly beareth many Orenge-coloured single flowers on one stalk with many small brown specks on the insides thereof and some times but one fair double flower as if the leaves of many flowers were united in one which although it be but accidental yet it hapneth in this kind more frequently than in any other red Lily for if you have many roots of this sort you will always have some double flowers and many more in some years than in others Lilium Luteum THe yellow Lily is like the last double Lily but taller and bigger the flowers are many on one stalk and wholly of a fine Gold-yellow colour this is more esteemed than any of the former Lilium Album THe white Lily affordeth three diversities two besides the common kinde which are of more estimation than any of the red Lilies and for the beauty of the one and rarity of the other deserve to be regarded Lilium Album vulgare THe common white Lily is so well known that it needeth no description it hath a scaly root bigger and yellower than those of the red Lily the stalk is tall the leaves broad and long of a fresh green colour the flowers are six or eight on one stalk in an old plant but fewer in the younger which in fashion are like those of the former but turning back the points of the leaves which are of an excellent pure white colour with a pointell and white chives in the middle tipt with yellow pendents Lilium Album Byzantinum THe white Lily of Constantinople differeth from the common white Lily in that it is smaller in all the parts thereof and beareth more flowers usually twenty or thirty on one stalk which many times will
whence riseth up a thick short stalk bearing from the middle to the top thereof upon long foot-stalks very many blew star-like flowers with some blew threds tipt with yellow pendents standing about a middle head which is of a deeper blew colour than that of the six outer leaves Hyacinthus Stellatus major Peruanus flore albo THe great white starry Jacinth of Peru hath leaves of a lighter green colour and lesser than those of the former the flowers are not so many on the stalk and white with a little shew of blush towards the bottom in all other parts agreeing with the other Hyacinthus Stellatus major Peruanus flore carneo THe great blush starry Jacinth of Peru is in all things like the first the onely difference is in the colour of the flowers which in this are of a fine purplish blush-colour Hyacinthus stellatus Lilifolio radice caeruleo THe blew Lilly-leaved starry Jacinth hath a root composed of pale yellow scales like unto that of the white Lilly but smaller and longer from whence spring up many broad green leaves like unto those of a Lilly but shorter the stalk riseth about a foot high bearing many star-like flowers at the top thereof which are of a light blew colour with six short leaves in the middle standing round like a cup. Of this kind there are two other sorts differing onely in the colour of the flowers which in the one is white and in the other blush in all other respects agreeing with the former The Indian Hyacinth doth not flower in our Country untill August the Muscaries and the fair-haired Jacinths flower in April the starry Jacinths of Peru and those with Lilly leaves bring forth their flowers in May. The roots of all these Jacinths do hold their fibres therefore not to be kept long out of ground nor the fibres broken when removed they are to be transplanted in August except the Indian Jacinths which are yearly to be taken up in April the roots carefully parted without breaking the great fibres and thus re-planted put some rich earth in the bottom of a pot and place the root so that it may be covered on all sides with some natural fresh earth which done fill up the pot with the same rank earth to give the fibres nourishment make a hole in a hot bed something cooled and put the pot therein where let it remain without watering untill the roots spring then take it out and place it under a South wall in dry weather let it not want water and about the middle of September house it for this plant will not endure either wet or cold and if planted with rank earth next the root more apt to off-set than to bear flowers All the Muscaries except the Ash-colour must be planted in a warm place and defended in Winter the rest are hardy and require no attendance We have some other sorts of Hyacinths which yearly lose their fibres the chiefest of which are these that follow Hyacinthus Botroides caeraleus amoenus THe sky-coloured Grape-flower cometh up with three or four small guttered green leaves from a round white root with a stalk about six inches high bearing at the top thereof many flowers close set together like unto a small bunch of Grapes in form like those of the Muscari but lesser of a fine pale blew or sky colour and of a soft sweet scent Hyacinthus Botroides flore albo THe white Grape-flower is in all things like the former but that the leaves are green and the flowers white growing somewhat thicker on the stalk Hyacinthus Botroides flore rubente THe blush Grape-flower is like unto the last but bigger in all the parts thereof and the flowers of a pale bleak blush-colour Hyacinthus Botroides ramosus THe branched Grape-flower differeth from all the former in that the flowers grow along the stalk in branches being of a blew colour and bigger than any of the other as the roots leaves and stalks also are Hyacinthus Orientalis major dictus Zumbul Indi THe great Oriental Jacinth or Zumbul Indi is that great Jacinth that cometh up with a specled stalk and great broad long green leaves bearing on a strong stalk many fair long blewish purple flowers opening into six small leaves which turn back again as all the Oriental Jacinths do the root is big and round covered with a reddish purple coat of this kinde there is one that beareth fair double flowers and there are many sorts besides those whose descriptions follow the which differ chiefly in the colour of the flowers in some they are of a pale and some of a deeper blew colour with stripes down the backs of the leaves of the flowers some are wholly white and others of a fine blush-colour they are all sweet and their roots may be taken up and kept dry as well as those of Tulips which causeth them to be the more respected Hyacinthus Coelestis THe Celestial Hyacinth is bigger in all the parts thereof than the Zumbull Indi it commonly cometh up with two stalks each bearing many large flowers like those of the last but bigger and of a fine pale blew or sky colour of this kind there are two or three others that bear large flowers on big tall stalks some of a deeper and others of a lighter blew colour some white others blush and perhaps all these raised from the seeds of the Zumbull Indi as others may be from the seeds of them Hyacinthus Orientalis Brumalis sive praecox flore albo THe early white Oriental Jacinth from a short round big root sometimes before Winter rise up long green leaves like those of the last as the flowers are also but lesser and of a pure white colour this is commonly in flower in the end of January there is another of this kind that beareth purple flowers that come as early for which property they are chiefly respected Hyacinthus Orientalis flore pleno caeruleo THe fair double blew Oriental Jacinth is in all respects like the other blew Jacinths the chiefest difference is in the flowers those of this kind being fair and double of a good blew colour and consisting of two or three rows of leaves spread open there is another of this kind that beareth double blew flowers but not so fair and more apt to come deformed Hyacinthus Orientalis candidus flore pleno THe pure white double oriental Jacinth differeth from the single white in that the flowers of this are thick and double of a pure snow-white colour and opening much better than the best kind of the double blew for which it is much esteemed Hyacinthus stellaris flore cinereo THe Ash-coloured starry Jacinth hath a round white root and green leaves spreading on the ground like those of the common Harebell or English Hyacinth the stalk beareth very many small star-like flowers in a thick bush bigger below than above of a pale blew or Ash-colour and very sweet Hyacinthus stellatus vulgaris THe common blew starry Jacinth riseth out
of the ground with two or three brown leaves which be long and hollow of a whitish green on the upper side brown underneath and half round the stalk beareth at the top thereof five or six small star-like flowers consisting of six leaves of a fair blew colour Hyacinthus stellatus flore albo THe white starry Jacinth hath leaves like the former but of a fresher green colour the flowers are of the same fashion and white a little inclining to blush there is one of this kind with snow-white flowers and there is another that beareth blush flowers Hyacinthus Stellatus praecox THe early Starry Jacinth hath broader and fresher green leaves than the former with blew flowers the flowers of this are bigger and of a brighter blew colour there is one of this kinde likewise that beareth white flowers and another more rare than any of the former of this kinde the flowers whereof being as large as those of the first blew and of a fine blush colour The Grape-flowers are in flower in April the great Oriental Jacinth betimes in March the white and purple early Winter Jacinths in January or in the beginning of February the other Oriental Jacinths both single and double flower in the end of March and beginning of April the Ash-coloured starry Jacinth flowreth in April and the other Starry Jacinths in February and beginning of March They all lose their fibres and may be yearly removed in June or July but none of them except the Oriental would be kept long out of ground they are hardy and require small attendance most of them bear seeds which being sowed and preserved as that of Tulips produce new diversities There are some others which I have purposely omitted as the Woolly Jacinth which I have had many years but never could see one flower of it it is common in Spain but will not flower in England and of these described the best are the fair double blew and the double white Oriental Jacinths the Celestial the white and the blush Starry Jacinths the other are pretty flowers but of less beauty and esteem CHAP. XII Ornithogalum THe Star of Bethlehem and the varieties thereof are next to be handled some of them are fine flowers and others not worth the naming the which we will pass over and describe the best onely Ornithogalum Arabicum THe Star-flower of Arabia hath many long green leaves like unto those of the Oriental Jacinth from whence riseth up a round green stalk about two foot high bearing at the top thereof upon long foot stalks divers large flowers with small short green-pointed leaves at the bottom of each of them consisting of six pure white leaves with six white threds about it tipt with yellow pendents the root is great and white with a flat bottom the fibres being gone which it yearly loseth this is very impatient of frost and will not abide with us unless it be carefully preserved and defended in Winter Ornithogalum maximum album THe greatest white Star of Bethlehem hath many fair broad long fresh green leaves which spring early out of the ground and continue from the beginning of February to the end of May at which time they begin to fade and the stalk with the head of flowers beginneth to rise and before they are blown the leaves will be all gone the stalk when in flower is a yard high green smooth and round bearing at the top a great bush or spike of flowers upon long foot-stalks which grow shorter and shorter to the top of the stalk the flowers open by degrees first below and so upwards consisting of six white leaves spread open like a Star with a white umbone in the middle beset with many threds tipt with yellow the root is great and hath a flat bottom like the former but more hardy to endure and apter to increase whereby it is now grown common Ornithogalum Neapolitanum THe Star-flower of Naples riseth out of the ground early with four or five long hollow pointed whitish green leaves standing round together the stalk riseth two foot high bearing many flowers each containing six long narrow leaves of a shining white colour on the inside and of a whitish green on the outside turning back toward the stalks with six other small leaves in the middle standing round together like a cup with a white pointell and six threds tipt with yellow the root is white and increaseth too much and therefore requireth to be yearly taken up and freed from off-sets wherewith it is apt to be pestered Ornithogalum Luteum THe yellow Star of Bethlehem cometh up at the first with one long round greenish leaf which opening a little above the ground yieldeth another small leaf shorter than the first from whence riseth a stalk four or five inches high bearing at the top four or five small green leaves and among them the like number of small yellow star-like flowers with a small greenish line down the backs of the leaves and some small reddish threds in the middle the root is small round white and cleer and although it yearly loseth the fibres it will not endure to be kept but very little time out of the ground Ornithogalum Aethiopicum THe Star-flower of Ethiopia hath green leaves a foot long and an inch broad wooly when broken and a stalk a cubit high bearing from the middle to the top many large white star-like flowers wiâ—h some yellowness in the bottoms of them with a three-square head compassed with white threds tipt with yellow the root is thick round and white almost as tender as that of the first There are some other varieties as the great white spiked Star of Bethlehem which is like the former great white but lesser and not so good the flowers grow in a larger spike but much thinner set on the stalk there are some others that bear small white flowers not worth retaining The Arabian flowreth in May the second in June that of Naples and the yellow in April but the Aethiopian not untill August They lose their fibres and the roots may be taken up as soon as the stalks are dry and kept out of the ground untill the end of September except those of the yellow which will not endure out of the earth but a little time that of Arabia and that of Ethiopia are both tender and will not endure the extremity of our long frosty winters therefore they must be planted in boxes in rich hot sandy earth and housed in winter the yellow may be set among other tender roots that require to be covered and defended from frosts in winter the other are hardy and may be set in any place among other roots that lose their fibres CHAP. XIII Moly WIld garlick yieldeth some diversities worthy of entertainment the which are next to be described and first we will begin with that so much celebrated by the antient Poets Moly Homericum THe great Moly of Homer riseth up with two or three great thick long hollow leaves
of a whitish green colour like that of the Tulip with some small bulbs growing sometimes on the ends of the leaves but commonly betwixt them and on the stalk neer the ground which being set will produce a plant of the same kind the stalk riseth up a yard high naked round and smooth bearing a great umbel or tuft of small star-like purplish flowers upon equal foot-foot-stalks which continue long before they decay The root is very great white and of the smell of Garlick Moly Indicum sive Caucafon THe Indian Moly hath leaves like the former but shorter and broader the stalk riseth up not so high as the leaves without any flowers but onely bearing a cluster of reddish scaly bulbs each as big as an Acorn standing on foot-stalks which being set will bring a Plant of the same kind the root is great and white covered with a dark-coloured coat and increaseth but little under ground Moly montanum Pannonicum THe Moly of Hungary is of two sorts the first hath three or four broad long green leaves which are carried up with the stalk a foot high one above another having at the top some sad reddish bulbs and between them long foot-stalks with flowers of the fashion of those of Homers Moly and of a pale purple-colour the root is small but very apt to increase the second Moly of Hungary is like the first but that the green leaves are smaller and the stalk beareth a greater cluster of dark green bulbs the flowers are like those of the first in fashion colour and manner of growing and the root is covered with a dark purple coat Moly Serpentinum SErpents Moly is like the former but of much more beauty and regard for that the bulbs on the head of the stalk are redder the stalk lower and the small green leaves twine and crawl from whence it took the name the flowers that grow among the bulbs are more beautiful than those of either of the two former and the scent not so strong the root is small and round increasing into many small round roots no bigger than a small Pease Moly montanum flore luteo THe yellow Moly hath two long broad leaves when it will flower otherwise but one of the colour and near of the bigness of those of the Tulip between which cometh up a slender stalk bearing at the top a tuft of yellow star-like flowers greenish on the back and with yellow threads in the middle the root is whitish apt to increase and smelleth strong of Garlick as the flowers and leaves do also Moly montanum latifolium Hispanicum THe Spanish purple Moly hath two long broad leaves like the last described betwixt which the stalk riseth up two foot high bearing at the top many star-like flowers of a fine delayed purple colour with threads of the same colour tipt with yellow near the ground it yieldeth bulbs by which it may be easily increased this hath no scent of Garlick in any part Moly pyxidatum argenteum Hispanicum THe Spanish silver-cupped Moly hath two or three long rush-like leaves which pass away when the stalk is risen up to his height which will be three foot or more bearing a great head of flowers which after some time spread much open the flowers grow on long foot-stalks of a silver-colour with lines on both sides the leaves in fashion small and hollow like a cup the root is white and cleer and not very apt to increase and without any ill scent in any part thereof Moly Dioscorideum DIoscorides his Moly hath a small transparent root covered with a thick yellowish skin from whence springeth up three or four narrow Grassy leaves with a stalk a foot and half high bearing at the top a tuft of milk-white flowers like unto those of Ramsons with little or no scent of Garlick There is another of this sort that is lesser and the leaves of the flowers rounder pointed these and the yellow are the most common of all the kinds of Moly Moly Muscatum Monspeliense THe sweet Moly of Montpelier hath four or five small leaves no bigger than bents with a stalk about a foot high bearing many small star-like white flowers which if the end of Somer be hot and dry smell like Musk or Civet the root is small very tender and must be carefully defended from Frosts in Winter Homers Moly flowereth in May and continueth untill July the Indian Moly beareth the head of bulbs in June and July and all the rest flower about the same time except the last whose time is late in September These lose their fibres and may be taken up after the stalks are dry and the biggest roots preserved to set again casting away the small off-sets wherewith many of them are very apt to be pestred especially if they stand long unremoved they are all hardy and will thrive in any soil except those whose tenderness is expressed in the description the flowers of most of them are neither fair nor sweet and onely preserved by those that affect varieties their best use is to adorn flower-pots where they will continue if the water be renewed a long time and set off other flowers of the same season being placed among them There are some others of this family not worth mentioning for those described are enough if not too many unless they were of a more worthy generation CHAP. XIV Asphodelus THe Asphodill for that it beareth star-like flowers is next to be described there are some few diversities of them of which we will take the best onely and leave the rest as neither worth collecting nor retaining Asphodelus major albus ramosus THe great white branched Asphodill hath many crawling hollow three-square leaves sharp-pointed lying on the ground about the root the stalk from the middest of them riseth round smooth and naked divided at the top into many branches more or less according to the age of the Plant bearing many star-like flowers consisting of six leaves whitish on the inside with some yellow threads in the middle and stripped with a pale purple line down the back of every leaf the root is composed of many thick cloggs biggest in the middle and smaller at both ends fastened together at the head of a grayish dark colour on the outside and yellow within Asphodelus albus non ramosus THe white unbranched Asphodill is like the former but that the stalk is without branches and the flowers whiter without any line or stripe on the back sides of the leaves the cloggs of the roots are smaller and fewer than those of the other Asphodelus major flore carneo THe blush-coloured Asphodill differeth from the last in that the leaves are a little spotted and the flowers of a blush-colour which causeth it to be more esteemed Asphodelus major flore albo striato THe great white striped Asphodill hath many long and broad green leaves which for the most part lye on the ground the stalk riseth up smooth like the white unbranched Asphodill with many
such like flowers of a whitish silver colour striped down the back of every leaf with a purple line they grow on the stalk in a long spike first flowering below and so upwards by degrees the root is a great bulbe whereunto are fastened divers cloggs like those of the former Asphodelus minimus albus THe least white Asphodill hath four or five narrow long green leaves almost three-square with a small stalk about a foot high without branches having at the top some white flowers like those of the former and striped on both sides every leaf with a purple line the roots are many cloggs smaller than any of the other Asphodelus minor albus sive fistulosus THe little hollow white Asphodill hath many long hollow green leaves growing thick together from among which come up many round stalks bearing from the middle to the top divers white star-like flowers with purple lines on the back of them like those of the white branched Asphodill the roots are not in cloggs like the former but small white strings fastened together at the head this is a tender Plant and apt to perish if it be not carefully preserved from Frost and wet in Winter Asphodelus luteus minor sive Hastula Regia THe small yellow Asphodill or Kings spear hath many long narrow-edged green leaves trailing on the ground the stalk riseth a yard high set with small long leaves to the middle where the flowers begin being many yellow and star-like the roots are many long yellow strings which run in the ground and increase very much this is the most common and least esteemed of all the Asphodills They do all flower in May and June except the two last the first of them flowereth in August and September and the other in July They may be taken up and the roots parted when the stalks are dry and presently set again for they would not be kept long out of ground and except the last white whose tenderness is expressed in the description they are all hardy and will thrive in any place most of them bring seeds which is not worth the sowing for that it will be many years before they bear flowers and no variety is to be expected from them and for gaining new Plants the old increase fast enough There is another kind of Plant called the Lilly Asphodill whereof that Sedg which beareth soon-fading dark yellowish Lilly-like flowers commonly called the Day-Lilly or the flower for a day common in every Country-Garden is a kind There are three other sorts worthy to be inserted two of them being very rare and of much esteem Lilia Asphodelus luteus THe yellow Lilly Asphodill riseth up with many long thin Sedgy leaves out of the middle of them cometh up a naked stalk bearing at the top thereof four or five small Lilly-like yellow flowers blowing one after another like the day Lilly but continuing many days before they fade the leaves dye to the ground before Winter and the roots are many long yellow strings very much increasing Lilia Asphodelus flore albo THe Lilly Asphodill with a white flower is in all the parts thereof like the former the leaves are of a fresher green colour and the flowers snow-white like unto the Savoy Spiderwort but that the stalk is higher and the flowers bigger Lilia Asphodelus flore carneo THe Lilly Asphodill with a blush or flesh-coloured-flower is very like the white the greatest difference is in the flowers which in this are of a fine bright blush or flesh-colour this and the white are very rare in England and France but frequently found in many Gardens in Germany Phalangium THe Spider-wort is next in order to be treated of there are some diversities of them but we will set out the best onely and first begin with that so like the white Lilly Asphodill that the one may easily be mistaken for the other Phalangium Alobrogicum THe Savoy Spider-wort riseth up with four or five green leaves like unto those of the Lilly Asphodill but shorter and of a whiter green colour out of the middle of them riseth up a stiff round stalk about a foot high bearing at the top one above another seven or eight flowers like in form to those of the Lilly Asphodill but lesser and of a pure white colour with some threds in the middle tipt with yellow and a small forked pointel the roots are long white thick strings joyned together at the head increasing reasonable well Phalangium majus Italicum album THe great Italian white Spider-wort hath many long narrow leaves spread on the ground with a reasonable tall stalk bearing at the top many star-like white flowers like but bigger than those of the common kind next described the roots are many white strings running under ground and increasing as well as the former Phalangium non ramosum vulgare THe common unbranched Spider-wort hath small leaves like grass but of a whitish green colour from among which riseth one two or more stalks almost two foot high bearing at the top many small white star-like flowers the roots are many long white strings like those of the last described but smaller Phalangium Virginianum THe Virginian Spider-wort hath a stringy root and broad grass-like leaves the stalk riseth up in joynts with some short leaves at the top thereof out of a tuft of those green leaves come forth the flowers which are many hanging down their heads at the first and turning up as they come to blow each flower containing three leaves layed flat of a blew colour with red threds in the middle tipt with yellow pendents they open commonly one after another and may be called a flower for a day for that they shut at night and never open again It is a great increaser and thereby grown common in almost every garden this was first brought unto us out of Virginia since we have received thence several other varieties differing chiefly in the colour of the flowers for besides the blew described we have another that beareth bigger and fairer blew flowers two that have red flowers a bigger and lesser and one with snow-white flowers in some years the flowers of the greater red will come double The Lilly Asphodills flower in the end of May or beginning of June and the Spider-wort about the same time the common unbranched kind is the first and the branched the last the two best Spider-worts that of Savoy and the Italian flower together about the end of May the Virginians a moneth later These plants are all hardy and will live and thrive in almost any soyl but best in that which is moist the time to take them up and transplant them is in August the roots may be parted as they grow in several heads and set again where they may stand two or three years unremoved they bear seeds from whence plants of the best kind may be raised that is of the white and blush Lilly Asphodills Savoy and Italian Spider-worts it will be four or five
bulbosa minor flore albo THe lesser white bulbous Flower-de-luce springeth out of the ground before Winter with small narrow leaves which at the Spring grow bigger and longer with a hollow chanel on the insides the stalk is longer and smaller than that of the former kind bearing at the top out of a thin skinny husk one or two flowers of a snow-white colour smaller shorter and rounder than those of the greater kind with nine leaves standing in the same fashion the three falling leaves having a yellow spot in each of them the arched leaves are divided and turn up the ends and the other three top-leaves are longer than those of the greater kind and stand upright the seeds are like those of the former but lesser and the roots are yellower shorter and not so hairy very apt to off-set whereby they are soon increased This description may serve for the rest of this kind that follow therefore we will onely add the several names by which some of the best are received and the difference of the colours that are in the flowers of others that want names There is another white that is bigger in all the parts thereof than the former the stalk taller and the flowers larger but not of so pure a white colour as the other and having that yellow spot in the three falling leaves as in all others There is another like the first in size and fashion whose falling leaves have a little shew of yellowness in them and so have the middle ridges of the arched leaves but the upright or top-leaves are white We have another with a small flower as white as the second the lower leaves are so small that the yellow spot covereth almost all the ends thereof standing outright the arched leaves are also small and long and the top-leaves bend in the middle and meet at the ends There is another kind called the Spanish yellow that riseth not so high as usually the rest do the flower is like the first but of an excellent deep Gold-yellow colour throughout the whole flower And another that riseth as high as the second with pale yellow flowers with a deep yellow spot of this there are diversities some bigger and some lesser some with paler and some with deeper yellow flowers and one with the falling leaves white except the yellow spot which is common to all the bulbous Flower-de-luces We have one called the party-coloured Spanish whose falling leaves are white the arched leaves silver colour and the top-leaves of a blewish purple of this sort there is another that hath the falling leaves cirled with blew the arched leaves pale blew and the top-leaves purple There is another called the early Portugall that is smaller in all the parts thereof than the former the flowers stand round and neat in fashion like the Spanish yellow but wholly of a fair blewish purple colour except the yellow spot which is in the three falling leaves We have another purple with a higher stalk and larger flower than the last but near of the same colour There is another like the last whose flowers are of a reddish purple-colour and flowereth very late And another that hath yellow falling leaves sky-coloured arches and top-leaves of a murrey purple And there is another whose falling leaves are yellow the arches and top-leaves of a fair hair-colour and another of a sadder and duller brown colour And we have another that is taller and larger than any of the rest with falling leaves of a dusky yellow colour with veins and borders about the edges of a dun colour the arches of a dull purplish yellow and the top-leaves of a sullen blewish purple There are many other varieties but most of them inferior to those mentioned we will conclude with three other sorts that are more rare than any of the former Iris angustifolia Hispanica bulbosa non scripta THe Spanish narrow-leaved Flower-de-luce not written of is something like the Spanish-yellow but smaller and shorter the flower is of a pleasant bright yellow colour with a deeper spot in the three falling leaves and instead of the top or upright leaves it hath three very small short sharp-pointed leaves if they may be called leaves in respect of their smallness Iris angustifolia bulbosa elegantissima percico flore THe most elegant narrow-leaved bulbous Iris with a Peach-coloured flower riseth up with a stalk and leaves like those of the middle size the flower hath large and long falling leaves with a yellow spot in the middest of the ends of them the arched leaves are also large and the divided ends long and turned up the top-leaves are likewise large and long and the whole flower except the yellow spot of a fine reddish Peach-colour deeper than that of the greater kind before mentioned this is the rarest of all other and as hard to be found Iris bulbosa angustifolia serpentaria caule THe narrow-leaved bulbous Iris with a spotted stalk is in the manner of growing something like the Portugall but a little taller and bigger the flower is of that fashion and wholly of a reddish murrey purple colour except the spot which is in the falling leaves thereof which in this is of a deep yellow colour round at the head and with a small list running under the arched leaves this may be known before Winter after the green leaves are come up for that the bottoms of them for an inch above the ground are of a reddish colour full of dark purple spots this is that which the Walloons have lately brought over out of Flanders by the name of Iris d' Abby Some of them flower sooner and others later commonly after most of the greater kinds are past in June and stay until July the purple Portugall and the Spanish yellow are first the hair-colours and murrey-purples last the flowers will be soon spoiled by wet unless it be shaken off shortly after it hath fallen upon them The roots lose their fibres as those of the greater kind and are to be handled after the same manner the seeds of the best kinds also produce varieties and the roots of the common or ordinary sorts increase too fast the two last are the rarest and most tender they must be planted in good fresh earth that is not hot with dung and where they may have the comfort of the morning Sun onely CHAP. XIX Jris Tuberosa THe Tuberous or flag-leaved Flower-de-luce is of divers sorts and those commonly divided into two kinds the Tall and the Dwarf the which may be subdivided into two other sorts broad leaves and narrow leaves the Tall are called Iris major or Latifolia the Dwarf Iris minor or Chamaeiris of each of these there are many diversities out of which we will select those that bear the fairest flowers and pass by the rest as not worth the mentioning the best of all the kinds is called Iris Chalcedonica major THe great Chalcedonian Iris or Turky Flower-de-luce riseth up before Winter with divers broad
markets that are so poorly pleased and return to the subject in hand The common double Primrose flowereth in April and the Cowslips in May the red kinds in March and many of them will begin in September and continue bearing flowers all the Winter unless checked by hard weather The English kinds are hardy and prosper in any place that is not too hot in the sun the red kinds are planted sowed and ordered in the same manner as we do the Bears-ears yet if sowed in a bed of good earth towards the end of September they will come up at the Spring and soon come to bear flowers we shall only add some few varieties of another kind of small Cowslips and then proceed to other things Paralysis minor flore rubro REd Birds eyes continue all the Winter with the leaves closed together which at the Spring do open and spread upon the ground with small long and narrow leaves snipt about the edges of a pale green on the upper side and of a mealy whitish colour on the other from among the leaves rise up one or two small hairy stalks half a foot high bearing at the top many small flowers like in fashion unto a small Bears-ear of a fine reddish Peach-colour with yellow eyes in the bottoms of the flowers it hath a small stringy root and sometimes beareth small seeds There is another of this kind that is a little bigger in all the parts thereof and beareth white flowers And a third that is like the last but that the white flowers are poudered over with the same red colour that is in the first These pretty plants bring forth their flowers in April and are preserved in some Florists Gardens they prosper best in a shady barren place for they grow naturally in moist barren ground in the Northern parts I received the several varieties before mentioned from that worthy honest Gentleman my very good friend Mr. Roger Brodshaw of the Hay in Lancashire before remembered CHAP. XXXIII Lychnis CHampions are of several sorts and many Plants are called Lychnis with some other word of distinction added thereunto we will make choice of some few and such only as are fittest to adorn a Flower-Garden and leave the rest as vulgars not worth the mentioning Lychnis Coronaria rubra multiplex THe double red Rose Champion is in all the parts thereof like unto the single so well known that it were superfluous further to describe it only the flowers of this are thick and double of the same delicate velvet red colour which is in the common single kind Lychnis Coronaria alba multiplex THe double white Rose Champion is in all things like the former but only that the flowers of this are white but as thick and double and far more rare than the red Lychnis Chalcidonica flore simplici SIngle Non-such Flower of Constantinople or as it is most commonly called Flower of Bristol is a Plant as well known as the former common Champion and therefore needeth no further description neither indeed had I admitted a thing so common but that there are some fine diversities thereof worthy of room in the best Gardens and the varieties standing together setting off each other make a fine show I therefore begin with the common kind that bears a great head of many single Scarlet flowers which may serve to point out all the rest We have another of this kind no way differing from the former but in the colour of the flowers which in this are at the first of a reddish blush-colour after growing paler by degrees so that in one head of flowers there will be several shadows of blushes one paler than another There is a third that beareth single flowers like in all parts to the former only the flowers of this are of a snow-white colour Lychnis Chalcidonica flore pleno miniato THe rich Scarlet Non-such or Flower of Bristol differeth from the first in that the stalks are bigger and stronger bearing many flowers as the rest do at the tops thereof which in this are thick and double and of the same rich Scarlet colour that is in the first or a little deeper The Champions do begin to flower towards the end of June and will continue bearing flowers untill September the several sorts of Non-such bring forth their flowers in July The Champions must be planted of slips taken from the old root in the end of August or beginning of September that they may take root before Winter those set in the Spring run up to flower and die at Winter as the old Plants are apt to do therefore set slips every year lest you lose the kind The Non-such are hardy Plants and will continue long they are encreased by taking young Plants from the old roots which will come up with many heads and every head taken off with some little of the root will grow and soon come to bear flowers the best time for the doing thereof is in the end of March when the new shoots are risen to some height out of the ground perhaps if trial were made of sowing the seeds of the single kinds some new varieties might be gained the seeds are small and must be sowed and ordered as we do Auricula but these Plants are not dainty of their nourishment for they will grow and bear well almost in any soil but worst in that which is over hot and too rank CHAP. XXXIV Keiri five Lucoium luteum WAll-flowers or Winter Gilliflowers have divers sorts worthy of entertainment and although there are some kinds common in every Countrey Garden yet these that follow will deserve a place in this collection and room in a Florists Garden Keiri flore simplex majus THe great single Wall-flower is in all the parts thereof like the common kind well known unto all but that it is much larger the leaves of a darker shining green colour the flowers many growing on a long spike of a deep gold yellow colour and some of them as broad as half a crown Keiri majus flore pleno THe great double Wall-flower is in all things like the last excepting the flowers which of this are of the same gold yellow colour and although not so broad as those of the single kind yet very large thick and double Keiri simplex flore albo THe single white Wall-flower hath leaves as green or greener than the former single yellow and as large the flowers are single consisting of fower leaves of a fair white colour Keiri flore pleno albo THe double white Wall-flower is in all the parts thereof like unto the single only differing in the flowers those of this being of the same white colour not very large but thick and double we have a sort of double white stock-Gilliflowers that is raised from seeds which in respect of the green leaves is by many called the white Wall-flower but any that are acquainted with the different scents of the Wall and Stock-Gilliflower may thereby soon distinguish the one
hairy tufts of a reddish purple colour which are divided into several parts wherein when full ripe great store of small white seeds is contained this is an old flower and common called by some Country women Love lies a bleeding we have now of this kind some other varieties that differ chiefly in the tufts or flowers some bigger others lesser some purple mixed with green others wholy of a whitish green colour they are hardy sowed in April will flower in the end of July and perish with the first frosts Amaranthuus purpureus minor THe lesser purple Flower Gentle cometh up with yellowish green leaves a little reddish something broad at the stalk and sharp pointed the stalk set with these leaves riseth about two foot high branched at the top and bearing flowers which are long soft and gentle tufts of hairs many standing close together in form of a Pyramis of an excellent rich deep shining murrey purple colour which it will retain after it is gathered many moneths the seeds of this as of all the rest are small black and shining and the roots perish as those of the former Amaranthus diversorum colorum FLower Gentles of divers colours do little differ from the last either in leaves stalks or seeds only as their flowers are of deeper or lighter colours so are the leaves paler green and lesser red than other the chiefest difference is in the flowers which are not only of many several colours but notably differing in form of growing some with one spike others with many some round and others more flat and divided into divers parts the colours most common to these flowers are purple scarlet and gold-colour in some deeper in others lighter or paler in very great variety and in all exceeding bright and shining fine flowers to be set in pots to supply the place of Gilliflowers these coming to flower as soon as they are past and with the great African Marigold make a gallant shew in a Garden Amaranthus tricolor FLower Gentle of three colours differeth from the former in that the leaves are in some hot years parted into three colours namely green red and yellow the flowers small and of no esteem the whole beauty of the plant being in the marking of the leaves the seeds like those of the former and the root as soon perishing They flower usually in August but some years not untill late in September therefore that they may flower betimes and perfect their seeds sow the seeds in a hot bed about the middle of March after the plants are come up and have gotten some strength make a new hot bed and after the violent heat is past take them up with earth about them and set them therein about the beginning of May transplant them where they may stand to bear flowers the place must be open to the Sun and the foil light and rank and often watered Thus by removing them from one hot bed to another it will cause them to thrive and not only afford you many gallant flowers but store of good seeds which will continue good three or four years so to prevent wanting you may reserve a quantity from year to year for indeed no good Garden would be unfurnished with these beautiful flowers the chiefest and most deserving esteem of all the annuals or seed-flowers Helichrysum sive Amaranthus luteus THe golden Flower Gentle or Goldy locks is a stranger in our Countrey it will neither be raised from seeds or live if the Plants should be procured out of the hotter Countreys yet I have seen two sorts thereof in flower in London many years since they came up with small stalks thinly set with narrow long whitish green leaves bearing at the ends of the stalks many small double gold-yellow flowers in the one round and in the other bigger and flat at the top both keeping their colour and not shedding their leaves many moneths after they are gathered as I have seen in divers dry Plants these and the Cats-foot or Cotton weeds grow wild in some parts of Italy Candy and other hot Countreys but will not live with us CHAP. x. Delphinium LArks-heels are ofseveral sorts as well double as single yet there is but one kind worth the preserving which is that called Delphinium elatius flora pleno DOuble upright Larks-heels have small jagged leaves tall upright stalks branched at the top and bearing many fine double flowers in form like to the Rose-Colombine in several Plants of sundry entire colours as purple blew Ash-colour Rose-colour pale blush or white these are the most usual colours yet sometimes some roots will bring flowers that are striped and variegated with blew end white and often with some leaves blew and others purple after the flowers are past the seeds are contained in small horned pods which are black and round the which being sowed will bring some Plants with single but most with double flowers the roots perish in Winter They flower according to the time of sowing them sooner or later in July or August but I have often had Plants that have come up from seeds fallen out of the pods before Winter which have continued and born fair double flowers in June following and furnished me with much good seed The usual time to sow these seeds is the beginning of April but to get good seeds which is a chief consideration in these Plants I usually sow some as soon as they are ripe in some place where they may be defended from long frosts in Winter and one of these Winter plants is worth ten of those raised in the Spring and will yield more good seed yet in some kindly Somers those of the Spring will seed reasonable well Next unto these two other Plants are ranked in respect their flowers resemble the single Larks-heels the first is called Nasturtium Indicum INdian Cresses or yellow Larks-heels spread into many long trayling branches four or five foot long which unless supported lie on the ground and take up much room the leaves are smooth and round the flowers of a fair yellow colour in fashion something like a single Larks-heel but the leaves stand plainer and some of them are streaked with red the flower is so well known that I need not to be curious in describing it for few Gardens of any note are without it the seeds are rough and uneaven falling of themselves and gathered off the ground and preserved for the root dies in Winter The flowers come forth in July and the Plant continues flowring until it be checked by frosts the seeds are sowed in April and if they be ripe and good are apt enough to come up and the trayling branches as they grow may be led upon a pack-thred fastened unto sticks into what form you please or they may be bound to rods stuck in the earth that they may not ly on the ground The other Plant wherewith we will conclude this Chapter is called Balsamina foemina THe female Balsam-Apple hath a thick reddish stalk
Repetition in this place to inform such as are to learn how these several Operations are to be performed And first for the laying of Gilliflowers make choice of such Slips as are strongest and fittest to lay prune the sides and ends of the top-leaves and under the middlemost joynt cut the stalk half through and slit the same upwards to the next joynt make a hole in the Earth something wide and gently bend it down thereinto with a small hooked stick to keep it from rising then turn up the head of the Slip that the slit may open in which posture hold it with one hand and earth it up with the other pressing it down to keep the Slip upright lastly water it Now there are some good Slips that grow so far from the ground that they cannot be laid therein in this case we make use of small Pots with a slit in the one side through which we draw the prepared Slip into the Pot holding it down and covering the slit with a thin plate of Lead provided for the purpose bending the upper end over the edge of the Pot to stay it turning up the Slip and filling the Pot with fine rich Earth pressed down to keep it from rising These Slips Pots and all other Slips laid must be often watered which will cause them to get roots the sooner The best time for laying of Gilliflowers is from the middle of June to the same time in July the sooner the better provided the Slips be well grown hard enough to endure cutting and bending down In the beginning of September you may take them off with Earth about them and set them in Beds or Pots filled with good Earth before prepared place these Pots in the shade and sometimes gently water them but take heed of too much wet lest it rot the small fibres and so destroy the young Plants which for prevention of great Rains ought to be sheltered with a shelf of thin Boards provided for the purpose which place not too near them that they may not want air Now for the laying of Roses Gasmines Jreens and other woody Plants after directed to be raised by Layers make choice of such a Launce or Branch as may easily be bended to the ground those Shoots of the same year are best and root soonest cut it half through on the under-side at a knot or joynt if it have any then slit the same upward two or three inches long and prick the Bark thorough with a blunt-pointed Awl in divers places about the slit take off the tops of all laid Plants except Greens then make a wide hole to hook it down and proceed as in Gilliflowers In such Plants as are unapt to root bind the upper end of the slit very hard with a Packthred or Wier which will stop the sap and hasten the effect desired and fail not to put some rank Earth about the place layed The best time to lay Greens or indeed any other Plants is about the middle of August that they may prepare for rooting at the Spring these Layers having passed a year in the ground will be ready to be taken off and if you find them well rooted it will be seasonable to remove them otherwise they may stay a year longer All Layers must be frequently watered which will cause them to root the better Cuttings are to be taken as soon as the Sap begins to rise and cut sloping from a knot or joynt at the lower end like a Deers foot and left about a foot long make a deep Trench and lay them therein a little sloping fill the Trench with good Earth pressed down something hard within two fingers of the smaller ends All Plants that will grow of Cutting will root sooner being layed but Cuttings of such Plants as we have not our selves may be had of others and in that case chiefly to be used These Cuttings must be often watered as the former As for Budding or Inoculating of Roses it is performed after the same manner as that of Fruits where among the several ways of Grafting you will find ample direction for the doing thereof When you are to make a Hot Bed cast all your Horse-dung and wet Litter on a heap in a corner of the Stable that is of a fortnights gathering more or less according to your store then in the place where you intend to make it knock in four Stakes which must be left a yard at least above ground place them at the corners so that the Bed may be four foot broad and of what length you please then lay the Horse-dung with the wet Litter betwixt the Stakes suitably not more short dung in one place than another untill you have rais'd it two foot high which tread down hard all over and let not one place be softer than another then in the same manner raise it two foot higher which tread down as the former and so proceed untill you have raised the Bed a full yard high after it is hard trodden which done knock in more Stakes about it beat up the sides close and wrap it about with large ropes of Hay or long Litter two wreaths above the dung then take some of the Earth of an old hot Bed or of the best in your Kitchin-garden and sift it which lay on your Bed four inches thick arch it over with small Poles and cover it with Mats Hair-cloth or Canvas which will cause it to heat in four or five days then give it air and when the violent heat is over sow your Seeds and cover the Bed again the next day if you find the Bed over hot give it more air if too cold cast some Straw on the covering untill the heat return which by thrusting your finger into the Earth you may find whether too hot or cold and by this means by airing and covering you may keep the Bed in a constant temper which should be warm rather than hot When the Seeds come up give them air to dry the moisture raised by the heat of the Bed and for your choicest Seeds cover them from the Sun with Glasses raised to give them air and some part of the day take them off to acquaint the young Seedlings with the Sun by degrees which grown strong take up and plant in rich Earth in your Garden but keep them from the mid-day Sun untill they are well setled in their new lodging We shall now give you some Draughts for Gardens and then proceed to acquaint you with our Plants and Flowers CHAP. I. Laurus THE Bay-tree among the Greens for many special properties may challenge Priority and therefore we will begin with some noble kinds thereof omitting that common Bay wherewith all are so well acquainted and fix that ever fresh and flourishing Fruit-bearer in the front of our Florilege called Laurocerasus THe Bay-cherry is a stately ever green Tree growing in some places ten or twelve foot high but most commonly in a thick Bush full of boughs and
together in a long spike lessening by degrees like a pyramis the root is woody and lasting flowers in August endures the Winter and is increased by Layers Hypericum frutex WOody St. Johns wort hath two three or more woody stalks which rise about a yard high beset at certain distances with tufts of small green leaves and among them many small flowers white and a little purple in the middle this pretty Plant flowereth in the end of April endureth the Winter and is increased as the former by Layers Mezerion DWarf Bay groweth in a thick bush full of branches in some old Plants rising three or four foot high covered with a tough bark and set with small whitish round-pointed green leaves which fall away in Autumn the flowers are small consisting of four leaves growing thick and close together on the sides of the new Shoots wherewith they are on all sides covered which in one the most common are of a pale blush colour in another white and in a third of a deep Peach-colour almost red these flowers are sweet and may be smelled at distance which being past in their places come forth many small berries which when they are ripe are of a red colour The double-flowered Cherry is in blossom in April and the double-flowered Peach in March the Cherry may be grafted in any other Cherry-stock but the best way is to make choice of a stock that is big enough to hold two grafts which may be grafted near the ground the one graft of this and the other of the Flanders Cluster-cherry which growing up together planted against a wall the branches intermixed and nailed one within the other so that after the double flowers of the one are past the double fruits of the other may succeed will be a wonder to those that do not understand by what means it is brought to pass conceiving both to proceed from one kind The double Peach will thrive best and bring forth fairer flowers being spread upon a wall having been inoculated on an Apricock-stock The Balaustium bringeth forth its beautiful flowers towards the end of August it is a tender Plant and must be either set in Boxes that it may be housed in Winter or else under a South wall where it may have the benefit of the Sun in Somer and the roots about it covered with Pease-straw or Litter to keep them warm from freezing in the Winter and the branches also must be thatched with Broom or some other provision to defend them from nipping frosty air which otherwise will cause them to die even to the ground and many times never to spring again but those that are desirous to preserve this and other tender Plants and have a convenient house to remove them into in Winter then this may be so handled and not trusted abroad in the open air for that the trouble of housing and preserving of a few will be almost as great as that of many and new Plants may be raised either from Suckers which it is apt to yield or by laying down the branches The double white Syringa or Arabian Jasmine brings forth its fair odorous flowers from the beginning of May untill the end of September it is a great stranger in England and very apt to leave us upon the least dislike therefore those that desire to entertain so curious and nice a guest must aford it warm lodging in the Winter and diligent attendance in the Spring when first it comes abroad and then perhaps it may be complemented to an acceptance of our courser countrey fare The blue Syringa with a cut leaves or Persian Jasmine flowereth in April and is as courteous as the other is curious it will live abroad in the open air planted under a wall and yield us increase by laying down the branches or by cuttings being apt to root and thrive if a little defended from Frosts in Winter The Oleaster flowereth in May and is planted and increased in the same manner as the last mentioned and endureth the Winter as well I intend that described by Ferrarius and not that kind common with us which wanteth the properties said to belong to this noble Plant. The Shrub-Mallows shew their flowers commonly in August sometimes later they are tender and must be planted under a wall and defended in Winter the usual way to raise them is by laying down the branches in the Earth and sometimes from the seeds gained out of hotter Countreys for ours seldom bring any to perfection they may be grafted the Aproach-way one upon another so that from one root you may have all the forementioned varieties Tree Night-shade is a Plant well known and chiefly respected for the beauty of the red berries which will abide on the branches in Winter at which time standing among Myrtles and other Greens it maketh a fine shew it is raised by sowing the seeds in March which are apt to come up and grow especially if they be sowed in a Pot of good Earth and housed in the Winter The Shrub Night-shade is in flower toward the end of May and increased by Layers The blossoms of the Mizerions begin to appear in the end of January and usually continue flowering untill the beginning of April they are hardy and will grow any where the way to raise them is by sowing the berries as soon as they are ripe which will be about the middle of July they will lye long in the ground before they come up therefore are usually sowed in some large Box filled with good Earth and set in some place out of the way where it will need no other attendance than onely weeding the second Spring after the sowing and not before they will come up they which have nigh stood a year or two may be removed according to the pleasure of the owner CHAP. IV. Rosa THE Rose-tree is of divers excellent kinds not known to former Ages wherewith our English Gardens are now graced and here in this place to be handled together with our old store which for many respects are not to be neglected and first we will begin with the red Rose of England the most common and best known of all others and in order proceed to the rest Rosa rubra Anglica THe English red Rose wherewith all persons are so well acquainted that it needeth no description we have observed some variety therein the flowers of some to be of a far deeper Red than those of others and others to be much doubler and thicker of leaves than the common kind whereof I have one that is of a deep red colour and as thick and double as any Rose whatsoever and of late we have found another of this kind with striped beautiful flowers thence called Rosa mundi THe Rose of the world in all the parts differeth not from this ordinary red Rose but onely in the colour of the flowers which in this are for the most part of a pale blush colour diversly spotted marked and striped throughout every
among ordinary Tulips and other roots that lose their fibres in the beds of a Knot or Fret where the nakedness of the stalks especially of those of the first kind may be covered with the leaves of others Doubtless many more diversities of these Fritillaries may be raised from the seeds of the best kinds being sowed preserved and ordered in the same manner as those of Tulips few particulars needing exception either in this or in any other bulbous-rooted Plant that loseth the fibres wherefore those that desire to practise the sowing of such seeds I refer to the general directions in the end of the Chapter of Tulips where they will meet with ample satisfaction therein CHAP. IX Tulipa THe Tulip is a flower well known especially the more common kinds thereof but there are many noble varieties whose faces as few are acquainted with as with their excellent qualities these are those lovely Lilies whose bravery excelled Solomon in his greatest lustre Flora's choicest Jewels and the most glorious ornaments of the best Gardens transferable favours from one Florist to another aptly conveyable the season considered many miles distant And as these stately Flowers are esteemed so are they valued one root being usually sold with us at all prices from a penny I may say with modesty to five pounds but in other Countries where Flowers are more affected at far higher rates Such is their rarity and excellence and so numerous are the varieties that it is not possible any one person in the world should be able to express or comprehend the half of them every Spring discovering many new diversities never before observed either arising from the Seeds of some choice kinds the altering of off-sets or by the busie and secret working of Nature upon several self-colours in different soils and situations together with the help of Art Of all which plentifully in the end of this Chapter The division of Tulips according to Gerard Parkinson Clusius and Ferrarius is into three sorts Praecoces Medias and Seretinas early middle and late flowering Tulips whereas indeed there are but two primary distinct kinds Praecoces and Serotinas these having other notable differences besides their time of flowering which from the first to the last is as distant in the Praecoces as that of those called Medias to the Serotinas so according to their rule we might as well divide the early as the later and so make four sorts out of two yet not to be thought singular I shall not alter the old method but set down a plentiful variety of each under such names as they are generally received and known by written after the English fashion that persons unexpert in the Orthography of Forein Languages may be able to write and pronounce them beginning with the best known and more ordinary sorts and so proceed to better The greatest difference of Tulips is in the flowers as the diversity of colour manner of marking bottoms chives or Tamis bigness fashion and manner of growing the which after one general description of the whole Plant shall be particularly expressed whereby each flower by name and face may be known and distinguished Tulipa praecox media serotina THe early middle and later flowering Tulip springeth out of the ground with leaves folded one within another which opening by degrees become broad thick long and hollow turning up the edges and holding water falling thereon they are commonly three in number but sometimes in old-rooted Plants four or five of a whitish green colour with whiter edges especially in those of the Praecoces whereby they may be known from the other sorts whose leaves are of a fresher green the stalk with the flower cometh up in the middle of the leaves which do rise therewith and compass it at certain unequal distances many of the Praecoces bending to the ground but before they flower drawn by the Sun stand upright as all the rest do the stalks of the Praecoces are commonly not above a foot high and many of them much lower but those of the Medias and Serotinas far higher they all bear usually but one flower on a stalk which standeth upright in fashion like unto a Lily composed of six leaves green at the first and closed which warmed by the Sun open and change into divers several glorious colours variously mixed edged striped feathered garded agotted marbled flaked or specled even to admiration the leaves of some of them being round pointed of others sharp and in some three of one fashion and three of the other The colour of the bottoms and Tamis especially in the Mediums and Serotinas doth also notably differ from each other for in some they will be white yellow or straw-colour and in others blew black or purple deeper or lighter some of these flowers are sweeter than others and many of them have little or no scent at all in the middle of the flower standeth a long green head commonly three square which is the Seed-vessel compassed about with six chives tipt with pendents which are those after the French we call Tamis in colour usually answerable to that of the bottom which often changeth for when a red or purple flower with a blew or other dark-coloured bottom and Tamis marketh well with white the bottom will be white also the bottom running up into the leaves which is a prime cause of the well marking thereof but the Tamis remain without alteration whereby the flower may be known through all the various mutations thereof the rule holding certain in most of the best flowers After the leaves of the flower are faln the head or Seed-vessel groweth biger rounder and longer containing usually six rows of flat thin brown gristly Seed The roots are some rounder and bigger than others sharp at the upper end and in those roots that will bear flowers either forked or shewing two points to put forth two leaves but in such as will not bear but one the bottom is big and round with a little woolly eminence on the one side thereof from whence the Fibres come forth on the other side in such roots as have born flowers there is a hollow chanel where the stalk grew which yearly shifteth from side to side arising immediately from that eminence which is in the bottom of every root but more in some than others These roots are composed of several thick skins folded within each other and covered with a thin brown Coat which is every year renewed and the old cast off And now having done with the general we will proceed to a more particular description and first of the Praecoces or early flowering Tulips the varieties whereof are chiefly of two sorts or manners those of the first or more common rank are called Edgers and are either Red Carnation Crimson or Scarlet deeper or lighter with yellow straw-colour or white edges or else sadder or paler violet graydeline or murey-purple with greater or lesser white edges of these there are a multitude of
Sallet Oyl and place it where it may receive some little warmth from the fire and abouts the end of August set it in the ground putting some soot made by a wood-fire mixed with sand about it covering the place with a pot the bottom turned upward to keep it from wet until the fibres are come forth which will be by the end of September or not at all With such roots thus handled it often happeneth that though some of the outer folds rot and consume yet the middle and heart will remain sound and in two or three years bear a flower again Now for such defects as happen to these roots after they are set and put forth green leaves if any of them begin to fade and wither open the earth to the bottom of the root to find the cause and if the root be moist and feel soft it is past help but if any thing hard it may be recovered by putting soot and dry sand to the root and covering it as in the former leaving the place something open that it may dry down the sooner In hot days take off the pot and take up the root as soon as the fibres are gone and keep it in Wooll wet in Oyl near the fire last set it again after the manner of the former by this means many good flowers have been saved which neglected had been undoubtedly lost And as we industriously endeavor to recover such sickly roots of choice flowers so purposely we infect others more vulgar with sickness by taking up the roots a little before they come to flower and laying them in the Sun to abate their luxury and cause them to come better marked the year following this I have often done with strong and lusty roots of the Pass Oudinard Pass Cittadel Pass Heron Agot Robine Turloone Widows and such like ordinary flowers and commonly found the success answer my expectation in many and some of them to come so well marked that they might be taken for much better flowers than they are especially if a new name be put upon them as some flower-merchants about London use to do The next thing to be considered is the manner of raising new varieties a practice fit for the best Florists and this is effected chiefly by sowing the seeds of some choice flowers as also by the changing of off-sets and the secret working of nature upon divers self-colours For seeds you must be sure to make choice of such flowers as have strong stalks and the seed-vessel three square of such kinds as are most constantly well marked and such as have the bottoms and Tamis either blew or purple which is rarely to be found in the Praecoces whose bottoms are commonly white or yellow yet there is one excellent kind before described by the name of the Omen that aptly marketh with three colours and hath the bottom and Tamis both blew from the seeds whereof doubtless many fine varieties may be raised next unto this the Florizante Morillion Cramosine Perishot Admiral Encusen and the rest of the well-marked Praecoces are not without hope but from the Vice-Roy and the varieties of Edgers few better than the originals are to be expected The Medias or middle flowering Tulips afford many more excellent varieties fit for this purpose as the Adoratea of Holland Carthago Paragon Jeron Doctor Bolson Paragon Florison Royal Tudart Orient Virgin Diana Angellica Cedanella Princess Turgiana all the Brabasons bew Anvers and divers others All these named being well-marked flowers of different colours with blew or purple bottoms and Tamis not apt to run but abiding constant to the last and therefore all flowers of hope and such as few lovers and collectors of flowers are without Commonly we make choice of such we intend for seed when they are in flower but in so doing we often fail of our purpose for that the roots lose their fibres and the stalks dry before the seeds come to be half ripe to prevent which make choice of the strongest roots you have of such flowers you desire to seed and set them in that part of your Garden most exposed to the Sun six or seven inches in the ground by which means you may gain good ripe seeds from almost any flower as I have found by experience About the middle of July sooner or later as the Summer is hotter or colder the seeds will be ready to gather which may be known by the dryness of the stalks and the opening of the seed-vessels which gather and take up the roots letting the seeds remain in the pods until the end of September and then take them out which being cleansed from chaff may be sowed in beds of fine sifted earth especially the more ordinary sorts but those of the choicest flowers must be sowed in Boxes filled with the finest earth that can be gotten in respect the young roots are apt to run down deep in the earth so that in beds many of them will be lost Sow not these seeds too thick nor cover them more than a finger thick in March following they will come up with small leaves like grass and in April weed and gently water them as often as you shall find occasion About Midsummer two years after the sowing you may take them up cleanse the small roots and set them again in rows at a wider distance and so every other year until they come to bear flowers still altering the ground with fresh earth and sifted compost before you set them again it will be six or seven years before the Praecoces will bear flowers but the Medias a year or two sooner when you see the flowers mark out the best and give them new names casting away the common reds yellows and purples and reserving such self-colours chiefly as are light with blew purple or black bottoms and Tamis for such often change into fairer flowers and better marked than many that shew their best at first flowering And although probably many fine flowers may be raised from the seeds of those well-marked flowers before mentioned yet such as have a good collection of Modes or self-colours observing what colours are aptest to change and by the bottoms running up into the leaves become well marked with several colours doubtless by sowing the seeds of such the product maybe as answerable to expectation and though they come at first wholly of one colour yet if that be either Orenge Brimston Hair Dove Gredeline Isabella Shamway or any other light or strange colour they are to be esteemed for in a year or two many such have changed into good marked flowers and so with all their increase continued To hasten which effect let such of your colours as are strong and luxuriant be set in lean and hungry but fresh ground and the next year after in that which is fat and well manured and so yearly removed to contrary soils untill you obtain the end desired and such flowers may be set in your Garden and the rest continued The like
a more sullen Brimston-colour and the cup also waxeth paler this is sweet like the former and worthy of esteem Narcissus Narbonensis sive medio luteus THe French Daffodill with the yellow cup hath long and something broad leaves but not so long as the two former it beareth sometimes eight or ten flowers on one stalk made of six small white leaves and a little round yellow cup in the middle of a soft sweet scent of this kinde there are five or six several sorts some flowering earlier some bigger and some bearing more flowers than others Narcissus totus albus Polianthos THe all-white Daffodill with many flowers is like the French Daffodill last described onely the flowers are all white as well the cup as the outer leaves of this there is a lesser and a greater but the greater is much the better Narcissus Cyprius flore pleno Polianthos THe double yellow Daffodill of Cyprus with many flowers hath leaves almost as broad and long as the former and a stalk above a foot high which beareth four or five small double pale yellow flowers of a strong heady scent it is tender and must be defended from frosts in the winter Narcissus medio luteus Corona duplici THe Turky Daffodill with a double Crown cometh up with three or four long broad leaves with a large tall stalk bearing four or five small milk-white flowers with a double yellow cup in the middle composed of many small short yellow leaves or parts of several cups one within another this is exceeding sweet and not so tender as the last Narcissus Chalcidonicus flore pleno Polianthos THe double Daffodill of Constantinople with many flowers is like the last described the leaves come up before other Daffodils and the stalk beareth four or five small double white flowers the leaves standing without order and many pieces of a yellow cup among them there is another of this kind that beareth fewer and lesser flowers the pieces of the yellow cup that is mixed with the white leaves are edged with purple they are both very sweet and fine flowers but the first is much the better and is more tender than the other The great African Daffodill flowreth about the middle of March the Brimstone-colour in the beginning of April the French Daffodils and the all white betimes in March the double yellow of Cyprus flowreth about the end of April and the other of Constantinople about the end of March but after some mild winter much sooner The next division of true Daffodills is of Juncifolias those with round rush-like leaves whereof there is some diversity the best of which are these that follow Narcissus Juncifolius albus THe white Junquilia or Rush Daffodill hath a small round blackish root from whence spring up three or four small long Rush-like green leaves with a stalk more than a foot high bearing three or four little flowers each containing six white leaves and a round cup in the middle of the same colour There is another of this kind that beareth white flowers with larger cups in nothing else differing Narcissus Juncifolius flore albo reflexo THe white turning Junquilia or Rush Daffodill hath green leaves like the former but somewhat shorter rounder and greener the leaves of the flowers are larger the cups much bigger and both of a white coleur the six leaves turning back even to the foot stalks Narcissus Juncifolius flore luteo reflexo THe yellow turning Junquilia differeth chiefly from the last in the colour of the flowers which in this are wholly of a gold yellow colour Narcissus Juncifolius chalice albo reflexis foliis luteis THe yellow turning Junquilia with a white cup differeth from the rest in that the outer leaves of the flowers are pale yellow and the cups milk white Narcissus Juncifolius chalice luteo reflexis foliis albidis THe white turding Junquilia with a yellow cup is only different from the other in that the flowers are contrary to them the turning leaves in this being white and the cup yellow Narcissus Juncifolius luteus magno chalice THe Junquilia or Rush Daffodil with a great cup is bigger in all the parts thereof than any of the former the flowers are seldom more than three on one stalk which are larger than in any other Rush Daffodil the outer leaves are yellow and do not turn towards the stalk but rather towards the cup which is big proportionally to the outer leaves and of a deeper yellow colour Narcissus Juncifolius luteus flore pleno THe double Junquilia or Rush Daffodill in all the parts thereof is like the common Junquilia only the flowers of this are thick and double consisting of several rows of leaves with the cups or pieces thereof betwixt every row of bigger leaves and wholly of a fair yellow colour there is another of this kind that beareth double flowers but lesser and much inferiour to this All these Junquilias or Rush Daffodils do flower in April some sooner than others and most of those that turn back their leaves are commonly in flower together Narcissus Marinus sive tertius Mathioli THe great Sea Daffodill or Mathiolus his third Daffodil hath a root far bigger than any other the forementioned Daffodills the leaves are commonly six in number of a whitish green colour twice as thick and broad as any of the former but not so long as many of them from the middle and sides whereof springeth up one two and sometimes three great stalks more than a foot high bearing at the tops thereof ten twelve or more flowers on each stalk consisting of six white leaves spread or layed open with a white short cup or crown in the middle lying flat upon the leaves cut or divided into six corners from whence standeth forth long white threads turning up the ends and some other white threads in the middle also tipt with yellow pendents This springeth late out of the ground seldome before the beginning of April and flowreth in the end of May and sometimes not untill the beginning of June Narcissus Indicus autumnalis latifolius rubellus instar Liliì polianthos THe Indian broad-leaved Autumn Daffodill with many Lily-like reddish flowers on one stalk Narcissus Indicus autumnalis rubello albicante colore polianthos THe Indian Autumn Daffodill with many blush flowers on one stalk Narcissus Indicus latifolia squamosa radice flore phoeniceo THe Indian broad-leaved Daffodill with a scaly root and scarlet flower Narcissus latifolius flore Phoeniceo instar Jacobei polianthos THe broad leaved Daffodil with scarlet flowers many on one stalk vulgarly called Jacobea this is the red Daffodil described by Mr. Parkinson the plant is tender unapt to live with us and the flower of small beauty Narcissus Virginianus latifolius flore purpurascente THe broad leaved Virginian Daffodil with a purplish flower This Daffodil beareth many flowers on one stalk like small Lillies of a sullen purplish colour never opening and seldome shewing the inner sides of the leaves in its natural country and
I doubt will hardly live in ours Of this generation is the Narcissus of Japan or Garnsey Lilly which there prospers and bears in October Peach-coloured flowers These Indian Daffodills flower late most of them not before September and some after they are all strangers in England except that of Garnsey many of them are described by Ferrarius and I finde them all mentioned in the Catalogue of the Paris Garden but of what beauty they are or how they prosper there I confess I am yet to learn and I doubt Indian Plants like little better in France than with us besides they being of the nature of the great Sea Daffodill if the fibres be either broken in taking up those large roots or spoiled by so long a journey the roots will undoubtedly perish and never comprehend in the ground or spring at all And thus much for the true Daffodils and now we shall pass to the bastard kind and set down some or the best of them beginning with the biggest and best known called Pseudonarcissus aureus Hispanicus maximus THe great yellow Spanish bastard Daffodill from a great root set deep in the ground which it affecteth cometh up many thick stiff leaves of a grayish green colour with a stalk three foot high bearing at the top thereof one fair large yellow flower not hanging down the head but standing forth consisting of six short and something broad leaves and a great Trunk in the middle a little crumpled and wide open at the mouth turning up the brims Pseudonarcissus Hispanicus flore albo major THe great white Spanish bastard Daffodill is not so large as the former yellow in any of the parts thereof it beareth one milk-white flower hanging down the head which is of the fashion and almost as big as the former there are two other sorts of white Spanish bastard Daffodills which are lesser and wholly of a Snow-white colour Pseudonarcissus maximus flore pleno THe greatest double bastard Daffodill or Tradescants double Daffodill of all other is the most stately and beareth the biggest doublest and gallantest flower of all the double Daffodills it hath a great round root covered with a brownish skin from whence springeth four or five somewhat large leaves but not very long of a whitish green colour the stalk riseth about a foot high bearing at the top thereof one fair great flower very much spread open like a full-blown Province Rose consisting of a great number of small pale yellow leaves and almost as many larger of a deeper yellow colour standing in rows one under another shorter and shorter by degrees even to the middle of the flower Pseudonarcissus major flore pleno TUggies great double bastard Daffodill in all the parts thereof is like the last described but onely in the fashion of the flower which of this is of the same yellow colour large and double but not so well spread open nor the broken parts of the cup so well parted being like to the next in fashion but far more thick and double and a much better flower Pseudonarcissus minor flore pleno THe lesser double bastard Daffodill or Willmors double Daffodill hath as large roots and something longer leaves than the former it beareth one double yellow large flower but not so fair and double as either of the former yet the leaves of this are larger though not so many sometimes it will be a fair double flower with the cup much broken and mixed with the paler outer leaves and sometimes with the six paler outer leaves and a great double Trunck in some close and unbroken and in others half broken and divided into many parts Pseudonarcissus flore pleno minimus THe least double bastard Daffodill or Parkinsons double Daffodill is like the last in all the parts thereof but lesser the flower is double consisting of some rowes of pale yellow outer leaves and some pieces of a broken deeper greenish yellow Trunck forming a long greenish yellow double flower not so big as the last Pseudonarcissus Anglicus flore pleno THe double English bastard Daffodill or Gerards double Daffodill differeth onely from the common English bastard Daffodill in that the flower of this is double consisting of the pale yellow outer leaves and parts of the deeper yellow trunck divided in several rows one within another and sometimes the trunck is onely double and some parts or sides of the flower of a greenish yellow Pseudonarcissus angustifolius aureus multiplex THe golden double narrow-leaved Daffodill hath narrow leaves of a whitish green colour about four or five inches long with a stalk almost a foot high bearing one double flower consisting of six yellow outward leaves and many that are smaller and of a deeper yellow thick set together in the middle with some of the paler leaves among them the middle of the flower pointing forth different from all the double Daffodills this is as rare as any of the former They do all flower from the middle of March to the middle of April most of them being commonly in flower together Pseudonarcissus Juncifolius albus THe white bastard Junquilia or Rush Daffodill hath two or three large green leaves not altogether so round or Rush-like as those of the fore-mentioned kinds the stalk is about half a foot high bearing at the top one small white flower with six small and short leaves standing about the middle of the trunck which is long and very wide open at the brims the small outer leaves are a little greenish and the great trunck is milk-white Pseudonarcissus Juncifolius luteus major THe great yellow bastard Junquilia hath bigger longer and broader green leaves than the former the stalk is higher and the flower larger and more open at the mouth than the white and wholly of a yellow colour Of this there is another sort that no way differeth from it but in that it is lesser in all the parts thereof there is likewise a third that is like the great yellow but fairer and flowereth a moneth after it in all other parts agreeing All these bastard Junquilias flower in March except the last which is a month later the lesser yellow is the most common and is sold by the Walloons by the name of Junquillia Mutone The greatest number of the Daffodills are hardy and increase exceedingly in almost any soil and some of them are very tender and must be planted in good earth a warm place and defended from Frosts in Winter such are the double white Daffodills of Virginia the double yellow of Cyprus and those of Constantinople and indeed all those that bear many flowers on one stalk are more tender than the other sorts therefore it will be convenient to place them all together under some South wall where they may stand unremoved many years in respect they are not very apt to off-set neither do they yearly unless they be taken up lose all their fibres so that by long standing in a place the roots will grow great and the flowers
will be many and fair all the other sorts that bear but one flower may be taken up in the beginning of June and kept dry untill September the Sea Daffodill and those of India excepted which hold their fibres and must not be removed but upon necessity and then planted again as soon as may be The Sea Daffodill is far more hardy than those of India which require to be planted in boxes and housed in winter but the other may be set under a south wall where it may stand twenty years without removing If any desire to sow the seeds of Daffodills in hope to raise some new varieties those of the Nonparel the great Spanish yellow the Spanish whites the great Junquilia and the bastard kind are the aptest to bring good seeds and the likeliest to yield diversities they may be sowed in September and not removed of three years and then in June taken up and presently set again in good ground at wider distances where they may stand until you may see what flowers they will bear and then disposed as they shall deserve The seeds of the Sea Daffodill must be sowed very thin by it self and not removed for the space of ten years about which time it will bear flowers and when you take it up the Fibres which it still holdeth must be kept whole and the root presently set again where it may stand without removing all the Indian Daffodils are of the same nature but much more tender If the seeds were obtained perhaps they might be the products to plants more durable being naturalized and bred up in our own Countrey but so long expectation requireth much patience though little pains in planting only sowing them in boxes letting them not freez in Winter nor want water in Somer Having now done with the Daffodils wee will conclude this Chapter with some diversities of Lucoium Bulbosum the Bulbous Violet which is of the nature of the Daffodills and then proceed to the Hyacinths Lucoium Bulbosum praecox majus THe greater early Bulbous Violet from a small round root like unto that of a Daffodil putteth forth three or four very green broad flat and short leaves with a naked green stalk at the top whereof out of a thin skin cometh forth one and sometimes two small white flowers hanging down the heads consisting of six short leaves standing round together with small sharp points of a pale greenish colour Lucoium bulbosum praecox minus THe lesser early Bulbous Violet cometh up with two narrow grayish green leaves with a small stalk betwixt them bearing one small pendulous flower with three small pointed white leaves on the out side with three shorter within them standing round like a cup edged with green this is that common kind vulgarly called the Snow-flower Lucoium majus bulbosum serotinum THe great late-flowring bulbous Violet is in all the parts thereof very like unto the first but much bigger it beareth upon a reasonable tall stalk bigger in the middle than at either end three or four flowers like in form and colour unto the first we have had two other varieties which came from Portugall but both of them so tender that they would not abide in our cold Countrey The first flowreth about the end of February the second or lesser a fortnight before it and the great late flowring kind not untill May. They all increase by the root like Daffodills being very apt to off-set they lose their fibres and therefore may be taken up and kept dry untill Autumn and then choice being made of the biggest roots to set the rest may be cast away for a few of these will be sufficient to furnish a garden especially of the lesser and common kind CHAP. XI Hyacinthus sive Jacinthus THe Hyacinth or Jacinth is of divers sorts and many of them of small esteem we will make choice of the best and set them down in order beginning with that so much desired by all Florists Hyacinthus Indicus tuberosa radice THe great Indian tuberous-rooted Hyacinth hath a thick tuberous knobbed root formed into several heads with many thick fibres at the bottoms of them from those heads rise up several strong and tall stalks set with divers fair long and broad green leaves joyned at the bottom close unto the stalk where they are biggest growing smaller and smaller even to the top thereof where stand many fair large flowers each composed of six white leaves spread open like those of a white Daffodill with some short threds in the middle and of a strong sweet scent there is another of this kind that differeth only from this in that it is lesser in all the parts thereof Hyacinthus Botroides major sive Muscari flore flavo THe great yellow Musk Grape flower or yellow Muscari from a long round root with many thick fat fibres underneath which do not perish as those of many of the other Jacinths do spring up five or six leaves which at first are reddish and after of a whitish green colour hollow or guttered on the upper side sometimes from an old root that hath stood long unremoved cometh up three or four weak stalks commonly lying on the leaves loaden towards the top with many flowers like little bottles of a fair yellow colour and of a Musk sweet scent Muscari flore cineritio THe Ash-coloured Muscari is in roots leaves stalks and flowers like unto the last but something lesser the leaves a little paler and the flowers of a bleak Ash-colour as sweet or rather sweeter than the former Muscari flore rubro THe red Muscari differeth chiefly from the last in that the flowers of this are of a yellowish red colour and of a softer sweet scent Muscari flore albo THe white Muscari is like the last only the flowers of this are of a pale bleak white colour and of a strong Musky scent Hyacinthus comosus ramosus purpureus THe fair-haired branched Jacinth hath broader leaves than any of the former not lying on the ground but standing more upright but hollow like the other the stalk riseth up half a yard high branched out on every side with many tuffs or knaps at the ends of them of a dark murrey purple colour the roots are great and hold their fibres like those of the Muscari Hyacinthus comosus ramosus elegantior THe fair curled haired Jacinth is in all the parts thereof like the former the only difference being in the flowers which of this is a bush or tuft of many branches sub-divided into divers long curled threds or hairs of a fine bright murry purple colour as well the top of the stalk as the flower this is a beautifull and strange fashioned flower and hath been of great esteem but now grown something common Hyacinthus Stellatus major Peruanus THe great starry Jacinth of Peru from a great root like unto that of the Muscari come up before winter many broad long sharp-pointed green leaves which lye on the ground round about the head thereof from
years from the sowing before they come to bear flowers yet it is worth the labour and attendance for that seeds of the two Lilly Asphodills may be obtained from places far distant better than plants Having done with these flower-bearing plants before we pass to the rest of the Bulbous roots the varieties of Paeonies are to be handled which shall be the subject of our next discourse CHAP. XV. Paeonia THe Peonie is of two sorts Male and Female The Male is to be known from all the rest in that the leaves are constantly whole without any division and the roots are long and round of this there is but one sort and that preserved more for its Physical properties than for the beauty of the flowers the Female is of many sorts some bearing single and others double flowers the leaves of them all are cut in and divided on the edges more or less and the roots are more tuberous growing in clogs like those of the Asphodill with many round pieces fastened to the head with smaller strings There are four sorts that bear single flowers which are the Male kind with purplish red single flowers the common Female with smaller and darker purplish single red flowers the blush with large blush flowers and the single Piony of Constantinople whose flowers are larger than those of the Male kind and of a deeper red colour without any shew of purple these are of small esteem yet the two last for variety may be admitted those that bear double flowers are best worthy to be regarded the which we will particularly describe and first begin with that best known Paeonia foemina vulgaris flore pleno rubro THe double red Peonie hath many stalks and store of leaves divided or cut in at the edges of a dark green colour the flowers grow on the tops of the stalks which are very large thick and double of a full deep red colour and seldome continuing above eight days before they shed their leaves the roots are many long clogs fastened to the head or main root with smaller strings this is so common and well known that it needeth no description Poeonia foemina flore pleno purpureo THe double purple Peony differeth from the last in that it is smaller in all the parts thereof and the leaves of a whiter green colour the flowers are double consisting of some broad and many narrow leaves of a fine bright shining purple colour which fall away like those of the former Paeonia foemina flore pleno rubescente THe double Carnation Peony hath lower and stiffer stalks than the former with smaller leaves divided or cut-in in some places on the edges as all the Female kinds are the flowers are neither so big nor so double by much as those of the common red of a bright shining carnation colour at the first opening but dayly declining and waxing paler untill it come to be almost white never shedding the leaves but abiding long and at last wither on the stalk the roots are like the former but smaller and of a brighter brown colour on the outside I have one of this kind that beareth large thick and double flowers consisting of many long round pointed leaves the ends and sides thereof turn white in one hot day and continue so with a red stripe in the middle many days then wither on the stalks Paeonia foemina flore pleno albicante THe double blush or white Peonie is in the manner of growing like unto the last described but taller the green leaves something larger more veined and ribbed than those of any the other sorts the flowers are much bigger than those of the last and more thick and double which at the first opening are of a fine light blush colour but by standing blown in a few days will turn to be of a pale white and so continue a long time before they decay the leaves not falling off but withering on the stalk like those of the last and this is accounted the best of all the double Peonies which have hitherto come to our knowledge I have often heard of a double Peonie that hath snow white flowers from the first opening thereof and so abiding constant to the last but have not seen any such and therefore doubt the verity of the report Paeonia faemina flore pleno variegata THe double striped Peonie in the manner of growing is like the last but something smaller in all the parts thereof the flowers are double of a fine red colour striped and variegated with white abiding long in flower and at last the leaves wither but fall not off They all flower in May sooner or later as they stand more or less in the Sun All the Peonies are hardy and being set in good ground will continue and abide many years without removing they are commonly set in great tufts in the middle or corners of knots or on borders and may be taken up parted and planted again from September unto the end of October those roots that have sprouts or buds at the ends of them are best to be planted for those clogs or roots that are without them will ly in the ground and never spring at all except those of the double purple every piece whereof will grow being aptest to increase of all other in some years the double kinds do bring some seeds to perfection which being set or sowed very thin in September or October where they may stand unremoved until they flower which will be about seaven years from the sowing herhaps some new varieties may be produced especially from the seeds of the Carnation Blush Purple and variegated kinds And now we will return to the rest of the blubous and tuberous-rooted plants remaining to be described and set them down in order according to their similitude and several relations to each other and first of that whick flowreth first though vulgarly accounted last CHAP. XVI Colchicum THe Meadow-Saffron whereof there are many sorts some of them for the beauty of their flowers deserving place in this Collection the which shall be described the rest bearing single flowers wholly of one colour and neither eminently striped nor checkered we will pass over as not worth the trouble Colchicum versicolor THe party-coloured Meadow-Saffron and all the rest except those of the Spring bring forth their flowers in Autum before the green leaves appear which being kept back by Winter come not up untill February the flowers of this come out of the ground late in the year three four or more from one root standing on very short foot-foot-stalks composed of six leaves whereof some are white others of a pale purple and some of them half white and the rest purple with some threds or chives in the middle like unto the Crocus or Safforn-flowers of the Spring after the flowers are past the green leaves do not presently come forth little of them appearing above ground before the end of February which at first are of a dark brown colour but with
the middle and a long feathered topt pointell the green leaves succeed the flowers sometimes appearing before Winter but most usually not untill the Spring the root is small and white like that of the lesser purple Crocus montanus Autumnalis THe Autum mountain Crocus springeth later than any of the former about the end of October with three or four short green leaves and after them the flowers which are of a pale bleak blew colour standing on short foot-stalks scarcely appearing above ground at the first but afterwards grow a little higher the root is great with a flat bottom covered with a dark-gray coat and increasing very little These are all the Autumn kinds hitherto discovered those of the Spring are in flower one after another and many of the best together from the middle of February unto the middle of March the Duke Crocus and those with netted roots being commonly the first and the greatest purple the last those of Autumn flower from the beginning of September to the end of October one after another in order as they stand described All these several sorts of Crocus both of the Spring and Autumn lose their fibres with their leaves and may then be taken up and kept dry those of Autumn until August and of the Spring untill October they are hardy and will prosper in any place the Vernal increase exceedingly if they stand any time unremoved as the true Saffron doth which is taken up every third year the other Autumnal increase very little the best place to plant Spring Crocus is close up to a wall or pale or on the edges of boarded borders round about the Garden mingling the colours of those of a season together as the whites with the purples the best Cloth of Gold with the Royal the deep purple feathered with the lighter and so of the rest by observation most of them may be distinguished by the roots and so placed according to the fancy of the Planter but the fore-mentioned places are the best for that few other flowers appear untill they are past for should they be set among Tulips as some use to do the Grassy leaves after the flowers are gone would more trouble and disgrace the place than the flowers did delight and adorn it many more varieties than are yet discovered may be raised from the seeds of the best of these being sowed in September and every other year in July removed and set wider untill they bear flowers mak ng the ground light and rich into which they are transplanted which will be a great addition unto them CHAP. XVIII Iris bulbosa THe bulbous Flower-de-luce is of two sorts the one bigger and the other lesser in all the parts thereof the first is called Iris bulbosa latifolia the broad-leaved bulbous Iris or Flower-de-luce whereof there are many fine varieties the other is called Iris bulbosa tenuifolia the narrow-leaved bulbous Flower-de-luce of which there are more diversities than in the former but most of them of less esteem Before we proceed to the descriptions of these there are two other sorts of Flower-de-luces deserve to be mentioned and first that called Iris bulbosa prima Clusii latifolia THe first great bulbous Flower-de-luce of Clusins before the long broad flaggy thin green leaves rise up to half their height or length putteth forth two or three flowers from the middle of them standing on short weak foot-stalks each flower consisting of nine leaves as all Flower-de-luces do whereof those three that stand upright are short and closed together the three that fall down turn up the ends and the three arched leaves which in other Flower-de-luces cover the bottoms of them stand up parted into two ends in some white but in most of a sky-colour with a long stripe in each of the three falling leaves and all these diversities have been found in this flower although there be but one kinde thereof altering in colour according to the nourishment it receiveth as it hapneth in divers other Plants After the flowers are past the green leaves grow longer the root is somthing big round and white covered with brown skins having two or three long thick roots growing under it from whence many small fibres shoot into the ground Iris Persica THe Persian Iris or Flower-de-luce cometh up with one two or three flowers according to the age of the Plant as soon as the green leaves begin to appear above the ground which after the flowers are past grow broad long and flaggy like those of the former the flowers stand on weak short foot-foot-stalks composed of nine leaves the three that turn down are of a pale sky-colour with a large spot of brown purple almost black on the ends thereof with another spot of deep yellow above it streaming along the middle of these leaves under the arches with many small spots of the same dark purple-colour on both the sides thereof the three arched leaves that cover the lower part of the falling leaves are of the same pale sky-colour with the ridge but a little blewer and the ends parted in two pieces and turned up the three other leaves which in other Flower-de-luces stand up and are called the top leaves in this are very small and turn down towards the stalk of the same pale sky-colour that is in the arched leaves the root is like that of the former The first is said to flower in its natural Country in January and February but with us not untill April and most usually in May the other flowereth with us in the end of February or beginning of March The first is a tender Plant and must be planted in a warm place and defended from Frosts in Winter the other is more hardy and will grow and bear flowers plentifully in any good soil after the leaves are dryed down and about the time that Tulips are taken up the roots of these may be removed but in the taking of them up care must be had that the long roots that grow under the bulb be not broken they may be kept dry untill September and then parted and planted again in good rich earth and in a warm place where they may stand three years unremoved but if you take them up every other year they will bear the better Iris bulbosa major sive Anglica caerulea THe English blew bulbous Flower-de-luce riseth up with five or six big thick long leaves crested on the back and hollow on the other side blunt at the ends and of a whitish green colour out of the middle whereof the stalk riseth about two foot high bearing at the top out of a thin skinny hose one and sometimes two flowers composed of nine leaves three turned downwards longer and broader than any of the other each having a yellow spot about the middle of the broadest part of the leaf as in all others of this kind that follow it hath three other small and arched leaves covering the lower parts of the falling leaves turning up the ends
them then digg up a broad thick turf in some Meadow or other place where they naturally grow then open a hole and set the turf therein with the grass upwards wherein with a knife cut round holes taking out the pieces so rounded and put the roots in the places and and fill them up with some of the same earth this may be done in June or July and at the Spring when the grass and flowers grow up together with a pair of Scisers cut the grass low and leave the flowers which by this means will prosper and bear as well as in their natural habitations as I have experienced Dens Caninus DOggs-tooth or Dogs-tooth Violet is a kind of Satyrion as the spotted leaves and roots do manifest but of greater beauty and rarity than any of the former that grow wild with us as these do also in divers places of Italy Germany and France and for the beauty of their flowers deserve to be planted in the best Gardens Dens Caninus flore albo DOggs-tooth with a white flower comes up in the Spring with two leaves when it will flower otherwise but one which come out of the ground closed together with the flower between them which opening lay themselves flat on the ground the stalk and flower standing up between them the leaves are of whitish green colour long and narrow but broadest in the middle spotted and striped with white lines and spots the stalk is about half a foot high bearing at the top one flower hanging down the head containing six narrow long white leaves which turn up again to the stalk like to the flowers of Cyclamen in the middle of the flower there is a white three-forked stile compassed about with six chives tipt with sad purple pendents the root is long and white like a Doggs-tooth from whence it is so called with a small peece joyned to the bottom thereof Dens Caninus flore purpurascente DOggs-tooth with a pale purple flower is lesser in all the parts thereof than the former the leaves are broader but shorter spotted and marked with darker lines and spots the flower is like that of the other but smaller and of a pale purple colour Dens Caninus flore rubro DOggs-tooth with a red flower hath leaves of yellowish green mealy-colour spotted with red the flower is of a deep reddish purple colour and the chives more purple than those of the last Dens Caninus flore luteo DOggs-tooth with a yellow flower differeth from the first in that the leaves of this are sadder and browner and the flower of a fine pale yellow colour in other things agreeing These pretty flowers come forth in the end of March or beginning of April they do not affect a dunged soil but must be planted in good fresh earth about the middle of August before they put forth new fibres for although they lose the old every year yet they quickly recover new and therefore must not be kept long out of ground and when they are set it will be convenient to cover the place with some pot or tub to defend them from wet untill they have put forth fibres and begin to get strength which will be within a fortnight if they be set at the fore-mentioned time and then all danger is past for too much rain falling upon them presently after they are set will be apt to rot and spoil them these roots do seldom increase with us but many of them are yearly brought over out of France and Flanders by such that make a Trade of selling flowers whereof there are many now about London but commonly they come over so late that not one in ten of them will grow CHAP. XXII Cyclamen SOw-bread in the spotting and marking of the green leaves and turning back of the flowers somewhat resembling the Doogs-tooth is next to be handled There are many varieties thereof and most of them worthy to be received into the Gardens of the best Florists adorning them with diversities of gallant variaged green leaves as well as fine sweet-smelling flowers some of them appearing in the Spring some in Somer but most in Autumn of all which in order Cyclamen Vernum flore purpureo THe purple Cyclamen of the Spring hath a smaller root than many of those that follow round and flat like a Turnip and almost black on the outside from whence springeth up divers round-cornered and sharp-pointed green leaves spotted and circled with white round about the middle on the upper side and red underneath the flowers come up folded in the leaves every one upon a small long stalk hanging down their heads and turning up the leaves again composed of five narrow long leaves which in this are of a bright shining reddish purple colour and sweet scent after the flowers are past the head or seed-vessel shrinketh down winding the stalk in a scrowl about it and resteth on the ground hid under the leaves where it groweth great and round containing some small seeds There is one of this kind that flowereth about Christmas if not hindred by hard Frosts Cyclamen Vernum flore albo THe white Cyclamen of the Spring differeth from the former in that the leaves of this are rounder and not so much indented and the flowers snow-white in scent far sweeter than the former in all other things agreeing Cyclamen Vernum Creticum flore albo THe white Candy Cyclamen of the Spring differeth from the last in that the green leaves are larger longer more indented and eminently marked the flowers longer and the leaves of them broader in all other parts agreeing with the former Cyclamen Antiochenum flore amplo albo duplici Vernale THe double white Spring Cyclamen of Antioch hath large long spotted leaves and tall stalks with large double white flowers consisting of twelve leaves or more Cyclamen Vernum flore purpurascente THe pale purple Cyclamen of the Spring is very like that of Candy but that the green leaves are broader and better marked the flowers larger and of a fine pale purple towards the points of the leaves the rest deeper in all other things agreeing with the white of Candy and is a diversity raised from the seeds thereof Cyclamen Aestivum THe Sommer Cyclamen hath round green leaves somewhat cornered and marked with white on the upper side and dark red underneath the flowers are small purple and sweet like unto the first purple of the Spring Cyclamen Romanum THe Roman Cyclamen hath rounder leaves than the last sometimes indented at the edges and eminently marked about the middle with white spots the flowers spring up before the leaves commonly about July which are short and of a fair reddish purple colour the root is bigger than any of the former and the seeds being sowed bring forth varieties differing in the marking of the green leaves and in the size and colour of the flowers some being bigger than others and of a deeper or lighter reddish purple colour Cyclamen Hederae folio autumnale THe Ivy-leaved Cyclamen of
months and in any place for they are hardy and will thrive more than better things Radix Cava HOllow-root is a Plant as low in growth as reputation the common and ordinary are cast out of every good Garden and these following chiefly retained Radix Cava major flore albo THe white Hollow-root cometh out of the ground about the end of March with green leaves like those of the Colombine from among which rise up two or three short stalks naked from the bottom to the middle where the flowers come forth one above another every flower having a short green leaf at the foot thereof which are long and hollow with a heel behind like uhto the flowers of the common Larks spur with bigger bellies and the mouthes not so open being wholly of a pure white colour the root is big and round of a yellowish brown colour on the outside but more yellow within and hollow underneath Radix Cava major flore carneo THe blush-coloured Hollow-root is in all things like the former but that the flowers of this are of a light red or deep blush-colour and sometimes the flowers of some Plants of this kind will be of a deep reddish purple colour These kinds of Hollow-root come up in the end of March flower in April and are under-ground again in May the roots lose the fibres and may be kept out of the ground two or three moneths they are apt to increase and will like in any soil but best in that which is inclining to sand so as they stand not too hot in the Sun CHAP. XXVI Hepatica Nobilis NOble Liver-wort is of two sorts the one bearing single and the other double flowers the first are now little esteemed and few of them entertained by the curious but the double kinds more respected and some of them accounted very rare we will begin with that best known Hepatica Nobilis flore pleno purpureo THe double purple Hepatica cometh up before the leaves with many small and something long naked stalks each of them bearing at the top thereof one small double flower of a violet purple colour at which time the leaves spring up foulded at the first but after opening themselves are divided at the edges in three parts standing on several long foot-stalks as high as the flowers which leaves will continue untill new come again so that commonly the flowers rise up among the old leaves the root is composed of many long black strings fastened to a head from whence the leaves and flowers spring Hepatica nobilis flore pleno caeruleo THe double blew Hepatica is in all things like the former but the colour of the flowers which in this are of light watchet blew colour Hepatica nobilis flore pleno albo THe double white Hepatica hath smaller and fresher green leaves than either of the former the flowers snow-white and as thick and double more rare to be found and therefore much more esteemed Hepatica nobilis flore pleno rubro THe double red Hepatica is in all things like the last but onely the colour of the flowers which are as thick and double as any of the former and of a fine pleasant pale red inclining to Peach-colour These are the most valuable diversities that hitherto have come to our knowledge there are others that bear single flowers of the same colours of the double ones but little esteemed by any good Florists yet by some are preserved chiefly for that they bear seeds from whence varieties are expected but I have not heard or seen any that have been so raised that are considerable It is reported that the double white and the double red have been raised from the seeds of the single kinds I confess I have not seen either of them and therefore can give no further assurance than the credit of a good Florist the reporter The double kinds flower about the middle of March and the single ones a fortnight sooner they must be planted like the Auricula in rich well-dunged ground where they will thrive and bear plentifully and may be increased by parting the roots after they are grown into several heads Geranium CRanes bill is of divers sorts but few of them of any esteem the chiefest of them are the knobbed Cranes-bill that hath a root like a small Cyclamen bearing many single pale purple flowers the blew Cranes-bill and the white differ only in the colour of the flowers the blew and white striped Cranes-bill is like the two last only the flowers are variably spotted striped and parted with white and blew the purple Crow-foot Cranes-bill hath a great head of flowers which open by degrees and die at night the variable Cranes-bill is common it hath small flowers varied with small reddish veins upon white the sweet Cranes-bill hath flowers of a dark blackish purple colour the red Rose Cranes-bill hath flowers like a red Rose Campion these simple flowers are all exactly described by Mr. Parkinson they flower in April May and June and increase too fast but we have now an other more rare called Geranium nocte olens FOr that it smelleth sweet only in the night it hath a great root like a Paeony with large jagged leaves the flowers come forth in July with small and round pointed leaves of a purple colour listed about with yellow so as the purple seemeth but as a spot in the middle of every leaf these flowers stand on smooth stalks eight or ten on a head which in the night are as sweet as beautiful in the day the plant is tender and therefore set in a pot and governed in Winter as the Cardinals flower or housed and kept dry in Winter for any moisture rots the root CHAP. XXVII Helleborus HEllebor is of two sorts or kinds that is black and white and there are some lesser sorts called Helleborine that for the beauty of their flowers deserve mention we will begin with the black Hellebor vulgarly called the Christmas Rose but more properly Helleborus niger verus THe true black Hellebor from a root composed of divers long brown strings running deep into the ground and fastened to a big head springeth up many green leaves standing on big stiff foot-foot-stalks divided into eight or nine parts and nicked about the edges the flowers come forth in Winter upon such short fat foot-stalks in form like unto single white Roses at first white but by long standing turn to be of a blush-colour with a pale yellow thrum and a green head in the middle chiefly respected for the early flowring which is commonly about Christmas and therefore by many called the Winter or Christmas Rose there are some other sorts of black Hellebor but none of any beauty or esteem but this only Helleborus albus THe white Hellebor cometh up with a great round head of a whitish green colour opening it self into many beautiful large green leaves eminently plaited throughout and compassing each other at the bottome out of them the stalk riseth a yard
of this generation there are some whose flowers are of a Buff colour some yellower and some dunner than others these have been in good esteem and every Florist had his Leather-Coat many of which yet remain and retain the names of those that raised them as Tradescans Leather-Coat Lances Tuggies Turners Collins Lookers Humphries Meracows Mows Mullars Randolls and Rickets Beazar all several good kinds of Leather-Coats and I have raised a Leather-Coat my self from seeds that is not inferior to the best of those mentioned and there is one that on a short stalk beareth four or five double flowers with three rows of leaves in each flower Auriculo flore albo TThe white Auricula is of small variety and esteem the best is that called the Virgins milk this hath large mealy leaves a tall strong stalk with a great truss of milk-white flowers with snow-white eyes which placed among the purples sets off and adds to their glory there are some that are perfectly white and many milk-whites but few of them of any better esteem than the yellows We will now as others have done conclude this Chapter of Auricula with two other Plants that bear flowers something resembling them but neither are of that family or have any other relation thereunto yet fittest for this place as not deserving particular Chapters Auricula flore caeruleo folio Boraginis THe Burage-leaved blew Auricula hath rough hairy leaves spread on the ground like those of Burage but much lesser and rent in the sides in some places among which riseth up one two or more brown hairy-hairy-stalks five or six inches high each bearing at the top three or four flowers consisting of five leaves which are large sharp-pointed and of a fair rich blew colour with some small yellow threds in the middle the root is long and brownish with many small fibres annexed thereunto This Plant as it is rare so is it tender and impatient of our cold Winters and therefore requireth to be planted in a pot that it may be handled as the flos Cardinalis Cortusa Mathioli BEars-ears Sanicle as some call it springeth up with the leaves foulded which opening are fair and broad cut in divisions and nicked about the edges a little hairy and of a dark green colour on the uperside but whiter on the other from among the leaves riseth up one or two naked stalks five or six inches high bearing at the tops divers small flowers like in form to an Auricula but hanging down their heads and of a dark purple colour with a small white eye and some threds in the middle after the flowers are past the seeds succeed like that of the Auricula the root is composed of a thick tuft of small whitish strings fastened to a head which abideth in the ground all the Winter the leaves perishing and renewing at the Spring This Plant is commonly raised from seeds set in a pot and ordered as in the last in Winter both this and the former flower with the Auricula or a little after them All the several sorts of Auricula do flower in April or the beginning of May and sometimes they will flower again in the end of August or beginning of September but those flowers that come then are neither so fair nor so many on one stalk as those of the Spring The Bears-ears must be planted in some place that is a little shaded from the scorching heat of the Sun the soil made very rich if stiff with sand store of well rotted Neats-dung therein the roots set a foot asunder for they spread wide and will not thrive if they want room the best way to set them is to open a wide hole leaving or raising a little hill in the middest thereof then set the root thereupon and spread the fibres round about it lastly cover and water them After the middle of August every other year take them up and then mend the soil where they grew with sifted Neats-dung and having slipped and parted the roots and cut off those fibres that are too long set them in the same place again by this means you shall not fail to have them thrive and bear store of flowers but if you let them stand too long unremoved or in poor or stiff ground you must expect the contrary The best sorts of Auricula are set in pots which they will well deserve fill the pots almost half full with sifted Neats-dung the rest with good sandy earth well mixed with such sifted dung and about the end of August set the Plants therein but not too deep for the roots will be apt enough to draw downwards place these pots in the Sun all the Winter and with Glasses defend them from over much wet but do not house them for they will do better in the open Air. At the Spring when they rise to flower remove them into a place more shaded and after the flowers are past except those you leave to seed you may dispose in some shady place out of the way to make room for pots with Gilliflowers The raising varieties of them from seeds is a secret wherewith few are well acquainted and it is to be performed with something more than common diligence according to the rules following After the flowers are past and the stalks begin to grow yellow you may observe in the top of that little round seed-vessel a small hole and then you may be assured the seed is almost ripe and if you do not carefully look to it will be all shed before you are aware therefore as soon as you perceive it to be ready cut down the stalks keeping the tops upright for if you turn them downwards all the best seeds will fall out then binde them in bundles and place them upright to the Glass of some South Window where by some benefit they will receive from the Sun they will harden and be much the better towards the end of August or beginning of September prepare some square box or boxes according to your store of seeds that are nine or ten inches deep and of what breadth you please with some holes in the bottom to let out water which fill three parts full with fine sandy sifted earth one half thereof being well rotted Neats dung which mingled well together and laid smooth with your Trowel lay thereon a fingers thickness of fine sifted Willow earth or for want thereof dried Cow-dung beaten small mingled with a little good earth and sifted and sow your seeds thereon mingled with Wood-ashes which by their colour will direct you to sow them the more suitably they must not be sowed too thin for all will not come up if they do they may easily be removed to another place after the seeds are thus sowed cover them half a finger thick with the same you put next under them which press down lightly and let them remain in the Sun and Air untill they begin to come up which will be about April and then they
the seeds are sowed in good rich earth in April in the Flower-Nurcery and in September after removed into the Garden CHAP. VI. Carduus THistles as noysome Weeds are more usually cast out than as delightful flowers received into Gardens yet there are some sorts that may be accepted and the chiefest among these seedlings inserted Carduus Globosus major THe greater Globe-Thistle hath many large leaves lying on the ground cut in and gashed to the middle ribb full of sharp prickles the stalk riseth above a yard high divided into branches bearing great round hard heads thick set with sharp-bearded husks of a blewish green colour out of the husks come forth pale blew flowers spreading over the whole head a braver thistle never beautified a Scots Bonet after the flowers are past the seeds are contained in the husks which must be preserved for the old Plant dieth in Winter Carduus Globosus minor THe lesser Globe-Thistle hath leaves like the former but lesser and whiter the stalk and head of flowers not so bigg the root more durable commonly lasting three or four years bearing flowers These flower usually in August and sometimes later being sowed of seeds they will come to bear flowers the second year There are some other sorts of Thistles which in general collections are received into Gardens but none of them fit for our purpose CHAP. VII Scabiosa SCabious is a Plant well known especially those sorts thereof which carry blew flowers and grow wild in the fields but there are other kinds of Scabious which as well for the beauty of their flowers as being Foreiners find friendly entertainment from all that delight in seedlings but first take one of our own Country to usher in the other strangers Scabiosa flore albo WHite flowered Scabious hath many jagged green leaves like that of the field but lesser bearing stalks and flowers of the same fashion onely differing in colour the flowers of this being white this hath been found wild in the fields and thence for the rarity brought into Gardens Scabiosa rubra Austriaca REd Scabious of Austria in leaves resembleth the Devils bit but shorter and onely snipt about the edges the flowers are of the fashion of those of other kinds in one of a deep red colour and in another of a fine bright purplish red the seeds are a little long and round set with hairs at the ends Scabiosa rubra Indica REd Indian Scabious hath many jagged green leaves lying on the ground from whence rise up divers stalks divided into several branches bearing flowers like those of the former but of various colours some being deep crimson others murrey purple in both some deeper and others paler and some will have the outer leaves of a deeper or lighter murrey and the middle of the flower almost white we have some that bear their flowers like the Childling Daysie many smaller coming out on long foot-stalks of the sides of one larger flower and many other diversities are observed to proceed from the seeds of this kind which are yearly sowed for the Plant commonly dyeth after it hath given seeds yet if it stand in a warm place and the Winters prove milde some Plants will last and bear flowers two or three years The two first flower about July the other if they bear the first year they are sowed it will be late in September so that then from such Plants little good seed can be expected but the best way to be sure of good seeds is about the beginning of June to remove the young Plants to keep them back from running up to flower the first year which will cause them to bring their flowers sooner the next and so have time to ripen the seeds from which being sowed in April many more varieties may be raised than are before described especially from the flowers that are of the lightest and most mixed colours the which are chiefly to be reserved for that purpose CHAP. VIII Cyanus COrn-flower or Blew-bottles are common in every corn-field especially those with blew flowers of which kind many diversities are raised from seeds differing in colour for some of them will be blew like that of the field other white blush sadder or lighter purple brighter or darker red or else of these colours mixed as edges white the rest blew or purple or the flower white edged with blew or purple in some striped spotted or divided half the flower of one colour and the other of another and often the middle of the flower of a sadder and deeper colour than the rest After the flowers are past the scaly heads contain wrapped in downy matter small hard white shining seeds which must be preserved and sowed at the Spring for the roots yearly perish There is another sort more rare than any of the former called the Sultans flower the seeds are smaller and blacker than those of the former the plants bigger in all the parts thereof the flowers are larger and of a purplish blush-colour in one and in another Snow-white more beautiful than any of the former the roots yearly perish and the seeds not very apt to come up or the Plant to prosper but requireth to be often watered and to be nursed up in a hot bed We have another called the Spanish Corn-flower which rambles and takes up more ground than can well be spared for so poor a Plant the flowers are of a pale purplish blush-colour but not so fair nor beautiful as the last this seeds and yearly dies as the rest doe The first kind flower in June and July the two last not untill August the Sultans flower is of some esteem but the rest are little valued yet by such as want better things entertained We have another Plant which Mr. Parkinson in his florilege sets forth by the name of Jacea marina Baetica Spanish sea Knabweed then rare with him but now common in almost every Garden and is no other than that rambling lasting Plant vulgarly called the great Cyanus or Blew-bottle Carthamus Sativus bastard Saffron is an annual yearly raised from seeds it hath broad green leaves a round hard stalk branched at the top and each branch bearing one great scaly head out of which cometh a tuft of shining gold-coloured threds which keep that colour though gathered a long time the seed is round and long white and hard but seldome ripens with us and the root yearly dies the seeds come to us from Spain where much is planted for the use of the dyers of silk CHAP. IX Amaranthus FLower Gentle is chiefly of two sorts the greater and the lesser of the first there are some diversities but many more and better of the latter of which there hath lately been observed twenty five varieties all in flower together but first of that best known Amaranthus purpureus major THe great Floramour hath a thick and tall crested stalk with many reddish large green leaves the stalk divided into many branches bearing long spikes of round
like Purslane bunched and set with leaves like those of the Peach-tree about the stalk from the middle upwards come the flowers on short foot-stalks which are of two or three shadows of purples with spurs behind like single Larks-heels but bended downwards these flowers are succeeded by round rough heads pointed at the end wherein is contained small round blackish seeds the root dies at the first approch of Winter The flowers come forth in July and August and rarely yield any good seeds in our Countrey the Plant is tender and must be sowed in a hot bed and remov'd into good ground and carefully attended with watering in the heat of Somer else it will quickly perish CHAP. XI Blattaria MUllen or Moth Mullen hath some diversities that are commonly raised from seeds whose roots perish in Winter but there are others that will continue many years and yield increase from the root the first of which is that called Blattaria flore purpureo THe purple Moth Mullen hath dark green broad leaves lying on the ground from among which riseth up a stalk a yard high bearing from the middle to the top many fair purple flowers consisting of five leaves with some threds in the middle the root is long and brown abiding many years and increasing of this kind there is another that beareth flowers of a Violet blew colour in other respects not differing Blattaria lutea odorata SWeet yellow Moth Mullen hath leaves of a grayer green colour than those of the former the stalk riseth about a yard high divided into branches bearing pale yellow flowers of the fashion of the other but smaller and of an excellent sweet scent the root abiding as well as the former Blattaria flore luteomajor THe great yellow Moth Mullen hath larger and greener leaves than any of the former the stalk four foot high bearing many fair yellow flowers broader and larger than those of the purple which are succeeded by round buttons containing seeds the root perisheth in Winter after it hath born flowers and seeds Like unto this kind there is a newer variety differing only in that the flowers are betwixt red and yellow but more red than yellow and abiding the Winter Blattaria flore albo WHite Moth Mullen differeth from the great yellow in that the flowers are not all thing so broad and of a fair white colour with purple threds in the middle the root perishing in the same manner The two first flower in the beginning of May the rest in June These are plants of little reputation those whose roots continue are the best they may be increased by parting the roots or raised from seeds and will bear flowers the second year The great yellow and the white are raised of seeds only the root not lasting like those of the three other sorts CHAP. XII Papaver Multiplex DOuble Poppies are become the common ornaments of the Kitchen-Garden and are so well known that they need no description the colours of the flowers are red purple Scarlet Lead-colour white or blush and of these many varieties some deeper and others lighter there is one that beareth small but very double flowers every leaf whereof is half white and half red and another of a fine Scarlet colour striped with white besides these the small double rich Scarlet which differeth onely from the single field Popy in the doubleness of the flowers is of some esteem but the rarest of all the rest is one lately discovered differing onely from the last in that the flowers are of a fine Gold yellow colour They flower in June and yield store of seeds which falling of themselves or gathered and sowed in the Spring will come up and prosper in any place the party-coloured red the striped Scarlet the small double Scarlet and especially the yellow are those most esteemed CHAP. XIII Nigella THe Fennel-flower hath some few varieties whose seeds are preserved and yearly sowed in Gardens the Plant is so common and well known that it needeth little description the first is that single kind called Nigella Hispanica SPanish Nigella hath leaves like Fennel the flowers are single consisting of five larger leaves than those of the other sorts commonly of a bleak blew colour with a green head in the middle compased about with little gaping hollow leaves and a yellow line after the flowers are past the head grows bigger with a crown on the top spread like a Star the seeds are round and of a yellowish green colour Nigella flore duplici THe double Nigella hath leaves like the former the flowers consisting of three or four rows of smaller leaves one lying under another of a pale blew colour in one and white in another the seeds are black contained in round heads They flower in the end of June or beginning of July and are yearly raised from seeds which sowed in the Spring are apt to come up and require small attendance CHAP. XIV Crysanthemum COrn-Marigold is an annual scarce worth the sowing some retain two sorts that is Crysanthimum Creticum the Corn-Marigold of Candy which is a simple single pale yellow flower and Crysanthimum Peruvianum the Corn-Marigold of Peru which is that great Monster we call the Flower of the Sun of which there are two sorts the one bearing round and the other Oval yellow flowers heretofore admired but now grown common not at all respected Calendula flore plena DOuble Garden-Marigolds are yearly sowed of seeds in Kitchen-Gardens there is one kind thereof that beareth fair large double flowers far excelling the other common kinds After Atticus flore luteo YEllow Star-wort hath rough leaves of a dark green colour the stalk divided into branches bearing at the ends five or six green leaves standing round like a Star with a flower in the middle consisting of narrow long pale yellow leaves compassing a yellowish brown thrum these flowers appear in June and as soon as the seeds are ripe the root dies we have another which we call After Atticus Italorum the Italian Star-flower commonly called the blew Marigold which will continue many years and yield increase from the root it flowereth late seldom before September and the flowers like those of a single Marigold but of a purplish blew colour with a yellowish brown thrum in the middle Flos Africanus THe African or French Marigold and the varieties thereof are well known to most persons that delight in flowers there are three principal kinds and of them some that bear single others double flowers some deeper and others paler but the best of them is that called Flos Africanus maximus multiplex THe greatest double African or French Marigold hath many winged leaves like those of the Ash finely purled about the edges and of a dark green colour the stalk riseth commonly a yard high towards the top divided into branches set with green leaves and each branch bearing one large double flower consisting of a multitude of leaves of a fair gold-yellow colour on the upper side and
next to follow and so may serve as a Bridge to pass from the one unto the other CHAP. XXI Abies THe Firre-tree is of too tall a growth to be planted in Gardens and so is the Pine they are both raised from the Nuts or Kernels and grow slowly with us and fit onely to be planted in spacious Orchards or on each side broad Walks but there are several other Greens that are proper to be placed in Gardens the which require to be more fully described the first and biggest of those usually planted in Gardens is called Arbor vitae THe Tree of Life by long standing groweth as big as a Mans leg with many branches hanging downwards and set with winged leaves something like those of Savin but flatter and platted like a Lace of a fair green colour in Somer but dark and brown in Winter of a strong resinous scent to some not unpleasant in May on the tops of the branches are many small downy yellowish flowers standing in small scaly heads wherein lie small long brownish seeds which in some places ripen with us and being sowed spring and prosper reasonably well but the Plant is so apt to root in Layers that the Seeds are seldom sowen Cupressus THe Cypress-tree that is now common in every Garden of any note groweth in time to a tall Tree not spreading but standing upright in a Pyramidical form broadest below and narrower to the top the Leaves if they may be so called being ever green small long and flat wholly cover the stalks some old Plants will bear Nuts as they are called of a russet or brown colour containing many small brown Seeds which sowed especially those that we have from hotter Countries will come up and thrive very well they must be sowed in October and defended from Frosts in Winter whiles the Plants are young and tender Vermicularis frutex major THe greater Tree Stone-crop riseth up like a small Tree upright full of twigs and branches thick set on all sides with small round sharp-pointed leaves something like those of Prick-madam but lesser and shorter and of a dark green colour abiding all the Winter without falling the flowers come forth in August of a yellowish green colour this Plant is preserved in some good Gardens for its beauty and rarity and is increased by Layers or Cuttings set in the beginning of March shaded and watered in dry seasons Ilex Arbor THe ever-green Oak groweth slowly and with us in few places seen other than as a small Tree spreading in branches set with small hard green leaves indented about the edges and a little prickly which abide all the Winter in the Spring it beareth small yellowish mossy flowers and in some places small blackish Acorns from which young Plants may be raised but most usually by laying down the branches Agrifolium HOlly is a common Hedge-tree yet there is an elegant kind thereof entertained in Gardens for that the ever-green shining leaves are variously marked with Gold-yellow and so continuing constantly from year to year it is aptly increased by Layers and capable of any form Buxus BOx is of four sorts the first is our common English kind well known unto all of which there is another elegant variety that hath every leaf thereof edged and compassed about with yellow this is called Buxus Auratus or Gilded Box the third is a low and dwarf kind whose leaves are much smaller than the former and of this there is also a Gilded kind much more beautiful than the other the ordinary serveth fitly to border large open Frets for flowers as the common English kind those of a spacious Fruit-garden as also for Hedges All these kinds of Box are easily raised for every Slip thereof set in March will take root the first year and spring the next Pyracantha THe ever-green Hawthorn if suffered to grow at large riseth up six or more foot high full of branches set with ever-green leaves snipt about the edges and long sharp thorns the flowers come forth in the Spring many clustering together like those of Hawthorn as the Berries are which succeed but more in number on one branch of the colour of Coral and abiding if kept from Birds the greatest part of Winter the Plant is increased by Suckers Layers or by sowing the Berries which like those of common Hawthorn will lie in the ground a whole year before they come up this Green serveth with others to make an ever-green Hedge Celastrus THe Staf-tree as Mr. Parkinson calls it by long standing in an open place groweth to a reasonable tall Tree but commonly in a Hedge-bush the Leaves which fall not away in Winter are something like those of Laurus tinus but of a fairer though sad green colour it beareth on a small stalk four or five yellowish green Flowers which turn into small Berries like black Cherries containing a stone with a kernel this Plant is chiefly increased by Layers and the best use that can be made of it is to mix with Pyracantha for the making of an ever-green Hedge Alaternus THe ever-green Privet or as it is commonly called Alaternus never riseth high but groweth low in a thick Bush full of branches set with small hard ever-green leaves round and indented about the edges the Flowers come forth at the joynts many together which are small and white succeeded by small black Berries containing many Seeds by which as also by laying the Branches this fine Plant may easily be increased Those that affect Hedges in their Gardens cannot make choice of any fitter for the purpose than this and the next that followeth in respect of their aptness to be formed and confined by Laths or Rods to any proportion abiding to be sheared and all the year retaining their incomparable verdure Phyllirea Mock-Privet is of several sorts but that here intended is the first of Clusius and from his description set out by Mr. Johnson In France this fine Green is much used in Palisade tall ever-green Hedges and to adorn the Walls of Courts it groweth well with us and much higher than Alaternus the Leaves longer more cut in on the edges and of a fresher green colour the Flowers are small many together and of a greenish yellow colour succeeded by small black Berries wherein the Seed is contained which sowed in October and defended from long hard Frosts in Winter will come up at the Spring and soon furnish Plants to make an ever-green Hedge for which purpose this and the last are the chiefest except that excellent kind called Phyllirea folio leviter serrato which hath deep ever-green leaves lightly cut in on the edges and thicker set on the branches vigorously enduring the Winter and aptly reducible into any form but very hard to be increased either by Seeds or Layers as Mr. Bobert the ingenious Keeper of the publick Garden in Oxford hath experimented by many trials Laurus THe Bay-tree especially this common kind is so well known that it were superfluous to describe
either by inoculating the buds of them in other stocks or by laying down the branches in the earth the best stocks to be inoculated upon are the Damask the White the Francford and the wilde Eglentine the best time about Midsomer or as soon as good buds can begotten All stocks of budded Roses must be carefully kept from Suckers and if the Buds be placed near the ground after one years growth the budded lance may be laid in the earth to root whereby it will become a natural Tree one of which is more worth than three that are budded for that every Sucker that comes from them will be of the same kind whereby they may be increased but all Roses are not apt to yield Suckers and therefore the speediest and most certain way is to lay down the branches putting some old well rotted Dung about the place where they are laid which will make them root the sooner All Roses are hardy enough and will endure the Frosts in Winter and the better the soil is you set them in the better they will thrive and the fairer will be the flowers they are usually disposed up and down the Garden in bushes and under walls and set in rows or hedges supported and kept in on either side the several-coloured Roses intermixed and well placed blowing together will make a most gallant and glorious prospect After they have done bearing they must be cut with the Garden-shears something near and toward the Spring each branch cut again with a knife close to a leaf-bud and what is dead or superfluous taken away Now there are some Roses that are not fit to be planted in a hedge as the Musk Roses which will not bear at all unless they grow to some high wall or house-side where they may have liberty to grow to their full height which will be commonly eight or nine foot high also the double yellow which is the most unapt of all others to bear kindly and fair flowers unless it be ordered and looked unto in an especial manner for whereas all other Roses are best natural this is best inoculated upon another stock others thrive and bear best in the Sun this in the shade therefore the best way that I know to cause this Rose to bring forth fair and kindly flowers is performed after this manner First in the stock of a Francford Rose near the ground put in a Bud of the single yellow Rose which will quickly shoot to a good length then half a yard higher than the place where the same was budded put into it a Bud of the double yellow Rose which growing the Suckers must be kept from the Root and all the Buds rubbed off except those of the kind desired which being grown big enough to bear which will be in two years it must in Winter be pruned very near cutting off all the small Shoots and onely leaving the biggest cutting off the tops of them also as far as they are small then in the Spring when the Buds for leaves come forth rub off the smallest of them leaving onely some few of the biggest which by reason of the strength of the stock affording more nourishment than any other and the agreeable nature of the single yellow Rose from whence it is immediately nourished the Shoots will be strong and able to bear out the flowers if they be not too many which may be prevented by nipping off the smallest Buds for flowers leaving onely such a number of the fairest as the Tree may be able to bring to perfection which Tree would stand something shadowed and not too much in the heat of the Sun and in a standard by it self rather than under a wall These Rules being observed we may expect to enjoy the full delight of these beautiful Roses as I my self have often done by my own practice in divers Trees so handled which have yearly born store of fair flowers when those that were natural notwithstanding all the helps I could use have not brought forth one that was kindly but all of them either broken or as it were blasted Tell me what flow'r kind Nature doth disclose May be compared to the lovely Rose Whose Beauty Virtue Scent and Colours are In Life in Death in Bud and Blossom rare And if one kind these graces all comprise What then in thirty choice varieties Friend muse no more nor reckon what else rare Since all conclude the Rose without compare But wing thy thoughts to mount three stories higher Up to his Throne that thus adorn'd the Briar And now after this long walk it will be time to retire where we may sit in some shady Bower and behold the several flower-bearing and climbing woody Plants wherewith the same is covered and adorned which with others of like nature but more rarity shall be the subjects of our next discourse CHAP. V. HAving done with so many of the flower-bearing Trees and Shrubs as we intended for this place we will treat of some other woody flower-bearing Plants that being Climbers serve conveniently to cover Somer-bowers and first we will begin with the Jasmines whereof there are divers excellent varieties most of them peculiar to such Countries where the benignity of the Air and fertility of the Soil is agreeable with such delicate and tender Constitutions and although we cannot expect such rare Plants to prosper in our cold Country yet there are some of this kind contented to live with us with which and some others more tender together with Wood-binds and Virgins-bower this Chapter will acquaint you and first with the most common Jasminum album THe white Jasmine hath divers green flexible branches that come forth of the bigger boughs which proceed from the root set with winged leaves of a dark green colour standing two together at the joynts made of many small-pointed leaves set on each side of a middle rib usually three on a side and one bigger and more pointed at the end at the tops of the young branches divers flowers come forth together in a tuft each on a long foot-stalk which are small long and hollow opening into fine white-pointed leaves and of a strong sweet scent which with us fall away without bringing seed Jasminum Catalonicum THe Catalonian or Spanish Jasmine riseth not half so high as the former the branches and green leaves are like but larger and shorter the flowers are of the same fashion but much bigger and before they are open of a blush colour and after white with blush edges more sweet than those of the former Jasminum Hispanicum multiplex THe double Spanish Jasmine is in the manner of growing like unto the last the greatest difference is in the flowers which of this are white like the first but bigger and double consisting of two rows of leaves with some smaller coming forth of the middle or hollow bosoms of the flowers which are as sweet as those of the former Jasminum luteum THe yellow Jasmine hath many long slender woody branches
of Canada and that of Virginia both which are very tender and unapt to thrive or live at all in our Country the roots of all the other hold their Fibres and therefore do not affect to be often removed which when there is occasion to do the best time is as soon as the stalks are fully dry for then they will have fewest Fibres these scaly roots must be set reasonable deep four or five inches over the head in the earth which every other year should be opened down to the bottoms of them not hurting or stirring any of the Fibres and all the off-sets and young roots taken away the mother root only left unto which some richer earth may be then conveniently put before it be covered by this means the flowers of the old root will be fairer and many more on one stalk the ground not pestered and new Plants gained As for these tender Martagons of Canada and Virginia they will not endure to stand abroad but must be planted in the richest and hotest earth can be gotten in Boxes or large Pots and set in some Seller in the Winter where they may not Freez CHAP. VIII Fritillaria THe Fritillary and the varieties thereof are next to be described the which may be divided into two distinct kinds the first those with small roots sharp-pointed green leaves and large flowers and the other with bigger roots round pointed whiter green leaves and different fashioned smaller flowers of each kinde there are several sorts and diversities we will begin with the first and first of that best known Fritillaria vulgaris THe common checquered Fritillary hath a small round white root made of two pieces as if it were cleft in the midst out of which cleft the stalk springeth a foot high or more with some few leaves thereon dispersed at the top thereof out of a tuft of four or five hollow long green sharp-pointed leaves cometh the flower hanging down the head like to that of the ordinary Crown Imperial consisting of six leaves of a sullen reddish purple colour checquered with a deeper purple the inside of the flower is of a brighter colour than the outside with a stile and six chives tipt with yellow pendents after the flower is fallen the stile which is the seed-vessel standeth upright and containeth flat gristly seeds like unto that of a Tulip but lesser The old roots of this sort will bring two and three flowers on one stalk and the seeds diversities some paler and some brighter than others and some flowering in March a moneth before others Fritillaria flore duplici albicante THe double blush Fritillary is in all the parts thereof like the former onely the flower is double consisting of twelve leaves or more of a pale purple or blush colour spotted as the other this is not accidental but natural and is constantly double Fritillaria alba THe white Fritillary differeth chiefly from the first in that the leaves and stalk are greener and the flower white the seeds of this being sowed bringeth varieties some flowering a moneth before others some bearing larger flowers and some two on one stalk Fritillaria flore luteo THe yellow Fritillary is in all things like the last onely the flower of this on the outside as well as inside is of a perfect yellow colour Fritillaria flore atro rubente THe dark red Fritillary hath green leaves whiter broader and shorter than the former the flower is larger of a dusky red colour on the outside and bloud-red on the inside which falls away sooner than those of the other sorts and this is that the Walloons have lately brought over which they call the black Fritillary a flower of small beauty and less continuance Fritillaria maxima rubra THe great red Fritillary is in all the parts thereof like unto the last described but bigger the flowers also are larger of a dark red colour usually two or three upon one stalk a much better flower than the last but almost as soon decaying These are the varieties of the first kind of Fritillaries and now we will proceed to describe those of the other sort Fritillaria flore luteo major THe greater yellow Fritillary hath a bigger and broader root than any of the former the leaves are broader shorter and round-pointed the stalk about two foot high and of a whiter green colour than those of the former the flower is long small and of a faint yellow colour Fritillaria flore luteo punctato THe spotted yellow Fritillary hath round-pointed whitish green leaves like the last the flower is bigger and longer than any of the former of a pale yellow colour diversly spotted and checquered which addeth much to the beauty thereof Fritillaria lutea maxima Italica THe great yellow Italian Fritillary hath darker green leaves than the former the flower longer and of a dark yellowish purple colour spotted with small red checquers this is that which hath been lately brought unto us out of Flanders by the name of the Isabella-coloured Fritillary Fritillaria Italica flore luteo viridi THe small Italian yellowish green Fritillary is like the last but smaller the flowers are small and long two or three on one stalk and turn up the brims of the leaves which are of a yellowish green colour spotted with purple little respected for that the smell thereof is very offensive Fritillaria angustifolia exotica viridi albicante multiplex THe exotick narrow-leaved Fritillary with a whitish green double flower is of more rarity than the former it hath a tall stalk narrow green leaves and a large short double flower of a fullen whitish green colour Fritillaria lutea juncifolia Lusitanica THe small yellow Fritillary of Portugal hath smaller and shorter round-pointed leaves than any of the former the flower is also small of a yellow colour more spotted and checquered than any of the yellow Fritillaries Fritillaria Pyrenaea THe black Fritillary is in all things like the yellowish green but that the stalk and flowers are shorter than those of the last and of a dark sullen blackish green colour Fritillaria Hispanica umbellifera The Spanish black Fritillary only differeth from the last in that it is bigger and beareth four or five flowers hanging round about the stalk like those of the Crown Imperial The early kinds of Fritillaries do flower about the end of March or beginning of April the other after those are past for the space of a moneth one after another the great yellow is the last whose time of flowering is in the end of May. The roots lose their fibres as soon as the stalks are dry and may then or any time before the middle of August be taken up and kept dry for some time but if taken up too soon or kept too long out of ground will either perish or be much weakened thereby therefore take them not up before the middle of July nor keep them out of the ground after the beginning of August they may be set
the Spring grow to be large long and green three or four standing upon a short round weak green foot-foot-stalk in the middle of the leaves the seed-vessel appeareth containing round brown seeds the root is something like unto that of the Tulip but commonly bigger and having that eminence at the bottom standing out very long from whence many fibres shoot into the ground Colchicum variegatum THe varigated Meadow-Saffron differeth from the last in that the Flowers rise higher and are striped with a deeper purple upon a pale blush ground throughout every leaf thereof which are longer than those of the former and not so round-pointed in the roots and leaves there is no material difference Colchicum atropurpureum variegatum THe dark purple striped Meadow-Saffron differeth from the other in that the Flowers at their first appearing are of a pale blush-colour with small and sharped-pointed leaves which after a little time become striped and garded with a dark sad purple Colchicum variegatum dictum Agrippina THe variegated Meadow-Saffron commonly called Agripina is of later discovery and more rarity than any of the former the difference chiefly consisting in the colour and marking of the Flowers which in this are white and red penached like a Tulip Colchicum fritillaricum Ne apolitanum THe checkered Meadow-Saffron of Naples hath larger and deeper purplish red Flowers and more eminently checkered like Fritillary than any other of that sort except the next whereof there is some diversity but this is the best the root and green leaves differ very little from those of the former Colchicum fritillaricum Chiense THe checkered Meadow-Saffron of Chio bringeth forth late in Autum small but beautiful Flowers of a pale purple colour thick spotted and checkered with blewish purple the green leaves come up in the Spring which are much smaller than any of the other commonly three in number of a fresh green colour lying on the ground twining and folding the edges the root is like those of the other but smaller and more tender Colchicum flore pleno THe double Meadow-Saffron is like the common English kind that grows plentifully in divers moist Meadows onely the Flowers of this are double containing many leaves of the same pale purplish colour with some chives tipt with yellow pendents among them Colchicum flore pleno purpureo THe double purple Meadow-Saffron differeth from the former in that the Flowers are smaller the leaves of them sharper pointed and of deeper purplish red colour Colchicum variegatum flore pleno THe double varigated Meadow-Saffron is like the first double kind onely some of the leaves of the double Flower will be striped and garded with white upon the pale blush ground Colchicum maximum flore pleno THe greatest double Meadow-Saffron hath Flowers much bigger and doubler than any of the former containing very many round-pointed leaves of pale purplish blush-colour spreading open and forming a gallant double Flower far transcending any of the former double kinds The roots of the Colchicums being set about the end of August or beginning of September will suddainly put forth fibres and shortly after Flowers being the first blown from the time of the setting of the dry roots of all others although vulgarly accounted the last which are indeed the first that flower some of them in September others in October the first parti-coloured and that of Chio being commonly the last They are easily planted the roots losing their fibres which may be taken up as soon as the green leaves are dryed down and kept out of the ground untill the fore-mentioned time for their planting they affect a moist ground but being hardy will thrive and encrease in almost any soil onely that of Chio is tender and will not prosper unless it be planted in a warm place where it may have the comfort of the Sun and the benefit of shelter from Frosts wet and cold in Winter whereof it is very impatient I doubt not but other fine varieties may be raised by the sowing of the seeds of the best kinds the manner of handling them is the same with that of Tulips and other bulbous roots that lose their fibres CHAP. XVII Crocus SAffron is of divers sorts some flowering in the Spring and others in Autum whereof the true Saffron is a kind all the rest are onely entertained for the beauty of their Flowers which are of three principal colours white purple and yellow deeper and lighter bigger and smaller and some striped feathered or flamed as in the following descriptions is expressed and first of the white and the varieties thereof Crocus albus major THe great white Crocus riseth up with narrow long green leaves with a white line in the middest of them and as soon as these leaves appear out of the ground there cometh up in the middle of them covered with a thin white skin small low white Flowers composed of six leaves with some chives and a long Saffron pointell in the middle which never open but when the Sun shines warm upon them after the Flowers are past the green leaves grow longer and the seeds succeed which is small and round contained in a low three-square husk of a yellowish red colour the root is small round and flat covered with a russet coat there is a lesser of this kind that beareth very small white Flowers of little esteem Crocus Maesiacus THe white Crocus of Masia is like the last great white but bigger and bearing more Flowers from one root but not of so pure a white colour but rather inclining to yellow there is one of this kind with the bottom of the Flower and part of the stalk of a bright blew colour and there is another of a pure white colour with the bottom and stalk blew of the seeds whereof the next was raised Crocus plumatus pallidus THe pale feathered Crocus is something like the last white but larger and not so round pointed the stalk and bottom of the flower is blew like unto it the three outward leaves on the backs or outsides are all white or silver-colour and on the insides finely striped with bigger and smaller stripes of pale blewish purple the three inner leaves are striped with the same colour but smaller on both the sides thereof this is not so common as many of the other are and is indeed one of the best we have Crocus Episcopalis THe Bishops Crocus hath bigger roots and leaves than any of the former the flowers are longer and sharper-pointed than those of the last and variable in their colours sometimes they will be white finely striped with blew sometimes the three outer leaves will be blew and the other three silver-colour striped with blew and sometimes it will have three leaves white and the other three pale blew and all these diversities arising from one root and the increase thereof Crocus Imperialis THe Imperial Crocus hath many flowers rising from one root which are of a silver colour striped on the backs of the leaves with purple