This pretty plant is a native of Spain, and some other
parts of the South of Europe, and is readily distinguished
from all others by its very large pyramidal
calyx and small capsules; it is often confused with
C. laxus in the nurseries; but a comparison of our
figures will readily distinguish them. The present
plant is hardy enough to bear our Winters in the open
borders without protection, except very severe ones,
when a mat placed round it will preserve it well; but
this is very seldom needed : when grown in the ground
it is much more robust than the plant from which our
drawing was made, which was grown in a pot; it produces
a great profusion of flowers, which continue to
expand in succession for a considerable time.
Our drawing was taken at the Nursery of Messrs.
Whitley, Brames, and Milne, at Fulham, last Summer,
where we have also obtained drawings of many very
rare, and some quite new species: the present plant
thrives well in the common garden so il; or if grown
in pots, it succeeds best in a mixture of sandy loam
and peat. Young cuttings, planted under hand-glasses
in August or September, or any time between that and
the middle of February, will strike root freely; when
they are rooted, they must be managed as mentioned
under C. purpureus; young plants may also be raised
from seeds, which ripen plentifully.