1871.] NOTES OF EXTRA-FINE BEDDING PLANTS. 83 



nsrpTES OF A FEW EXTRA-FINE BEDDING PLANTS, 

 MOSTLY OF RECENT INTRODUCTION. 



Ageratum Imperial Blue. — Lively lavender, with more of a dash of 

 blue in it than has the real lavender colour, which renders it more 

 lively and effective. Eight inches high. Produces its immense bunches 

 of flowers in the greatest possible profusion — so much so, that it covers 

 a bed with a perfect sheet of its pleasing colour. It is a most valu- 

 able plant for masses, scroll-work, edgings, and for forming ground- 

 work in panel-planting, or for pincushion beds. Since the introduction 

 of Lobelia erinus speciosa and Gazania splendens into our parterres, 

 we know of no other plant so serviceable as this. It deserves more 

 said in its favour than was said of it when brought before the public ; 

 and the coloured plates we have seen of it do not do it justice, and this 

 is not generally applicable to new plants. 



Heliotro2:>e Surprise, — What Imperial Blue is among Ageratums this 

 is among Heliotropes. A lively purplish blue. Grows about 9 

 inches high, and having a first-rate habit. In some localities, where 

 for the last few years purple Verbenas have, owing to the drought, 

 not been satisfactory, it has been decided to substitute this Heliotrope, 

 the effect produced being similar. This may apply most to dry soils. 



Iresine Lvndenii. — This is a very decided improvement on I. Herb- 

 stii, being of a brighter colour and much better habit ; less lumpy and 

 ungraceful-like, from its being dwarfer, more twiggy in growth, and 

 from the more pleasing outline in shape of its leaves, which are acu- 

 minate or taper-pointed. When sent out, we got a character with it 

 of much more hardiness than I. Herbstii ; we think it slightly more 

 hardy, but not much. It has the same liking for moisture and rich 

 soil, is as easily propagated, requires intermediate heat to keep it 

 safely over the winter, and tobacco-smoke to keep it free from green- 

 fly. More than likely it will supersede I. Herbstii. It bears pinch- 

 ing well for edging, and for dotting in light groundwork of such as 

 Pyrethrum Golden Feather (a most useful plant, likely in great measure 

 to cause a decrease in the number of Cloth-of-Gold and Golden Chain 

 Pelargoniums) and Allysum variegatum, &c. Excellent also for con- 

 trasting-lines to yellow Calceolarias, Centaurea Eagusina, Cineraria 

 maritima, and C. acanthafolia. 



Cineraria acanthafolia. — The same beautiful silvery whiteness as 

 C. maritima. Fully more compact in growth, the leaves being in 

 shape intermediate between C. maritima and Centaurea Eagusina. 

 Grown with a stem a foot high, this is a very handsome plant, beauti- 

 ful either for panel-plants or for dotting. To some extent this should 

 supersede the Centaurea, being much more easily wintered, and quite 



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