•^ Violets, ^Primroses and Wallflowers (j£ 



flowers of the same soft yellow, but it was of an even 

 deeper and better shade. This is the primrose now 

 known in the catalogues as Barrowby Gem. There are 

 already * improved ' (dreadful word !) varieties being 

 shown, but though they have all the modern qualities of 

 immense size, and striking colour, they are not, I think, 

 nearly as pleasing as the original ' Barrowby Gem ' 

 which in spite of its deep lemon colour still preserves 

 something of the ethereal delicacy and charm of the wild 

 primrose. 



The beautiful old double primroses are by no means easy 

 to grow, for the English climate is too dry for them, but 

 they flourish in Ireland. The bunch primroses (a cross 

 between primroses and the old polyanthus) are deliciously 

 scented, and given the cool rich soil they like, they are 

 amongst the most beautiful of spring flowers. The 

 range of colours now available is wonderful, ranging 

 from white to deep velvety crimson, and nearly all of 

 them with a beautiful orange eye. The true polyanthus 

 has for centuries been a favourite in our gardens, and best 

 of all are the old yellow-throated scarlet ' hose in hose,' 

 which figure in Parkinson's Paradisus, and which, fortun- 

 ately, have not been improved out of existence. Of the 

 * new ' polyanthuses one of the very best for scent of 

 the named varieties is 'Tangerine.' The name exactly 

 describes the colour and the scent is as strong and as sweet 

 as the scent of freesias. It is very free flowering and 

 desirable in every way. So many of the spring flowers, 

 such as tulips, need a thick edging round the beds, other- 

 wise they are apt to look ' thin,' and there is nothing more 

 delightful than a good border of polyanthus. It makes 

 the bed look like a nice old-fashioned basketful of flowers. 



39 



