OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 253 



Saxifraga Macnabiana. 



MACRAE'S SAXIFRAGA; Nat. Ord. SAXIFRAGACE^. 

 THIS is a new and very beautiful variety, called after Mr. Mac 

 Nab, who raised it in 1877. Of the several hundreds of species 

 and varieties of this genus, it is doubtless one of the best and 

 most distinct as regards its habit and rich flowers. So 

 pronounced are its merit that, although I have not grown it 

 for more than four years or so, I can have no hesitation in 

 sounding its praise. It is possible that when it has become 

 better established in the collections of amateurs and others, and 

 when it has regained what may be termed its natural vigour, 

 lost by the too rapid propagation common to new plants, it may 

 prove to be even better than I have yet proved it. However that 

 may be, there can at present be only one opinion respecting it. 



The rosette foliage is in the style of 8. longifolia and 8. 

 pyramiddlis, intermediate; the flowers are quite distinct, but 

 they remind one of the charming 8. mutata, which is also a 

 rosette form, having a fine panicle of blossom. It is said to be a 

 seedling from S. Nepalensis crossed by $. cotyledon or 8. 

 pyramidalis, but, as the cross was accidental, there must be 

 some uncertainty ; both parents are evidently incrusted forms. 



The flowers are |in. across, corolla flat, petals richly spotted 

 with numerous bright red spots ; they are much shorter than 

 the petals of most of the other incrusted varieties ; they are also 

 slightly reflexed in the more matured flowers ; the calyx, too, is 

 less hairy and the segments shorter than those of its reputed 

 parents. The stem of my tallest specimen is not more than 

 15in. high; the panicle is large, beginning about four inches 

 above the rosette, It is well branched, the flowers being 

 clustered at the ends of the branchlets. The whole panicle will 

 be about lOin. long and Gin. or Sin. through. As regards the 

 foliage, I only need add to what has already been stated, that 

 the leaves are arranged in somewhat lax rosettes, are strap, or 

 tongue-shaped, evenly serrated, and, in the winter bright at 

 the edges, with frosted or silvery markings ; the flowers are 

 so very attractive that casual observers readily recognise their 

 beauties amongst hundreds of other Saxifrages, and they have 

 not inaptly been compared with fine old china. 



I ought not to omit mention of that rare quality possessed by 

 this Saxifrage, viz., a rich perfume. 



Though it is perfectly hardy, it may be grown in pots with 

 great advantage, as then it can be the more closely examined ; 

 but if it is not convenient to grow it in that manner, it may be 

 planted either on rockwork or in borders amongst choice things, 

 where its flowers will not fail to command admiring notice. As 

 to the kind of soil, it seems in no way particular. Sandy loam, 

 mixed with peat, however, suits it well. It is propagated by 



