136 



IRISH GARDENING. 



white, f'losoh- packed in t(>rminal clusters (liuiiit: 

 .hme. 



('. purpiiri'us. pciiiap^ not so siiitaMc foi' the 

 rock irarden as some, but there aic some parts 

 where it may he u.scd with good ciVect. it is a 

 h)\\-<rro\\ ini: plant of a sul)-shi-ul)l>y nature. 

 ]iro(hn'iii,<j: its new growtlis amiuaily lioui the 

 ground from I.") to ;}() inches high: it is one ot the 

 most distinct of Brooms, owing to the colour' of 

 its tiowers. whieli are of a pinkish purple. It 

 is a nati\(' of the I'luidpcaii Alps, and was intro- 

 dnced in I 7'.>2. 



They are easily rai.scdfrom cuttings of half- 

 ripened wood and placed in sandy soil in a little 

 heat or a close frame. As they are very reluctant 

 to root disturhance. they should he grown in pots 

 and i)lanted into their i)ermanent <piaiters when 

 yoiuig. 



Cambridge. K. G. P. 



Notes. 



Pentstemon Hartwegii roseus. 



This is one of the smaller-flowered varieties, 

 but is very pretty when seen in a mass. Though 

 lacking the brilliance of some of the large- 

 flowered florists" varieties, it nevertheless gives 

 a great quantity of flo\^ ers of a nice soft rose 

 pink. It is an excellent border plant, growing 

 about eighteen inches high, and would make a 

 show}' autumn group on a large rock garden. 



Mesembryanthemum crassulinum. 



This charming member of the Figwort family 

 is one of the most suitable of the whole genus 

 for the rock garden, being neat and compact 

 in habit, forming cpiite a cushion of succulent 

 leaves, while the pure white flowers, an inch or 

 so in diameter, are borne in great profusion 

 during June and July, and often on into the 

 autumn. 



It is a native of 8. Africa, and appears to be 

 little known. The illustration (see p. 135) is of a 

 plant which has been growing in the rock garden 

 at the Botanic Gardens, Cambridge, for a number 

 of years, and so far has proved to be cpiite hardy ; 

 it should be given a warm spot in a sheltered 

 position in well- drained soil, and, like the 

 majority of the family, is readily rooted from 

 cuttings. 



F. G. Preston. 



The Bitterwort. 

 Gi:ntian\ i.itka. 



^bisT haidy plant growers arc fauiili.ir w it h tlu^ 

 smaller ( Ici'il ians. such as G. acaulis and G. \'crna. 

 but not so many know and grow what is perhaps 

 the giant of the genus viz.. C!enl iajia lutea. 

 .Nevertheless it is a handsome plant,, and a 

 lieaUhy group, witli excry shoot surmounted by 

 a spike of golden ncIIow Mowers in duly, is a very 

 pleasant sight. It is one of the plants that once 

 estaV)li.shed prefers to l)e left undisturbed for 

 years or mitil sliowing signs of failing. Then it is 

 better to l)egin again with yomig plants than to 

 lift and divide the old clump, as it will often 

 sulk for some years afterwards, and not infre- 

 (pu'iitly dies. 8eeds are produced in ([uantity, 

 and should be sown when ripe. Gertnination is 

 often slow, but, on the other hand, a sufficient 

 number will usually vegetate the following 

 spring to provide all the plants necessary for 

 most people. They shotdd l)e pricked out and 

 grown on in pots until large enough for per- 

 manent planting. 



Regarding soil, this seems to depend on the 

 tUstrict. In some districts, where the soil is what 

 is known as a i)eaty loam, there is no difficulty. 

 In til's kind of soil there is enough humus 

 to render it moist without being sour or 

 stagnant. Elsew^here, however, M'here the soil 

 is of a dry nature, the addition of peat or leaf- 

 mould or other decayed vegetable matter is 

 imperative. All Gentians love moisture, especi- 

 ally in summer, but they do not like a sour 

 soil, and must therefore have perfect drainage. 



G. kitea when growing well may approximate 

 six feet in height when flowering, but more often 

 perhaps four feet is considered good. 



Though an old plant in gardens, the Bitter- 

 wort is not often seen in really good condition. 

 The roots furnish the medicinal Gentian root 

 of commerce. Gentianella, Dublin. 



Cornus Kousa. 



A NATIVE of Japan, Corea and Central China, 

 this is one of the showiest of the Cornels. It is a 

 deciduous shrub, sometimes, when doing well, 

 becoming a small tree, producing its fiowers in 

 •June, or in some localities earlier. The true 

 flowers are not conspicuous, but this is compen- 

 sated for by the large white bracts which surround 

 the cluster of flower?. There are four bracts to 

 each liead or clvister of fiowers, and when freelv- 

 produced and at their fullest development the 

 effect produced by a single bush is very fine. The 

 illustration in the present issue is of a plant in the 

 fine collection at INIount Usher, Co. Wicklow , and 

 we owe it to the courtesy of Mr. E. H. Walpole. 



