136 JVotes on Gardens and J^urseries. 



were superb with from three to ten heads of flowers each; we 

 could not observe, out of several plants in bloom, any two which 

 were alike, though they were mostly imported for one kind. 

 One received for the R. Russellidniou has not proved to be 

 true. 



The geraniums had scarcely begun to open their buds, but a 

 fine show may be expected from the middle of March until the 

 middle or end of May. The heaths looked, generally, very 

 well, and several were in flower. E. caffra? and persoluta both 

 charming, as was also the arborea, which was raised from seed: 

 E. resinosa, which we Imve heretofore called ardens, has been 

 lovely for a long period, and will remain so for some time to 

 come; it is one of the most desirable: E. Bowiedna, with white 

 flowers, had been elegant: E. ventricosa superba was finely in 

 bud. Mr. Haggerston informs us that he cannot see any dilfer- 

 ence between this and the ventricosa; at any rate ii is a valuable 

 plant, and should be extensively spread about in all collections. 

 Azalea indica var. Smithu coccinea and ignescens were each 

 coming into flower: they somewhat resemble each other both in 

 the color of the flowers and the habit of growth; the former is, 

 liowever, the most abundant Iploomer, often producing six to eight 

 blossoms in a cluster. A strong plant of either kind would have 

 an imposing effect in full bloom, and contrast finely with the 

 snowy blossoms of the ledifulia, or the light rosy purple tints of 

 the indica hybrida. 



But the most gorgeous of all the plants was the i?hododen- 

 dron hybridum, the largest in the vicinity of Boston. The 

 plant has been in ill health, but is. now fast recovering. Two 

 years since, in the winter, at wliich time we made mention of 

 it, this very plant was turned into the border, in one of the com- 

 partments next to the green-house; but it soon showed signs of 

 disease, and Mr. Haggerston had it taken up and potted: it soon 

 began to mend, and every branch has produced a cluster of buds, 

 which were now expanding: more ihan forty of its brilliant hued 

 umbels presented as magnificent a sight as could be imagined, 

 and more than fifty more will be added to this great number by 

 the middle of March; and from that period until early in April 

 it will preserve all its attractions. No one who looks upon this 

 plant, and possesses a green-house, can be contented to rest 

 satisfied until he obtains one; and indeed those who do not 

 own so desirable a structure need not be denied the gratification 

 of beholding its great beauty, for any ordinary cellar will pre- 

 serve a plant in good health, which will display its blossoms by 

 being brought into the parlor in March, or in the open air in the 

 month of May. 



In small pots, upon the front shelves, plants of the Lobelia 

 bicolor were profusely laden with its blue and silver flowers: 



