NOVEMBER. 327 



purposes, and for pot culture. For the latter purpose a great many are 

 almirably fitted, possessing, as they do, some most beautifiil shades of 

 colour. We see no reason why they should not be extensively grown 

 in pots, not as small pot plants but as good specimens, to keep up a 

 display in the conservatory late in the season. Too many are prone to 

 regard the Verbena as a bedding plant only ; and if all the varieties 

 are submitted to this process indiscriminately, great disappointments 

 must necessarily ensue, as none but decided colours are really service- 

 able for bedding purposes, because those varieties possessing more than 

 one shade of colour, such as Parfum ]\Iadehne and others, are apt to 

 run under the influence of rain or brilliant sunshine. Some of the 

 most distinct and best for bedding purposes are King of Scarlets 

 (Thompson's), brilhant orange scarlet, with a striking yellow eye, dwarf 

 habit, and a good grower. This variety is a valuable acquisition, the 

 colour being so brilliant, and it stands the weather Avell. In Orb of 

 Day, an older variety and but little known, we have an excellent 

 bedding variety, of dwarf, erect, close habit, not so robust and rambling 

 as Robinson's Defiance, and a different shade of scarlet. For a good 

 purple, none will be better than Purple King, good in colour, dwarf 

 compact habit, and a free bloomer. President is a rich deep purple, with 

 a clear white eye, very dwarf habit, very distinct and attractive. The 

 best blue will be Blue Beard. The colour is really blue, good truss, and 

 a most attractive and invaluable variety. A good blue has long been 

 wanted, most of the so-called blues being of a blue pur; k colour; now 

 we shall have a good blue and a good purple in Purple King. The best 

 white will be Eva — pure white, of good habit. Next in the same class, 

 America and Celina ]\Iallet will do very well. In crimsons, Rouge et 

 Noir, dark crimson with white eye, is the best we have seen. Ebloui- 

 sante is a beautiful crimson scarlet, large truss, with well-formed pip, 

 rather strong growth, and should have room ; it is a very attractive 

 variety. Annie Laurie is a particularly good late, colour rosy purple, 

 with a large white centre, free grower, and is very attractive at a little 

 distance. 



Among rose-coloured Verbenas none will take so high a place as 

 Lady Lacon, bright pink with large white centre, dwarf close habit, 

 and an abundant bloomer ; this is a first-class variety for beds. 

 William Barnes is a crimson, with a large dark centre, like a Sweet- 

 William, good habit, and large truss, e^^dently a good variety for 

 bedding. The best of all, however, is Wonderful, the most attractive 

 flower yet seen, rich plum purple colour, with a very large distinct white 

 centre, with large truss, excellent habit, and at this late period of the 

 year, when all the other varieties are over, a large bed of Wonderful is 

 in full bloom. We cannot too highly recommend this variety, especially 

 for the flower-garden. 



In a future number we shall give a list of some of the new kinds, 

 and record their merits as suitable for pot culture. 



