254 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



the best : Atrosanguineum, with its large richly-coloured flowers, lasts a 

 long time in good condition ; carneum produces rose-coloured flowers, 

 and those of albidum are white or nearly so. R. aureum is conspicuous 

 for its drooping racemes of yellow flowers, and in autumn its richly 

 coloured leaves are distinct and showy. The variety pracox is a border 

 shrub, and even more valuable than the last named, as it flowers very 

 early. The small, red, Fuchsia-like flowers of R. speciosum, formerly 

 called R. fuchsioides, are produced very freely, and have long projecting 

 stamens. Although perfectly hardy it is better for a wall, as its tiny 

 flowers are then seen to advantage ; the slender shoots are spiny. R. 

 gordonianum, raised between 7?. aureum and R. sanguineum, is vigorous 

 and very free. 



Robinias (Hardy Acacias). These are trees of much interest, quite 

 hardy, and free-flowering. Of the Common Locust Tree (R. Pseud- 

 acacia) there are several good varieties. Decaisneana is of free growth, 

 and produces light pink flowers ; Bessoniana is a thornless variety, and 

 an excellent tree for town gardens. It forms a dense head, and its 

 bright green leaves hang long after those of other kinds have dropped ; 

 crispa has distinctly curled leaves ; and aurea is a bright yellow f oliaged 

 variety ; while semperflorens flowers nearly the whole summer through. 

 R. hispida, the lovely North American Rose Acacia, is the most orna- 

 mental of the genus, and it is very beautiful towards midsummer, when 

 bearing its drooping racemes of rose-pink flowers. For villa-gardens, 

 or where space is restricted, this should not be lost sight of. Select a 

 sheltered spot for this Acacia, as the branches are rather brittle, and in 

 rough weather are apt to snap off. The variety named inermis is very 

 fine too. It is free in growth, with large leaves and delicately-coloured 

 flowers. R. neo-mexicana flowers in autumn, at which time it is very 

 distinct. Its rose-coloured blossoms are in dense racemes. R. Kelseyi 

 is a new introduction from North America. It assumes a tree-like habit, 

 and bears pretty rose-coloured flowers almost as large as those of R. 

 hispida. 



Romneya Coulter! (Cdlifornian Bush Poppy). Every gardener 

 almost tries to grow this beautiful shrubby plant, which has big, flimsy, 

 fluttering flowers of snowy white, with a centre of golden stamens. The 

 flowers are frequently over six inches across, and a strong plant will 

 bear many expanded at one time. It is not very hardy, but is frequently 

 quite happy in many gardens in the south of England. In the north it 

 should be grown indoors, and is well worthy of glass protection. A warm, 

 sheltered wall is a suitable place for it, and well-drained loamy soil 

 essential. Captain Coleridge, a good gardener at Twyford, in Berkshire, 

 says : " I leave the old growth as a protection during the winter, but as 

 soon as the new shoots appear at the base the old wood is cut down to 

 the ground like any other herbaceous plant." Writing in the summer of 

 1899, Captain Coleridge says that his largest plant had thirty-seven ex- 

 panded blooms besides numerous buds at one time. " When I planted 

 it eight years ago it was a very small plant. It was put in a warm 

 corner facing south-west, and it now covers ten feet of ground and is five 



