iSyi.] PLANTS SUITABLE FOR DECORATION. 123 



ground is a noble specimen of Phormium tenax variegatum. This is a variegated 

 forna of the well-known New Zealand flax. The leaves are distinctly marked with 

 broad stripes of creamy yellow. This plant is 6 feet high and 9 feet through. 

 Phormium Colensoi is of smaller growth, with the variegation more distinct. Of 

 Yuccas the most desirable is Y. aloifolia variegata. This forms a special feature 

 in the conservatory in winter, and is much used by exhibitors at the London 

 exhibitions in collections of " foliage plants. " Y. quadricolor is not often seen 

 of a large size, but it will supersede the other when it is more plentiful. It has 

 a dull-crimson band running down the centre of the leaf. I find the colours are 

 brighter and deeper if the plants are growing close to the glass, and air freely 

 admitted around them. There is also a fine variegated form of Y. filamentosa, 

 the leaves broadly edged and striped with pure white. Y. alba-spica, with very 

 distinct narrow filamentose leaves ; Y. filifera, with broader leaves in the same 

 way. 



Of stove-plants with ornamental foliage, lately introduced, there are numerous 

 fine examples ; notable amongst them is a new Pandanad — Pandanus Veitchii. 

 This, I am inclined to believe, will be a grand exhibition plant ; it is of vigorous 

 habit, and the leaves are handsomely striped with pure white. Croton undula- 

 tum ; the leaves of this, when full grown, are glossy purple, blotched and spotted 

 with crimson. In a young state the ground-colour of the leaves is yellow. 

 It is well adapted for table decoration, as the colours have a fine efi'ect by 

 night. 



Of the new Dractenas, D. Macleayi is a very ornamental broad-leaved sort, 

 of a robust compact habit, dark bronzy-brown in colour, with a rich metallic 

 gloss. D. regina, another variety with broad leaves ; the colour is green, with 

 half the leaf edged and variegated with creamy white. D. Guilfoylei is a very 

 fine species, with narrow leaves, striped with white and bright rosy-red. This 

 is certainly a highly ornamental variety, and succeeds in a cool house. " 



The Nepenthes is largely grown at Chelsea, and no stove-plant house, where a 

 temperature of fx'om 60° to 65° can be maintained during winter, should be 

 without a few of them. Cultivated in baskets, they are very novel and effec- 

 tive. A span-roof house, 30 feet by 16, is filled with them. Nepenthes Eafiles- 

 iana is a general favourite ; it has large beautifully - coloured pitchers, which 

 will hold a pint of water when full grown. N, Hookeri ; even in small plants, 

 the pitchers are highly coloured. N. hybrida maculata, a cross between N. 

 distillatoria and a small Bornean species, forms pitchers more freely than any 

 of the others. N. Sedenii, a very pretty hybrid to be sent out in the spring. 

 In all, there are about a dozen species and varieties cultivated. Nearly all the 

 Nepenthes require a high temperature. N. phyllamphora is an exception ; it 

 is a very free-growing species. 



There are not many stove-plants in flower. I noticed a very, pretty Begonia 

 named insignis ; this is the best of the winter-flowering sorts. Aphelandra aur- 

 antiaca Roezlii : of this there are some nice plants in 5-inch pots from 8 to 12 

 inches high, with from three to four heads of beautiful bright orange-scarlet 

 flowers. Urceolina aurea is also in flower all the winter ; its umbels of pretty 

 drooping flowers, golden-tipped with white and green, have a charming appearance. 

 Anthurium Scherzerianum, with its singular inflorescence of the most brilliant 

 scarlet colour, is a special feature in our stoves during winter. I have had 

 flowers which lasted in beauty for three months: there is said to be a white variety; 

 it is a rara avis, if such a plant is in existence in this country : at all events, there 

 are two varieties of the scarlet form of A. Scherzerianum ; one is superior to the 

 other. 



