274 REMARKS ON BLUE-FLOWERED HYDRANGEAS. 



origin, which was flowering freely in the collection of Mr. Knight, 

 Nurseryman, of King's Road, Chelsea, London, when we visited that 

 place the past summer. Its beautiful flowers, produced in vast pro- 

 fusion, renders it a valuable acquisition, and it ought to be grown in 

 every collection. 



ARTICLE II. 



REMARKS ON BLUE-FLOWERED HYDRANGEAS, AND ON 

 SALVIA PATENS. 



BY E. C, OF CHELMSFORD, IN ESSEX. 



On looking over your November Number, I see two inquiries re- 

 specting the manner of growing Blue Hydrangeas, and though unable 

 personally to afford the information desired, I would state that the 

 largest and handsomest Blue Hydrangeas I have ever seen were those 

 I met with in September last, in front of a pretty cottage in the midst 

 of that picturesque spot, " Shanklin Chine," in the Isle of "Wight, 

 where they were growing in the open air of a very large size, and 

 covered with splendid bunches of deep blue flowers. I regret that I 

 did not make particular inquiries as to the nature of the soil, &c. ; 

 but from other appearances in various parts of the " Chine," I should 

 think there is little doubt that the soil is a kind of bog earth, impreg- 

 nated with sulphuret of iron, similar to that referred to by your cor- 

 respondent " P. R.," at page 270 ; their great size is of course owing 

 to the genial atmosphere of the locality, and the sheltered situation. 

 I also saw other fine plants in different parts of the island, but prin- 

 cipally blue. 



SALVIA PATENS. 

 At page 269 there is mention made of the winter treatment of this 

 plant. My plan is, as soon as the stems are cut down by the frost to 

 pot the roots and place them under the green-house stage during the 

 winter, where they get just about enough water from the draining of 

 the pots above to keep them moderately damp, and in the spring, 

 when they begin to shoot, I turn them out into the borders, where they 

 flower abundantly through the summer. 



