OCTOBER. 227 



NOTES ON NEW BEDDING-PLANTS. 



Allow me to direct attention to a few plants not commonly known, 

 which I consider are likely to become excellent for bedding purposes, 

 and which therefore every person who wants them in large quantities 

 will do well to commence with in time. The rage is evidently set- 

 ting in the direction of Pelargoniums for beds ; and I happen to know 

 that some superb things in that way are already preparing for the 

 market. 



Of Pelargoniums, undoubtedly the greatest novelty is Hendersonii, 

 a pure white flower of the scarlet section, which produces a good 

 truss, and plenty of them. It originated, I believe, on the continent, 

 at least Mr. C. P. Lochner of Paddington informs me that he brought 

 the same thing from France last season. The flower is of course 

 narrow in the petal, but sufiiciently broad to be effective, and as it 

 appears to be a free seeder, we look to it as the parent of some good 

 things. Mountain of Light (Lee's), though a deHcate, indeed very 

 shy plant in the winter, promises to form a fine bed ; the marking 

 of the foliage when vigorously grown is very distinct, and the colour 

 of the flower is also very rich. It also seeds freely, so that ample 

 room is afforded for those who are disposed to try their hands at 

 breeding bedding Pelargoniums. The Willmore Surprise, of which 

 such a strange story of its being crossed with a Hollyhock was circu- 

 lated two years back, though constant, is never likely to prove much 

 more than a curiosity, as it is a course-growing and shy-blooming 

 plant, — two serious disqualifications. The old Double Purple or 

 Copenhagen is very superior to it, and that, I think, will form one of 

 the best bedding-plants in cultivation. The truss is large, plenti- 

 fully produced, and well above the foliage, and the colour rich lilac- 

 purple. This plant also seeds freely, and may yet give us some- 

 thing better ; at any rate a more varied set of double flowers. The 

 Amazon, a new scarlet of the large trussing section, is only adapted 

 for large beds, and even then it is too much like Smith's Emperor 

 and Shrubland Scarlet to be of much interest to the flower-gardener. 

 For pyramids, as single specimens on lawns, or for training against 

 trellis-work, it will be found useful; but it is too coarse for bedding 

 purposes. Shrubland Pet, from which so much was anticipated, 

 proves to be an old friend under a new name, — one which we have 

 known for the last ten years. So far from its being a Shrubland 

 Seedling, I have reason to believe it to be an imported species or 

 hybrid. I have grown it under the name of Quercifolium atroroseum ; 

 it is known in Hertfordshire as Old Windsor, and in some of the 

 nurseries as Curata. If it is an English seedling at all, it most likely 

 originated between Moore's Victory and P. fulgidum or flexuosum ; 

 and as I am writing, I am told it was raised hy Mr. Dennis of the 

 King's Road, Chelsea, which is not at all improbable. It is a plant 

 of splendid habit, but upon rich soil not at all suitable for flower- 

 garden purposes. On poor sandy soil, or plunged in pots, or planted 

 in vases, and fully exposed to the sun, it blooms beautifully, and 



