CHAP. XXXIX.
Armerius.
SWeet Johns, and Sweet Williams, are of divers sorts, but few of them worthy the acceptance of a Florist; we will therefore pass by the common and ordinary kinds, and describe the best onely.
Armerius angustifolius.
SWeet Johns differ from Sweet Williams, in that the green leaves are narrower and the stalks shorter; the flowers like the Williams are many on a head, but deeper jagged. In some Plants the flowers are red in the middle, and paler towards the edges, in others white; and there are of both these sorts that bear double flowers, consisting of two or three rows of leaves, and these are esteemed onely.
Armerius latifolius.
SWeet Williams have broader and darker green leaves than the Johns, higher stalks, and bearing more flowers, some red, and others white; and there is one called London pride, with variable flowers, some red, others white specled with red more or less; and there is another that beareth double red flowers; with all which, ex∣cept the white, every Country-woman is well acquainted; but we have another more rare than any of these, called the Velvet Armerius, or Sweet William, which differeth chiefly from the other single kinds in the colour of the flowers, which in this are of a deep rich murrey velvet colour, with a paler circle towards the bottoms of the leaves, and this is the best of all the Williams.
They flower usually in June before the Pinks; the sowing their seeds is now much used, and some pretty varieties are raised; every slip of them set in the Spring will grow and abide the Winter; the double Johns, and the Velvet Williams, are worthy the acquaintance of the fairest Lady that is a lover of flowers, and those that have room may practice the sowing their seeds, and possibly may raise some fine diversities with double flowers.