8O2 SAX1FRAGA. 



THE ENGLISH FLOWER GARDEN. 



SCABIOSA. 



localities under cold frame culture in pots 

 or tubs, as above recommended. 



The following species and varieties are 

 given in books : Megasea cordifolia, c. 

 purpurea, crassifolia, ligulata, 1. ciliata 

 purpurascens, Stracheyi, S. alba, S. Milesi, 

 hybrida splendens. 



Numerous hybrids have been reared in 

 this section of Saxifrage from time to time. 

 One of the first which became popular in 



rish Rockfoil. 



London nurseries about ten years ago is 

 the seedling from cordifolia, now known 

 as cordifolia purpurea, a noble plant, and 

 luxuriant as seen at its best. Milesi is 

 dwarf growing, and nearly if not quite 

 deciduous, its presumed parentage being 

 ciliata crossed with pollen of Stracheyi. 

 As seen in its early bud stage of blossom- 

 ing it is a distinct and beautiful plant, 

 and is lovely grown in pots in a cold 

 house or sunny frame. Its scapes are so 

 short that its rose and white flowers are 



apt to be splashed and spoiled by rains 

 unless protected. 



A very varied and robust series of hybrid 

 Megaseas is that reared some years ago by 

 Mr. T. Smith, of Newry. They are the 

 result of crosses between cordifolia x pur- 

 purascens, and possess in some degree 

 the good qualities of both parents. The 

 plants are all robust, although varying 

 much in colour of flower and in stature. 

 Hybrida splendens is one of the finest in 

 the group, but the following named kinds 

 are also very remarkable in habit and in 

 colour : 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 



BRILLIANT. Leaves large, richly tinted 

 in autumn and winter ; flowers purple ; 

 calyces and pedicels crimson ; fine. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 

 CAMPANA. Very neat dwarf crowded 

 foliage ; scape i^ ft. with bell-shaped head 

 of rosy-lilac flowers. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 

 CORRUGATA. Dwarf habit; large rough 

 leaves ; flowers pink. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAK. 



DISTINCTION. Dwarf crowded habit, with 

 enormous head of pale pink flowers. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 

 NANA. A miniature of hybrida splendens. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 



PROGRESS. A free growing plant, with 

 tall scapes of rosy purple ; bell-shaped 

 blossoms, which are \\ in. across ; extra 

 fine. 



M. CORDIFOLIA X PURPURASCENS VAR. 

 STUDY. Compact habit, with short stout 

 scape of rose-coloured flowers. 



One charm of these great Rockfoils is 

 their rich autumnal and winter colouring. 

 M. Stracheyi and M. purpurascens are 

 especially good in this way, and many of 

 Mr. Smith's hybrids are effective when 

 planted in exposed positions ; with other 

 fine-leaved plants they show to advantage, 

 some having leaves suffused with crimson, 

 red, and soft yellow, while others are of the 

 most vivid colour crimson and brown. 

 We have here a group of fine-leaved and 

 flowering plants worthy of every attention, 

 for we do not believe that the hybrids 

 now known, fine as they are, will remain 

 long the best now that it is seen that the 

 species and varieties seed so freely and 

 give such good results when crossed. 

 The result promises to be a group of 

 plants free from all cultural difficulties 

 plants that a cottager may grow in his 

 garden, or a townsman in his window 

 boxes, and handsome enough to be worthy 

 of care and attention in the garden of a 

 queen. F. W. B. 



SCABIOSA (Scabious). Annual, bien- 



