32 THE GARDENER. [Jai;. 



sums, and that old favourite of our gardens, the sweet Allysum, blooming from 

 self-sown plants that had come from the seed shed by the first crop of flowers early 

 in the summer. 



Some way along this drive, access is gained to the subtropical department by a 

 path on the right. Roughly, it may be described as a vast amphitheatre, sheltered 

 on every hand by raised banks planted with shrubs, and surmounted by tall and 

 ornamental trees. Advantage was taken of the original features of this spot to 

 form a site for the subtropical work, and where the surroundings were not of the 

 character required they were furnished by artificial means. Year by year some 

 new feature is added, and so year by year there is a progressive development, 

 reaching on to higher stages as each becomes perfected. The beds are on turf, 

 and in many instances are raised considerably above the level of the greensward, 

 while some are on warm sloping banks. A large irregular circle of greensward 

 in the centre, with a broad baud on the right hand of the main walk, sometimes 

 narrow, sometimes much deeper in width, gives a general outline of the depart- 

 ment. To this has been added in the past two or three years a portion of what is 

 known as the continent, and more recently a piece of Alpine planting, well 

 worthy a visit in the season for the capital representation secured. But of this 

 more anon. 



Starting from the point of entry, some vigorous specimens of the bold-foliaged 

 Aralia Sieboldi met the eye, which stands the winter without auy protection, and 

 has done so for the past five years. From one plant Mr Gibson had obtained the 

 many specimens he now has in cultivation. In a kind of grassy bay, sheltered 

 by protecting banks of shrubbery, were some grand banks of Cannas, edged with 

 lines of the Cardoon, and variegated Chrysanthemum Sensation ; and at each end 

 were banks of Cardoons as well. This old kitchen-garden plant formed a capital 

 contrast to the dark-leaved Cannas. Just by were raised circular beds in a 

 kind of glen. The farthest had as an occupant a huge Musa Ensete, the other a 

 huge plant of Chamserops Fortunei ; between these was a good circular mass cf 

 Coleus Verschaffelti — round this Golden-Chain Pelargonium, edged with Echeveria 

 secunda glauca. In front of this lot of beds was a clump of fine plants of Nerium 

 Oleander plunged in pots ; and there were three specimen Palms, as well as speci- 

 mens of Yucca gloriosa, and Y. recurva, to complete the picture. This was in re- 

 ality a garden in itself, and bore much such a relationship to the great garden 

 around it that one of the small chapels in Westminster Abbey does to the lofty 

 and magnificent building that encompasses it. Near this Wigandia caracassana, 

 which Mr Gibson terms " one of the kings among foliaged plants," was very fine. 

 There were two rows of it, each plant about 34 feet in height, almost filling a 

 long bed, aud these were edged with Plumbago capensis, and an outer edging of 

 the Golden-Feather Pyrethrum. When it is stated that these fine plants were 

 raised from cuttings struck in March last, some idea can be gained of its adapt- 

 ability for this kind of work. Here was Aralia Sieboldi again on some 

 raised slopes — a position which assists it to ripen its wood. It was showing 

 signs of blooming, but it was very doubtful if the flowers would develop them- 

 selves before the frost set in. Then came another fine thing— namely, Solanum 

 marginatum, so named from having a kind of silvery edging to the leaves, which 

 are spined above and beneath. This is raised from seed one year, and the plants 

 are held over till the next for planting out. Near this was a bed of the pink and 

 buff coloured Lantana Fabiola, edged with Robert Fish golden-leaved Pelargo- 

 nium — a good thing, with a dwarf and compact habit. A noble plant, too, is Fer- 

 dinanda eminens, with large spreading leaves. Here was a group of it in the 

 centre of a shield-shaped bed, the plants from 6 to 7 feet in height : round this 



