232 THE GARDENER. [May 



GOSSIPY GLEANINGS FROM THE CONSERVATORY. 



Amaryllis superba, — I may safely remark that every conservatory without a 

 plant of this lacks a most effective feature in winter — superb in summer from 

 its massive flag-like leaves describing a contour of symmetrical exactness. They 

 rise erect for some distance opposite each other, then bend like two semicircles 

 met over the pot. The flowers appear in winter : they are brilliant orange- 

 scarlet, veined with deeper red. Inside the cup is stamped with maroon over the 

 capsule, which extends up the petals some distance, and terminates in star-like 

 points. Each flower measures about 7 inches diameter, and is in substance 

 solid and leathery, lasting in a fair state of perfection for five weeks. The 

 first set of flowers are generally succeeded by another set, when it is necessary 

 to replace the plant in heat to expand them. 



Its cultural wants are simi^le in the extreme. The temperature of an inter- 

 mediate house suits it perfectly until the flowers begin to open, when it may 

 be consigned to a sunny aspect in the conservatory. It delights in ample 

 scope for its roots, and thrives well in a compost principally of light fibry 

 loam with a slight admixture of sharp sand and leaf-mould. 



Another plant of scarcely less importance, and therefore deserving honourable 

 mention, is Lasiandria macrantha — a noble plant without question. True, its 

 flowers are somewhat evanescent in duration, but this is fully compensated for 

 in the constant succession upheld for half the year. It is startling when one 

 takes into account the immense forces that are of necessity constantly in 

 operation to produce the number of immense flowers produced by a single 

 plant in one season. Some of those flowers are not less than 5 inches in 

 diameter, of an unusually thick substance, in colour shining indigo, suffused with 

 a rosy violet gloss. The foliage is larger, simple ovate, corded lengthwise by 

 the veins, and is of a satiny shining texture. The flowers are produced on 

 the tops of the yoimg shoots, which throw out lateral growths in their turn, 

 and supply a constant succession of bloom. Although quite at home in the 

 conservatory in summer, this plant requires a slightly higher temperature as 

 the autumn approaches, or it will stop growing, and probably suffer in the 

 foliage. It soon recovers when put into a more genial heat, but it is quite 

 unnecessary to put it into a stove ; the intermediate house will suit. In habit 

 L. macrantha is somewhat shrubby, and of rapid growth. 



When writing about Hhododendrons last year, I think I noticed E.. floribunda. 

 This variety forces as freely as other early sorts ; and what an acquisition it is 

 to those that have bouquets in number to provide ! Its white flowers are most 

 telling among others. By the way, I may here refer to the Rhododendron 

 recently named after the Princess Louise, at her own request, on the occasion of 

 her Royal Highness's visit to the Winter Gardens, Edinburgh. R. Princess 

 Louise is a seedling raised from seed brought from India twenty-three years ago. 

 It flowered for the first time last winter, and pleased every one who saw it with 

 the quality of its flowers, as well as the time which they lasted. I do not know 

 any other Pthododendron that keeps its blossoms so long in perfection. Its 

 trusses are much above the average size, and are boldly seated on handsome 

 deep-green foliage. The individual pips are perfect, as little drinking-cups 

 massed closely, without being crowded, together. Each group forms three 

 parts of a ball. The upper portion of the petals is of a brilliant rosy peach, 

 changing to delicate rose towards the base of the corolla. The stamens are 

 made agreeably prominent from being perfectly black, the anthers of which 

 shortly open and emit their white pollen, that is seen clinging to their lips. 



