354 



London Nurseries 



ought to be better known; of Cfstus and Helfi' 

 dnthemum, among others C, Cupaniw?;?;* (.;%. 63.) ; 

 of Syniphoriaglonierata variegata; Vest?« /ycidides, 

 a good plant for turnmg out in borders ; and Medi- 

 cago arborea, an old half-hardy shrub, now scarce. 

 Notelse^a /igustrina in fruit, a desirable half-hardy 

 shrub, very much resembling the common olive. 

 In frames, the herbaceous plants set in ashes are 

 in a thriving state; and also the arbutus, and other 

 evergreen shrubs, in fern, moss, and straw. 



The Fulham Nursay, Messrs. Whitlet/, Bramcs, 

 and Milne. — March 10. This is one of the most 

 delightfully situated nurseries about London, 

 from the abundance of villas and fine old exotic 

 trees and shrubs with which it is surrounded. 

 Considering its antiquity, and that some of the 

 finest American plants were first sent here, and hence distributed all over 

 Europe, it may be considered by the gardener as classic ground. There 

 is one enclosure which still bears the name of Catesby, having been devoted 

 to the plants sent home by that botanist. 



The herbaceous ground here is at all times refreshing to the eye. Among 

 the early flowers, we noticed Corydalis tuberosa, very strong ; Pulmona- 

 ria virginica; SdWa, several species; Muscari racemosum, &c. As a very 

 rare herbaceous plant, though not in bloom, we may name the Echinophora 

 spinosa. Among the herbaceous plants in pots are, a new species of Nnv- 

 cissus, very small, with deep green rushlike leaves; ieucojum vernum, just 

 out of flower; Soldanella alpina, and 6'axifraga oppositifolia, brilliantly in 

 flower. Among the shrubs was Bcrberis glumacea, with its fine large com- 

 pound persistent deep green leaves, just coming into flower, vvell worth pur- 

 chasing ; Collet/« serratifolia, a curious diminutive deep-green-barked shrub, 

 little known ; J'rbutus procera, half-hardy; J^imiperus chinensis, in blossom, 

 a fine hardy shrub, and very showy at this season ; Kihes multiflorum, a 

 showy currant, with bunches of blossom 6 in. long. No fewer than seventy-- 

 five sorts of Cistineae, all correctly named according to Sweet, and all the 

 plants in small pots, ready to be sent to any part of the country at any 

 season of the year. Large tufts of £rica carnea have been in flower all the 

 winter, and still continue in perfection. There is a good stock of rare 

 species of Pinus, and of the foreign varieties of Azalea. The stools of 

 camellias and the different varieties of tree paeony are coming finely into 

 flower. Opposite the entrance to this nursery are two handsome villas, 

 occupied by single ladies, eminent London milliners, which gives a gratifying 

 idea of the wealth and taste of persons in this line of trade. 



Knights Exotic Nursery, Kin^s Road. — March 18. The effect on 

 entering is excellent ; the termination of the telescopic vista being the bronze 

 vase with its jet d'eau, backed by two splendid plants of striped camellia 

 covered with bloom, through which appears enough of light to give the 

 idea of continuation. The bronzed vase, which is about 6 ft. in diameter 

 ai^d weighs several tons, is jminted blue on the inside, and has a very cheerful 

 and elegant appearance. In the large curvilinear conservatory, a Rhodo- 

 dendiT)n arboreum is coming into flower, and in a fortnight will have a 

 splendid appearance. So abundant is the honey secreted by these flowers, 

 that when they are shaken it falls from them like large chops of rain. 

 Mr. Knight believes a spike of flowers may yield from a teaspoonful to 

 a dessert-spoonful at a time, and after being exhausted a fresh supply is 

 secreted ; so that the quantity which one spike may produce appears un- 

 limited. It is not ascertained to be perfectly wholesome ; but the honey 

 of the greater jjortion of the Ericess. is so, notwithstanding the delcterioiis 

 qualities of that of certain species of Azalea. Mr. Knight has raised a 



