5 6 THE NEW GARDENING 



GERBERA. There is great interest in the coloured 

 forms of G. Jamesoni, but they need frame or cool house 

 culture, except in very mild, sheltered places near the 

 sea. 



GEUM (AVENS). The old species coccineum has long 

 been valued as a border plant because of its brilliant 

 colour, for the sake of which flower-gardeners have gladly 

 tolerated a somewhat straggly habit. Truth to tell, there 

 are few hardy plants which give the hues of the Geums. 

 A variety of Chiloense (syn. coccineum) called Mrs. J. 

 Bradshaw should receive the particular attention of those 

 who love this plant, for its flowers are large and perfectly 

 double, while the colour is vivid in the extreme a 

 brilliant, glittering light scarlet. Montanum maximum 

 might also be noted, for its large flowers of glowing orange- 

 yellow are very showy ; it is of closer habit than cocci- 

 neum. Those who have to garden on poor soil have reason 

 to be grateful for the Geums, which thrive on the poorest 

 chalk, and are in bloom for many weeks. 



GLADIOLI. We have here a plant which, like the 

 Daffodil, is more often bedded than grouped in borders. 

 The belief that it is best to take up the roots in autumn 

 and store them has no doubt something to do with the 

 method of culture adopted. But the cheaper Gladioli, 

 such as Brenchleyensis, might be used in colour grouping, 

 and left to winter in the open ground, especially on light 

 and well-drained soils. Unless wire worms abound they 

 are well able to fend for themselves, and in any case they 

 are cheap. We find, however, that a certain percentage 

 of bulbs do not reappear, and this fact will prevent us 

 from entrusting more expensive varieties to the mercies 

 of the weather and ground pests. These better sorts 

 may, however, still be used in the borders if their sites 



