412 Floricultural and Botanical Notices. 



the hybrids, and many others. Cloth of Gold has been so 

 cut up for propagation that we did not see it in bloom. It 

 still maintains its reputation and commands a good price. 



Gesner'm zebrina. — The beautiful tribe of gesnerias is 

 scarcely known among our collections of plants : this arises 

 probably from the fact that nearly or quite all of them are 

 stove plants, and will not do well in the greenhouse. This 

 is an error; their general season of blooming is in the au- 

 tumn, and our summers are quite warm enough to grow 

 them well, while, in the climate of England, they need the 

 aid of the hothouse. Among the many new kinds lately 

 introduced, G. zebrina is particularly beautiful, not only in 

 the flowers but in the foliage, and withal it is much hardier 

 than the others. It has even withstood greenhouse treat- 

 ment the year round ; and as to its great elegance we can 

 say that we have seen it in many collections beautifully in 

 bloom. This species, as well as several others, should be 

 found in all good collections of plants. 



Veronica specibsa. — The tribe of veronicas is well known 

 from the many species which are hardy herbaceous plants 

 of our gardens. F. speciosa is a half shrubby evergreen 

 species, with thick stems and bright green leaves, throwing 

 up dense spikes of deep purplish flowers at the axils of the 

 leaves, near the ends of the shoots. It is a most desirable 

 greenhouse plant, blooming freely, and forming a compact 

 and pretty object. A description of it has already been 

 given in our current volume, but we have not the copy at 

 hand to quote the page. It is a most valuable addition to 

 greenhouse collections. 



Passi flora frdgrans. — In the collection of Messrs Rolli- 

 sons, of Tooting, we saw this species in flower; it is a very 

 fragrant and handsome kind. It only requires the temper- 

 ature of the greenhouse, and possesses a strong habit, and 

 a good foliage, covering in a short time a column or pillar, 

 or running up the rafters of the house. For a bouquet it is 

 very desirable, from its delicate order. 



The genus Echites has received a beautiful addition in 

 the F. carassa, a superb specimen of which was exhibited 

 at the last meeting of the London Hort. Soc. It is fully 

 equal in beauty to the others. The flowers are of a deep 

 rich rose, with a stripe of yellow in the throat. The foliage 

 is neat, and the habit good. E. splendens is still command- 

 ing the high price of two guineas. 



