JDLY. 193 



HEDAROMA (GENETYLLIS) TULIPIFERUM. 



(Plate 102.) 



Our plate this month furnishes an example of a handsome new 

 greenhouse shrub, a fine specimen of which was shown at a late 

 meeting of the Horticultural Society, in Regent-street, by the 

 Messrs. Backhouse, of York. It is closely related to the family 

 of Fringe Myrtles, which are beautiful little bushes, abounding in 

 many parts of New Holland, but in only very few instances 

 reaching the northern coast. In appearance it somewhat resembles 

 an Epacris, or perhaps more properly a Diosma, on whose branches 

 are hung large drooping bell-shaped tlowers — white, streaked with 

 reddish brown. An example of this plant was, we believe, brought 

 into notice a year or two ago by Messrs. Garraway, Mayes, and Co., 

 of Bristol, but it was not then thought much of, its ilowers being 

 dull and colourless. In Messrs. Backhouse's specimen, however, 

 from which our representation has been prepared, the colours were 

 beautifullv brouo-ht out, rendering: the Ilowers strikino; and hand- 

 some, and since that time this valuable little shrub has risen 

 rapidly in public estimation. 



As regards cultivation, we would treat it very much like a 

 Diosma. If we were to receive a young plant now, we should 

 first of all examine the state of its roots, and if requisite we should 

 give it a shift. That done, it should be placed in a tolerably close 

 frame or pit for a day or two till it got established, air being 

 admitted more plentifully by degrees, and when fully hardened, to 

 enable it to sustain exposure, it should be placed in a shady 

 position out of doors, such as the north side of a hedge. Here it 

 should be properly attended to with water, and in autumn 

 permitted to receive the full sun, in order that its wood may be 

 throroughly ripened. It should then, as winter approaches, be 

 removed to the greenhouse, where it should be wintered. Early next 

 summer, if the plant is large enough, it will probably flower when 

 its handsome blossoms forming, as they will, a striking contrast 

 with those of its associates, cannot fail to attract attention. It 

 has the best appearance grown in the form of a pyramid, with one 

 stick to the centre stem to support it. To over stake a plant like 

 this would be to destroy its beauty. This, like Eriostemons, 

 Epacrises, and all plants of that description, if properly managed, 

 requires little support, and in all such cases the fewer stakes 

 employed the better. For soil, take good peat, with a little silver 

 sand intermixed with it, and in certain cases perhaps a little loam 

 might be added to this mixture with advantage. 



NEW SERIES, VOL. V., NO. LV. 



