Agrostemma
(from agros, a field, and stemma, a crown; alluding to the beauty of the flowers, which were formerly made into crowns or garlands). Rose Campion. ORD. Caryophylleae. Hardy evergreen perennials and annuals, with broadish leaves, and one-flowered peduncles. Of easy culture, and well adapted for borders. They will all grow freely in common garden soil. Increased by division of the roots, and seed. A. coeli-rosa, and A. flos-Jovis are, perhaps, species of Lychnis, but the generic name which we have adopted is the most common one. All the species of this genus are exceedingly pretty free-flowering plants, and both annuals and perennials are well worth growing. A. coeli-rosa (rose of Heaven).* fl. delicate rose, white, or bright purple, solitary, terminal, Summer. Levant, & c., 1713. An annual species about 1ft. high, not tomentose; should be grown in patches. Sow the seed in April. A. c.-r. fimbriata (fimbriate). A form having fimbriated petals Known also as nana. h. 9in.
A. c.-r. purpurea (purple).* A very pretty form, having dark purple flowers, and compact habit.
A. coronaria (crowned).* fl. white, with the middle red; petals emarginate, crowned, serrated; peduncles elongated, one-flowered. July. l. lanceolate, very broad, leathery; plant woolly throughout. h. 1ft. to 2ft. South Europe, 1596. This species is admirably adapted for naturalising on dry hill sides, and in the wild garden. There are several varieties seen in gardens with a great diversity of colour, including dark crimson, white, and sometimes double flowers.
A. flos-Jovis.* Flower of Jove. fl. purple or scarlet, in umbellate heads; peduncles short, rather branched. July. l. lanceolate. stem-clasping, silky, tomentose. h. 1 1/2ft. Switzerland, 1726. Plant white from tomentum.