Clapham — Mr. Groom. 165 



more splendid plants have been lately introduced. Their 

 cultivation is simple. Like all similar bulbs, they dislike 

 frequent removal, as they retain all the roots which are not 

 annual but perejinial ; and when these are destroyed the 

 bulbs suffer. A cold frame is a sufficient protection for the 

 roots, and we are not sure but they may be able to stand our 

 winters in the open ground ; this, however, cannot be safely 

 tried till they are more plentiful than at present. They are 

 increased in various ways ; but that which appears the safest 

 and best is earthing up the stems, to induce them to throw 

 out bulbs at the base of the leaves ; this is the mode prac- 

 tised by Mr. Groom. The soil best suited to them is a mix- 

 ture of heath soil, leaf mould and sand. 



Among the new plants we saw the elegant Veronica 

 speciosa, in full bloom ; and its dense heads of brilliant pur- 

 ple flowers, and its thick fleshy leaves, formed one of the 

 finest plants of late introduction. It is a greenhouse plant, 

 from New Holland, and flowers freely from July to Decem- 

 ber. The new Achimenes picta was finely in bloom, and 

 also hirsuta, with rosy spotted flowers. Gloxin/a variegata, 

 with deep purplish blue bell-shaped flowers, was blooming 

 abundantly. G. tubiflora is another new and fine species, 

 with beautiful white flowers resembling an Achimenes. 

 Other new plants, were Ceanothus divaricatus, a beautiful 

 shrubby plant, with spikes of blue flowers, Abutilon Bedford- 

 idnnm,, Corree'a Cavendish ^^, Pimelea arenarea, Centradenia 

 rosea, Chorizema varium nana and C. varium rotundifolia, 

 both of handsome dwarf habit, Brachysema platiptera, Ri- 

 gideh'a flammea, &.c. The petunias and fuchsias had been 

 very showy, but were now past their prime. Of the former, 

 we have already given a list, (Vol. X. p. 377) ; among the 

 latter, Stanwell^a?^a, exoiiiensis, Britannia, majestica and 

 Chauvierw were the most distinct and pretty. Many other 

 new plants, as well as many kinds of pelargoniums, filled a 

 great number of frames. 



In the garden, we saw a small patch of plants of a pure 

 white variety, of Phlox Drummondii, quite an acquisition ; 

 and though not to be compared with the rich crimson shades 

 which are found in the dark varieties, still, as forming a con- 

 trast, exceedingly desirable ; its origin we could not ascer- 



