140 THE FLORIST. 



bedding plant should be ; and as good white bedding plants are so much 

 needed, it will be found a valuable addition. It is also a handsome 

 plant for conservatory decoration. Calceolaria Eclipse is the brightest- 

 coloured variety w^e have seen, having more of a scarlet colour than 

 any other ; and from what we saw of it last year, is a decided acqui- 

 sition in merit. Messrs. E. G. Henderson & Son have some new 

 shrubby varieties, but we have not seen them. 



In Verbenas, VVonderful is the most useful and novel variety of the 

 season. The colour is rich plum purple, with a very large clear white 

 centre, dwarf robust habit, large truss, and a first-rate variety for beds. 

 Blue Beard is really a blue Verbena — not a blue-purple, as we have 

 hitherto had. It makes a lovely bed, and is a good grower. Lady 

 Lacon, rose, with a large yellow centre, most compact erect habit, with 

 a well-formed truss, most valuable for bedding out. In the three 

 varieties above named, compactness of habit will be found, and we 

 regard this as a very desirable feature in bedding Verbenas. Of other 

 new ones, Commander-in-Chief, bright cerise with yellow eye; Em- 

 press of France, large pale rose ; Florence Nightingale, pink, large 

 yellow eye ; Rose of England, beautiful bright rosy pink, with large 

 yellow eye ; and Tyrian Prince, deep blue purple and a noble flower ; 

 will all be found valuable. There are still other new Verbenas that we 

 believe to be first-rate — such as Boule de Feu, bright orange scarlet, 

 lemon eye, and Violacea, an intense violet-coloured flower, in the way 

 of M. Paquin, but much better. Of Mrs. Woodroffe w^e can say but 

 little. A truss of this variety, as seen last year, was the most remark- 

 able we ever saw ; the colour deep scarlet, and each pip six- eighths of 

 an inch in diameter. It is evidently a seedling from Robinson's 

 Defiance, but with, we fear, a coarser habit. However, as it is sent 

 out at a very cheap rate, we should recommend purchasers to order it, 

 and give it a trial. 



If there are any other new bedding plants possessing more than 

 ordinary merit, that are not included in our remarks, it is because they 

 have not come under our notice. 



Of older varieties. Verbenas King of Scarlets and Purple King are 

 two valuable varieties ; Calceolaria Golden Cap, a dwarf, shrubby, 

 dull crimson, with a bright yellow cap, is very showy and attractive. 

 Golden Chain is also a good dwarf, shrubby yellow variety, growing 

 from the centre, as in Sulphurea splendens. Prince of Orange deserves 

 to be extensively cultivated. It is of very dwarf branching habit, 

 blooming very freely ; in colour dull orange, but makes a bright bed, 

 and stands the weather well. Wellington Hero is also one of the very 

 best yellows. In scarlet Geraniums with variegated foliage, Osborn's 

 Brilhant is a gem, a dense bloomer, and as scarlet as Tom Thumb, 

 with variegated foliage in the way of Mangles's Variegated. It is very 

 probably a splendid new variety, in the way of Flower of the Day, but 

 with much better foliage and rich scarlet flowers, will be sent out in the 

 autumn, if it proves what is anticipated. It is named Alma. 



Phlox General Radetsky will no doubt make a beautiful bed, as it is 

 a free-growing striped variety of Drummondi, but much brighter, in 

 colour than Mayi ; it is a very beautiful variety. Lantana Cameroni, 



