Forty-eight species. Hardy herbaceous. Division and cuttings. Rich loam. P. Drummondi is one of the prettiest of the genus, and its culture is thus detailed by Dr. Lindley: -

"The seeds should be sown about the end of March, in pots filled with light sandy soil, and placed on a moderate hot-bed, or in a cucumber or a melon frame. In this situation they will soon germinate; and before the first rough leaf appears they should be potted off, three or four together in a large sixty pot, placing the plants at equal distances round the side. When potted, they should be returned to the frame, and kept close for a few days, to recover from the effects of their removal; after which they should be gradually hardened off, by giving them plenty of air during the day in fine weather. Finally, about the beginning of May, they should be removed to a cold pit or frame, where they can be fully exposed during the day, covering them with the lights only at night, and in bad or cold weather. About the end of May, when all danger of late spring frost is over, they may be planted in the open border. The soil into which they are transferred should be either a light rich sandy soil or peat, with which a little well-rotted dung has been mixed. The plants will require to have a little water once or twice after they are planted, especially if the weather is dry at the time; but it is advisable not to water them after they are once well established.

The chief causes of failure are, sowing the seeds too soon, or allowing the plants to get vcry dry, or pot-bound, before they are planted out. If once they become stunted, they will never make good plants; and the same may be said of those which have been kept in too warm a place." - Card. Chron. It may be had in perfection from seed sown on a rich border, latter end of spring, and cultivated without transplanting.