1879] CLERODENDRON FRAGRANS. 565 



niger maximus. It is earlier, and the flowers and foliage are larger 

 than they are in any of the other forms. I met with another form 

 in Edinburgh last winter, which is quite distinct from any other in 

 its habit and in its time of flowering — being just coming to its best 

 when the other growing close beside it was far advanced in the process 

 of becoming green and seedy. This is an acquisition, because it ex- 

 tends the period in which this popular flower may be enjoyed. 



One of the valuable ornamental qualities of Hellebores is their being 

 evergreen. Some of them, but especially H. fcetidus and H. arguti- 

 folius may be characterised as remarkably striking and handsome- 

 foliaged plants, which may be made to contribute something towards 

 the decoration of the garden in the winter months. They are very 

 suitable for the margins of shrubberies, and for imparting evergreen 

 furnishing to rockwork where there is sufficient depth of soil to sus- 

 tain them. Among the more ornamental-flowered species may be men- 

 tioned, besides H. niger the true Christmas Rose, H. atro-rubens, having 

 large dark purple flowers ; H. colchicus, with considerable panicles of 

 large purple-red flowers ; and H. olympicus, a creamy or greenish- 

 white species — very floriferous and ornamental. 



W. S. 



CLERODENDRON FRAGRANS. 



This lovely plant is not so much grown as it deserves to be for autumn 

 and early winter flowering ; its double white sweet-scented flowers are 

 very valuable during the time named, and are useful for a variety of 

 purposes, and much sought after by lovers of fragrant flowers. For 

 room decoration it is invaluable ; and nice plants can be grown in 

 4-inch pots, suitable for small vases, containing from two to four heads 

 of bloom. When well grown, it can be kept within reasonable bounds 

 in the size of pot named. Small specimens can be produced not more 

 than 8 and 9 inches high, which, with its bold foliage, renders it a 

 striking object. Of course larger specimens can be produced if the 

 cultivator thinks it necessary. Their size entirely depends upon the 

 time the plants are propagated, or if old plants are grown on from the 

 commencement of the year. This plant can be bloomed with impunity 

 two or three times in the season ; but this with small plants is not 

 advisable, especially when preparing them for winter work. There is 

 too frequently a great mistake made in growing this Clerodendron in 

 the stove amongst a collection of plants. In this position it soon be- 

 comes tall and naked, and too often the picture of ill-health, as well as 

 a prey to all insects that infest plants. 



The plants are propagated any time from April to the beginning of 

 June from cuttings, which strike very freely if accommodated for a 

 short time in the propagating-house or under the shade of Melons, &c. 



