80 Subtropical Gardening. 



*Beta cicla variegata (Chilian Beet). — Under this 

 name a very showy plant has recently come into cul- 

 tivation. When well grown the leaves are often more 

 than a yard long, and present a vivid and most striking 

 coloration. Their midribs are 4 ins. or more across, and 

 vary from a dark deep waxy orange to vivid polished 

 crimson. The splendid hue of the lower part of the leaf- 

 stalk flows on towards the point, and spreads in smaller 

 streams through the main veins and ramifications of the 

 great soft blade of the leaf, which is often 1 ft. and even 

 15 ins. in diameter, if the plant be in rich ground. The 

 under sides of the leaves are most richly coloured, and the 

 habit such that these sides are well seen. It requires the 

 treatment of an annual — to be raised in a gently heated 

 frame, and afterwards planted out in very rich ground, 

 though it may also be kept over the winter in pots. It 

 varies a good deal from seed, and the most striking indi- 

 viduals should be selected before the plants are put out. 

 Used sparingly, its effect would perhaps be more telling 

 than if in quantity, and it is well suited for isolation. Chili. 



*Bocconia cordata. — This is a fine plant in free soil, 

 but comparatively poor in that which is bad or very stiff. 

 It forms handsome erect tufts from 5 ft. to over 8 ft. high, 

 and is admirably suited for embellishing the irregular or 

 sloping parts of pleasure-grounds. The stems grow rather 

 closely together, and are thickly set with large, reflexed, 

 deeply-veined, oval-cordate leaves, the margins of which 

 are somewhat lobed or sinuated. The flowers, which are 

 rosy-white and very numerous, are borne in very large 

 terminal panicles. The flowers are not in themselves 

 pretty, but the inflorescence, when the plant is well grown, 



