IRISH GARDENING. 



1^7 



C. purpureus is a very fine species of the 

 dwarf er set, growing about 3 feet, or a little 

 more, high. The leaves are, roughly lance- 

 shaped, varying somewhat; the upper surface 

 grey green, the lov/er downy. The flowers are 

 large, up to 3 inches v.ide, deep purple red, 

 with a much darker blotch at the base of each 

 petal. 



Clematis FargcsU is a welcome addition, 

 forming a link between the early floweriiig 

 species and those of autumn. It bears large, 

 pure white, four sepalled flowers, and makes an 

 attractive display when given space to ramble. 

 Useful for bowers and trellis work. 



G. montana Wilsoni, a. mass of flowers in 

 July, is certain to become popular. The 

 flowers are larger than the commoner early- 

 flowering type, and the plant is equally robust ; 

 it, therefore, must become one of the most 

 popular of summer flowering climbers. 



The Esca-llonias must always remain among 

 the most important of summer flowering 

 shrubs, although reputedly tender in some cold 

 inland districts. For most parts of Ireland one 

 or other of the species can be grown, with some 

 care, and for decorative purposes some of the 

 hybiids are unexcelled in their season. Of the 

 species, E^ macrantha, E. pmictaia, and E. 

 rubra, with red or crimson flowers, are most 

 conspicuous; while species with more or less 

 white flowers are E. PJiiJippiana, a magnificent 

 shrub where it flourishes and E. pterocladon, 

 a fine, upright grower 



Of the hybrids, E. hingleyensis (E. Philip- 

 piana x E. pvmctata) is extremely popular, and 

 always admired. It flowers with remarkable 

 freedom and regularity, bearing quantities of 

 delightful carmine-coloured flowers. 



E. edinensis is similar in habit, but has paler 

 flowers, while the newer E. Donard Seedling is 

 white-suffused pink, the three forming a most 

 beautiful trio. 



E. exoniensis, a very vigorous grower of up- 

 right habit, forming stout, strong branches, is 

 a 'hybrid of E. pterocladon x E. rvbra, and 

 rarely fails to give a good display over a long 

 season; the flowers are nearly white, but 

 usually tinted v/ith pink. 



Genista virgata, the Madeira Broom, flowers 

 in late June and early July, and is a most 

 attractive shrub of upright habit. It will reach 

 a height of 10 feet or more, and does not object 

 to some shade; in fact, it grows well under 

 trees where the shade is not too dense. The 

 flowers, produced in racemes, are bright yellow, 

 and are produced in small quantities for a con- 

 siderable period. 



Tndigofera anihlyanfha, a twiggy shrub of 

 the Pea family, and lately introduced from 

 China, seems likely to be a useful summer 



flowering shrub. It is now about 3 feet high, 

 carrying numerous racemes of reddish purple 

 flowers. 



Indigofcra liebepetala is an older shrub in 

 gardens, but not very generally grown. It is 

 not reliably hardy away from a wall, and cer- 

 tainly requires shelter; the flowers, produced 

 in racemes, are rose or rosy crimson in colour. 



Indigofera Gerardiana, also from the Hima- 

 laya, is perhaps the most satisfactory, produc- 

 ing abundance of new shoots annually from the 

 base, and developing abundance of racemes of 

 rosy purple flowers towards the ends of the 

 branches, and a good bush makes quite a fine 

 display. 



Leptospermums one hesitates to write of as 

 hardy shrubs, though evidence is accumulating 

 that home-raised seedlings may prove quite 

 suitable for many parts of Ireland and else- 

 where. The common v.hite-flowered L. Sco- 

 pcirium has flourished in some parts of the 

 country, forming huge brushes, but the beauti- 

 ful pink and carmine forms of Nicholii, which 

 are grown so well by the Donard Nursery Com- 

 pany, are not yet so common; good bushes, 

 however, are now to be met with in various 

 gardens, such as Eostrevor House ; and the 

 remarkably fine stock at Newcastle, where the 

 Donard Nursery is situated, gives rise to the 

 hope that these attractive plants will yet be- 

 come more common in gardens, few ot'her 

 shrubs giving such fine colour in July. 



Lomcera tragophylla, introduced from China 

 some years ago, is in many respects the most 

 distinct and remarkable climbing plant flower- 

 ing outside in summer. It likes a cool position, 

 and in hot districts some shade. Eepeated 

 attempts to grow it at Glasnevin failed, until 

 it was transferred to a shady wall, in cool, 

 moist soil, where it has since floinished. The 

 leaves are dark green, inclined to be glaucous, 

 and the 'handsome flowers, produced in heads 

 of a dozen, or more in some cases, are bright 

 yellow, up to 3 inches long, with a narrow tube 

 and wide-spreading lobes. This is certainly 

 one of the most remarkable of the Woodbines. 

 L. Delavayi is quite attractive on a wall, and 

 is apparently perfectly hardy, flowering freely 

 in July. The leaves are green above and 

 downy below ; the flowers, produced in pairs, 

 are sweet-scented, and of a pale yellow colour. 

 L. gigatitea- superba is apparently the variety 

 pubescens, of L. Etrnsca, and is certainly a 

 most desirable hardy climber. In the Botanic 

 Gardens, at Glasnevin, it is firmly establis^hed 

 on an old partially cut down Ash Tree, and 

 annually makes a fine display, covering the 

 branches with clusters of sweet-scented flowers, 

 which are at first yellow-flushed with reddish 

 brown, but fade to deep yellow. 



