284 THE FLORIST. 



MEMORANDA FROM KEW. 



The few frosts that have occurred lately have nipped nearly all flowers amongst 

 out-door things, very few remaining in the herbaceous grounds, except Trades- 

 cantia virginica, Virginica alba, Ajuga genevensis, and a few others of little im- 

 portance. The Saffron Crocus (Colchicum autumnale), of which there is a double 

 variety called Multiplex, is one of the best things that flower during autumn. 

 The blossoms are large, and several are produced from a single bulb. It grows 

 best in a light dry soil, and has a beautiful appearance when grown in patches on 

 the borders. The finest ornament, however, at present, amongst out-door things, 

 is the Pampas grass (Gynerium argenteum), of which there are two or three large 

 specimens here ; but owing to its flowering so late in the autumn, the seeds do 

 not ripen; and as it forms itself into close large tufts, it is not otherwise freely 

 propagated. Unless, therefore, seeds of it are imported from Brazil, by which 

 plants can be raised, it will be some time before it becomes very common. 



Against the walls are Veronica Andersoni and V. salicifolia in flowers. These 

 are valuable shrubs at this season, as they have a good foliage, and, in addition to 

 that, they are easily cultivated. A plant of Statice monopetala, six feet high, 

 and covering a space nearly six feet wide, against an east wall, is now coming into 

 flower; but being so late in the season, it will prove of but little use, as it is sure 

 to be destroyed by frost. 



Some alterations are now in progress in the grounds, such as forming fresh 

 Rhododendron clumps on the lawns, renovating others, and planting out singly 

 several varieties of Junipers, Pinuses, Cryptomeria Lobbi, and a few other kinds 

 of Conifers, &c. 



In the tropical aquarium are some large handsome specimens of Crinum 

 amabile and C. Asiaticum, which, though not at present in flower, are highly 

 ornamental plants at all seasons, where they can be grown so as to have plenty of 

 head room. Pancratium carribseum, a bulbous West Indian plant, with an um- 

 bel (eighteen inches in diameter) of large fragrant white flowers, is here in blos- 

 som, along with Dichorizandra thyrsiflora, a plant four feet high, with several 

 large racemes of bright blue flowers. Euryale ferox, a scarce East Indian aqua- 

 tic, still continues blooming here. Its leaves are similar in structure to those of 

 the Royal Water Lily (Victoria Regia) ; but they are spiny on the upper sur- 

 face, and are from one to two feet in diameter. The flowers are smallish, and 

 red and blue. 



In the Orchid house, the singular Scuticaria is in flower, together with Onci- 

 dium incurvum majus, a fine showy free-flowering variety, which should be grown 

 in all collections. Pleione (Cadogyne) maculata and P. Wallichi are here flower- 

 ing profusely. These charming little things are some of the most beautiful of 

 East Indian Orchids, but they are often found rather difficult to manage. They 

 are cultivated here in shallow pans, with good drainage, and in about two and a 

 half inches of wrought peat, intermixed with a slight sprinkling of loam. They 

 are kept in a rather shady part of the house, near the glass, at a good moderate 

 temperature, and are supplied rather freely with water both at the roots and by 

 syringing over head while making their growth ; afterwards they are removed to 

 a cooler and drier atmosphere. They flower in November and December, with- 

 out leaves, producing two or three flowers from a single strong pseudo-bulb. 

 About eight or ten of them form a nice pan; and with the above treatment they 

 grow vigorously, and flower as freely as a pot of Crocuses. 



Amongst greenhouse plants, there is but little in flower at present. The most 

 conspicuous are Chorozema flavum, Witsenia corymbosa, Polygala ligularis, Vir- 

 gilia capensis, Bauera rubioides, and some Acacias. Chinese Primroses and 

 Pompone Chrysanthemums form, however, the principal features of attraction in 

 the greenhouse at present. 



Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. J. Houlston. 



