260 TUE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



HOW TO GROW LAPAGERTAS. 



BY "WILLIAM COLE, 

 Head Q-ardener, Ealing Park, Middlesex, W. 



[ILTHOUGH less rampant in growth than the majority 

 of greenhouse climbers, there are none possessing more 

 value than our old friend Lapageria rosea, and its pure 

 white variety, known as Ijapageria alba. They are not 

 so well adapted for planting in dark corners or in out- 

 of-the-way places in conservatories as the passion-flower, as they 

 make but slow growth at first, and the young shoots, as they emerge 

 from the ground are in great danger of being eaten olf by snails, etc. 

 When, however, they are placed in a favourable position, and have 

 attained a considerable size, they are well able to take care of them- 

 selves, although it is good practice to watch for the young suckers 

 in spring, and adopt measures to keep the snails from them. They 

 also succeed admirably iu town conservatories, as is demonstrated 

 by the splendid specimens of both forms in the corridor in the 

 nurseries of Messrs. J. Veitch and Sons, at Chelsea. The position 

 in which they are planted is by no means favourable, yet they grow 

 freely, and bloom abundantly throughout the summer and far into 

 the autumn. 



The only difference in L. rosea and L. alia is the colour of the 

 flowers. Those of the former being a rich shade of rosy carmine, 

 whilst those of the latter are pure white. The former is now cheap, 

 good plants being obtainable for a few shillings ; but the smallest 

 plant of the latter, owing to its rarity, cannot be procured for less 

 than three guineas, and there appears to be some difficulty in meet- 

 ing the demand, even at that price. The propagation of Lapagerias 

 otherwise than by seed is very slow work, and the white variety 

 cannot be raised from seed the same as the other. It seeds freely, 

 but no dependence can be placed on the seedlings, as a very large 

 proportion will produce flowers of a rose colour. Therefore the trade 

 growers have to propagate by means of layers and cuttings, and 

 consequently the work of increasing the stock is carried on very 

 slowly. The rose-coloured foi-m can, on the other hand, be raised 

 freely from seed, and seedlings put under good management grow 

 away freely from the first. It is true the seedlings vary a little in the 

 quality of the flowers, but the diff"erence is so small, that it need 

 not occupy a moment's consideration. The flowers of both forms 

 are of immense value for head-dresses of natural flowers. They 

 .ave a very rich appearance, and from their waxy texture they suffer 

 less in a heated room than any other flower with which I am 

 acquainted, and there is no danger of their fading before the end of 

 the entertainment. 



In commencing the cultivation of Lapagerias, considerable 

 patience must of necessity be exercised, for the growth is slow 

 during the iirst two years or so, but afterwards they progre.-fs rapidly, 

 and soon cover a large space. It matters not whether they are grown 



