IRISH GARDENING 



" gemnos," fke Crane ; " erodios,'' the Heron; 

 '' pelargos,'' the Stork. All three names draw 

 our attention to the long-pointed seed-vessels 

 which remind one of the long sharp bills of the 

 Crane, the Heron and the 8tork. 



We have got so far as to generic names, bnt 

 then we find each has been given a specific, the 

 name of the species, which points out how one 

 plant differs from another of the same genus. 

 There is the Geranium sanguineutn (red flowers), 

 sylvaticum (of the woods), pro tense (of the 

 garden), maritimun (of the seashore), pyrenaicum 

 (of the Pyrenees), rotund! folkim, (with roundish 

 leaves). 



Again, we find some of our plants whch have 

 been given an additional specific name added 

 to the generics — Alp'ma (from the Alps), Japonka 

 (from Japan), Sinensis (from China), Montana 

 (from United States in America), or the pine 

 called Douglasii, the Aralia Sieboldi, Ampelopsis 

 Veitchii, named after some well -known dis- 

 coverer or nurseryman ; or to take a somewhat 

 weird example from our own well-known 

 esculent the Potato {Solannm), one of these 

 potatoes is found in the Fiji Islands and its 

 botanical name is suggestive of its origin — 

 Solanum anthropojjhagum, for the Fijians were 

 once cannibals and grew this vegetable to be 

 used at their feasts, because they considered 

 human flesh Was indigestible unless eaten with 

 sixch a wholesome vegetable as the Solannm. 



Some Gardens and Nurseries 

 in Eingland* 



By J. W. Besant. 



Towards the end of July I made a journey to 

 London with the object of visiting some notable 

 gardens and nurseries rich in their collections 

 of haidy plants. In the public and private 

 collections visited many plants Were noted that 

 are not in commerce, and can often only be 

 obtained by exchange or by the generosity of 

 the owners or responsible authorities. 

 Kew. 

 Kew is the Mecca of all gardeners, and in the 

 present-day cult of outdoor gardening few there 

 are Who do not find their Way thither sooner or 

 later. The collections of Alpines and herbaceous 

 plants have long been noted for their complete- 

 ness and the excellence of their cultivation, 

 while the tree and shrul) collections are famous 

 throughout the world. Jn the following short 

 notes one can only briefly touch on a few of the 

 more prominent j^lants noticed in one day. At 

 least a week w(Hild be necessary to do the hardy 



collections thoroughly. Most of the rock garden 

 plants Were not in fioWer, though there Was a 

 good show for the time of year. 



Cytisus Kitaibelii is a loW-growing broom, like 

 a compact form of Genista tinctoria, and 

 eminently suitable for the rockery 



Weldenia Candida is a rare white-floWered 

 jilant of the Lily order, hailing from Mexico, 

 and by no means of easy cultivation. A deep 

 sandy soil in a warm position is probably neces- 

 sary. The stock of this is held by Bees, Ltd., 

 in whose nurseries I had the opportunity of 

 seeing it some eight or nine yea,TH ago. 



Primula Rusbyi, a new Mexican species, is 

 uncommon, with oblong-toothed leaves and 

 purple flowers. 



Saxifraga KeWensis is a hybrid which 

 originated at KeW, and belongs to the popular 

 burseriana section. Though not in flower it was 

 attractive in its compact cushions, which in 

 spring are surmounted by pale-pink flowers. 



Saxifraga cuscutseformis is not so rare, but 

 is yet not commonly met With. It is a useful 

 species for a sunn}' position in sandy soil, given 

 some protection in winter, and spreads by means 

 of runners in the same way as S. sarmentosa, 

 which is often grown as a window plant. The 

 flowers are in form somewhat similar to those 

 of the better knoWn S. Fortunei. 



Primula sapphirina, a tiny species from the 

 Himalaya, was also noted in pots. This is a 

 difficult species which Will be hard to retain 

 permanently in cultivation, owing probably to 

 the elevation of its native habitat — viz., 13,0UO- 

 14,000 feet. Many seedlings of P. sapphirina have 

 been raised at Glasnevin, but they never sur- 

 vived any length of time. 



In the herbaceous ground Pentstemon cciym- 

 bosus Was noticeable. It is a dwarf species with 

 bright red floWers, at once distinct and pretty. 

 P. gentianoides is very fine, with pale pur])le- 

 blue flowers of good effect, and would be useful 

 in the herbaceous borders. Many jilants are 

 sent out for P. gentianokles, but very rarely the 

 right one. 



Splueralcea bonariensis, a trailing plant with 

 grey leaves and pink flowers, was attractive, 

 and S. australis, with finely cut leaves and 

 orange-red tto\\'ers. Was very conspicuous. 

 Probably both sj^ecies Would require protection 

 in winter. 



(hiicus conspicuus well merits its specific 

 title, and Was the most noticeable plant in the 

 herbaceous ground. The handsome flower- 

 heads, With bright red bracts, encircling a ])o!-s 

 of majenta stamens proceeding from the disc 

 flowers, are bonie on stems some 3 feet to 4 feet 

 high, and appear very showy from a distance. 



