1869. ] NEW FOLIAGE BEDDING PLANTS. MONTHLY CHRONICLE. 28i 



NEW FOLIAGE BEDDING PLANTS. 



[CCORDING- to my estimate of their merits, tlie following are the five best 

 of the new foliage plants, adapted for bedding purposes, which have 

 recently come into the hands of cultivators. As I have paid some atten- 

 tion to them in their various stages of growth, and have thus gained 

 some experience of their habits and characters, I propose to add a few observa- 

 tions upon each. I consider Iresine Lindeni to be unquestionably the bedding 

 acquisition of the season : — 



Iresine Lindeni. — This is perfectly distinct from I. Herbstii, although of a similar habit 

 and character. It differs in this way : I. Lindeni has little or no variegation in its colour, but is 

 of a beautiful glossy, dark blood-red, both in the stems and leaves. The latter are peculiarly 

 neat and pleasing, being lanceolate in outline, and quite flat. The plant is a quick, branching, 

 robust grower, and may be cut or pegged down to any required height. It is exceedingly 

 easy to multiply, grows on through all kinds of ordinary summer and autumn weather, and 

 stands without injury until it becomes subjected to several degrees of frost. 



Cineraria acanthifolia. — This, like the above, is grown for its ornamental leafage, and 

 somewhat resembles 0. maritima, but has the foliage more thistle-like in form. It is far 

 more attractive than the Centaurea, and possesses more of silvery or frosty whiteness than any 

 plant that I am acquainted with. It is of vigorous, upright growth, but can be kept pinched 

 down to any required height. For growing as a single pot specimen for the decoration of the 

 conservatory, the hall, or the balcony, this is a really valuable plant. 



Aohtrocune Sandersoni. — This is also remarkable as a white-leaved plant. For contrast 

 with Alternanthera, Lobelia. Golden Feather, or any similarly dwarf-growing plant, where 

 scroll or pannel bedding is carried out, this is exceedingly useful, as it rarely exceeds 6 in. 

 or 8 in. in height, and grows as much through during the season. Its growth is very thick, 

 forming quite a miniature bush. It can be pinched or clipped into any required shape. 



Gnaphalicm tomentosum. — This is very similar in appearance to the common lavender, 

 but has a more slender branching habit of growth. It is much whiter than the common 

 G. lanatum, and is almost equally easy to increase. This plant will grow from a foot to 

 eighteen inches high, but can be clipped to any height or form. I think, judging from its 

 quick growth and convenient habit, that this will be extensively used for bedding purposes. 



Abutilon Thojipsoni. — This most singular plant, which has beautifully blotched leaves, 

 was thought to require a stove temperature when first introduced, but during both the last 

 and the present season it has formed a grand object in the flower garden. The leafage and 

 growth are very similar to those of A. striatum, with the exception that it is dwarfer and 

 more dense, with foliage of a beautiful light glossy green, every leaf being boautifully spotted 

 and blotched with yellow, which gradually turns with age to a glossy silvery hue. So uniquely 

 is the leaf spangled with these attractive colours, that, without the plant is minutely examined, 

 one can scarcely be brought to believe that its peculiar blotching can be natural. 



There can be no doubt but that the above-named plants will play a most 

 conspicuous part in our future bedding arrangements. 



Woolwich. H. Cannell, F.R.H.S. 



MONTHLY CHRONICLE. 



IAHLIA imperialis has been flowered this season in great beauty in the 

 garden of the Royal Horticultural Society at Chiswick, and in other 

 establishments. The plant is naturally of a very tall-growing habit, and 

 at Chiswick, but for an accident, would have been at least 20 ft. high. 

 Though broken off at top, it was still 12 ft. high, each of the numerous branches terminated 

 by a grand paniculate inflorescence of beautiful lily-like white flowers, of which wo hopo 

 shortly to give an illustration. As a late-flowering conservatory plant, this Dahlia is a noble 

 acquisition. Its principal drawback is its great height, but this objection Mr. Alfred Salter, 



