i8o 



IRISH GARDENING. 



to finiyh, whilst staking of the climbing varieties 

 is also a serious item tor many. 



This season I had the pleasure of viewing for 

 the first time the well-appointed gardens at 

 Lota Lodge, so ably presided over by Mr. A. F. 

 Pearson, who needs no introduction to readers 

 of Irish Gardening. 



At the time of m}' visit (the end of May) 

 several borders were then already filled with 

 plants of the Dutch Brown Bean that had been 

 raised by sowing in boxes under glass. These 

 had been planted out about a foot apart all 

 ways and gave striking testimony to the great 

 efforts that were being made towards increased 

 food production ; for not only in the kitchen 

 garden proper were they installed, but also in 

 borders which in normal times gave w^ay to 

 flowering subjects. Ernest Beckett. 



Fota Gardens, Queenstown. 



Notes. 



The Laurestinus. 



Though correctly called A'iburnum Tinus, it "s 

 not likely that the old name of this handsome 

 shrub will be dropped. At the present time it 

 is the most attractive plant in the outdoor 

 garden, especially in sunny, sheltered positions, 

 where it is now a mass of flowers. The pro- 

 longed mild weather has favoured the early 

 development of the flowers, yet frost has com- 

 paratively little effect on them, for after a speJl 

 of hard weather the plants rapidly recover their 

 beauty, and the flowers soon open again in re- 

 sponse to a few hours of sunshine. 



The flowering season is a prolonged one, ex- 

 tending from November well into spring, more 

 especially if specimens are planted in various 

 aspects; also there is cpnsiderable vEU'iation in 

 the plants themselves, some flowering natu)'- 

 ally earlier than others. As an evergreen the 

 Laurestinus ranks high in Irish gardens, the 

 glossy, green leaves being attractive at any 

 season, while following the flowers there is 

 often a crop of dark blue berries which remain 

 on the plant fi-equently until the next season's 

 flow^ers are open. As there are often flowers on 

 the Laurestinus when the much-admired 

 Vibernum Carlesii is in flower it is possible that 

 a cross might be effected. If something of the 

 sweet scent of the latter could be imparted to 

 the Laurestinus it would be a gain. There are 

 several varieties of " Laurestinus," notably 

 lucidiiDi, with larger leaves, hirtuni, with 

 slightly hairy leaves especially on the under 

 surface, jnirpureunt, with leaves of a purple 

 tinge, a variegated form of no great merit, and 

 various others listed in trade catalogues but 

 not particularly distinct. 



Irises in December. 



On fine days it is a cheerful sight to come on a 

 clump of iris in full flower, and happily it is 

 possible even at this dull season. For the past 

 fortnight or so Iris unguicularis alba has been 

 a mass of flower at the base of a sunny wall. 

 This charming white form of the Algerian Iris 

 shoidd be grown by all who love the outdoor 

 garden. There is something peculiarly attrac- 

 tive in its flowers pushing up among and 

 beyond the narrow leaves. Near to it the type 

 plant is also flow'ering, bearing numerous bright 

 lilac, fragrant flowers. 



To grow these delightful flowers successfully 

 tlie plants must have a sunny position and poor 

 soil, otherwise leaves are produced in abund- 

 ance and very few flowers. 



Iris reticulata sopheneiisis is also now in full 

 flower at the base of a wall facing south-west. 

 This is a most attractive little Iris of a cheerful, 

 light blue colour, the flower stems being only 

 an inch or t\\o high when the flo\\'ers expand ; 

 the leaves at this time are just beginning to 

 pierce through t^e soil. It is a good doer, and 

 the clump here is increasing annually. 



Iris Vartani, also belonging to the dwarf sec- 

 tion of Bulbous Irises, is flowering now. 

 The flower stems are rather taller than those 

 of the previous variety, and the colour is pale 

 blue. A position sheltered from strong wind, 

 yet exposed to the sun, is necessary. 



J. AY. B., Glasnevin. 

 December 13tfi. 



Sedum pyramid.\le 

 (Receutly described by Mr. Lloyd Praeger) 

 See pai^e 14.5. 



