404 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



[ November 21, 1S72. 



and well drained; allow the plant to be somewhat elevated 

 above the riin, then place a layer of moss on the surface, 

 which will give the whole a neat and finished appearance. 



I shall confine my remaining remarks to some of the most 

 notable and desirable species. 



D. nobile is so well known that it needs no comment, save 

 that, as in most eases, if grown in a hanging basket, its 

 flowers are seen to a much greater advantage than when the 

 plant is in a pot and tied up with sticks. 



D. Linawianum (D. moniliforme of gardens) is similar to 

 the above. The flowers, however, are rather smaller, but not 

 less effective, and then - being produced in winter greatly en- 

 hances the value of the plant, which should make one in every 

 collection. 



D. lieterocarpum is another species well worthy of attention. 

 This also flowers in winter. A plant now in flower has pro- 

 duced sevente'en blooms from one growth. It is not so attrac- 

 tive as some of the species, still its lasting properties, as well 

 as its being deliciously fragrant, should at once make it a 

 favourite. If placed in a cool house it will continue in per- 

 fection from six to eight weeks. 



D. macrophyllum. — A plant in flower will scent the air with 

 an odour resembling druggists' rhubarb. The flowers are of 

 a rosy pink with darker veins. It blooms in spring, lasting 

 about a fortnight in perfection. 



D. macrophyllum giganteum is a magnificent vaiiety, with 

 flowers much larger than the above, in colour light rose and 

 purple. It has a similar odour to the preceding. 



D. lasioglossum , from Burmah, is one of the most splendid 

 forms of the genus. The flowers are produced in clusters on 

 the young growth at the same time as the foliage ; they are 

 ivory white, slightly broken with rosy purple, and present an* 

 extremely chaste and beautiful appearance. — C. J. White. 



PERMANENCE OF STANDARD ROSES. 

 In 1835 I planted in my garden a standard Baronne Preyost 

 Rose. In 1842 I removed it, also in 1860. In 1871, the past 

 year, I again removed it in November. I am well pleased to say 

 it is in good health and doing well, having given a profusion 

 of bloom during the summer to the admiration of all. It may 

 be seen in my garden at the present time, thirty-seven years 

 old, and from its appearance it will yet last many years. — 

 Heney Edwards, Buck Hyde Gardens, St. Albans. 



HARDY GEMS.— No. 6. 



Schizostyms coccinea. — In this we have a really hardy and 

 beautiful plant. It was introduced about 1863 from Caffraria, 

 where it seems to be widely distributed. For some time I was 

 doubtful if it would withstand the rigours of our winters, but 

 its having done so for the last four seasons leaves no further 

 room to doubt. It attains a height of some 3 feet ; the leaves 

 are sword-shaped, and arranged in a distichous manner ; in 

 fact, it resembles a dwarf Gladiolus in its general outline. 

 The flower-spike is distichous, bearing from twelve to fourteen 

 flowers of a bright crimson colour, upwards of 2 inches in 

 diameter, and resembling those of Tritonia aurea in shape, 

 but having broader lobes. 



Palaeoxia Hookeeiana. — I have not seen this beautiful Com- 

 posite for some time; nevertheless, having now obtained a little 

 seed, I hope to be successful with it. It was named by Torrey 

 and Gray after that distinguished botanist, the late Sir William 

 J. Hooker. It usually grows from 3 to 4 feet in height ; the 

 leaves are alternate, entire, and some 3 inches in length, some- 

 what rough on the upper, but smooth on the under side ; the 

 flowers are produced in many-headed corymbs, and are rosy 

 pink or red, coming into beauty about the end of July and 

 in August. It thrives in an ordinary border, but the ground 

 should be well drained. Native of Texas, Arkansas, <&c. 



Anemone ANonLOSA. — This lovely mountain gem belongs to 

 the section of this genus known by the name of Hepaticas ; and 

 although we are told by our botanical authorities that the dis- 

 tinctive character of this section as a genus has broken down, 

 it will still retain its hold upon amateurs who grow these 

 really charming plants. This is a robust-growing species, 

 much larger than any other Hepatica, and its flowers, which 

 are very large, are of an intense azure blue. Its blooming 

 season is March and April, and its home is in the mountains 

 of Transylvania. 



Anemone palmata is a very scarce and at the same time 

 very beautiful species. It is a native of the high mountains of 



Spain, and usually attains a height of 8 or 9 inches. The 

 leaves are reniform, rich deep green, whilst the very large 

 flowers are shining golden yellow, and produced during April 

 and May. phh v 



Anemone apennina.— This [veritable gem of our British 

 woodlands should find a place in every garden, where, once 

 established, it forms during March and April a dense carpet of 



large vivid blue flowers, 

 which at that early sea- 

 son are enchanting, 

 especially if grouped 

 with Snowdrops and 

 similar subjects. 



Anemone eanuncu- 

 loides. — In general ap- 

 pearance this resembles 

 the preceding. It grows 

 about the same height, 

 but blooms in April and 

 May, whilst its flowers 

 are of a rich bright 

 yellow colour. 



Anemone yeenalis 

 grows about a foot high ; 

 flowers large, white, 

 slightly suffused with 

 purple on the outside, 

 whilst the calyx is cloth- 

 ed with long brownish 

 soft hairs. It comes 

 from the mountains of 

 Norway, and blooms 

 with us during April and 

 May. 



Anemone baldensis. 

 — This rare plant is well 

 deserving of more gene- 

 ral cultivation. It sel- 

 dom exceeds 6 inches in 

 height, and is distin- 

 guished by its deeply 

 divided leaves. The 

 flowers are large, pure white within, whilst outside they are 

 tinged with bluish purple. It blooms in April and May. Native 

 of the Swiss Alps. 



All these Alpine Anemones delight in rich deep loam, if 

 sandy so much the better, and it must be well drained. The 

 plants also succeed best in sunny open spots. — Expeeto CBEnE, 



Anemone ranunctiloides. 



FORCING SEA-KALE. 



It is difficult to answer " X.'s " query as to which is the 

 best way to force Sea-kale roots as advertised. Hardly any- 

 thing else would better pay the purchaser than good roots 

 so advertised. If put at once, in soil or in pots in any dark 

 place with a temperature of from 50° to 60°, a good return 

 would be secured, and the Sea-kale would be all the better 

 from the heat not being too strong. The finest Sea-kale is 

 obtained in a temperature under rather than above 60°, though 

 it must have about that temperature to bring it dwarf, com- 

 pact, and succulent, not long-legged, but averaging from 4 to 

 6 or 7 inches in length, the last the longest that ever ought 

 to be sent to the cook. 



Waving the particular case of " X.," I would say, in the first 

 place, that I have never seen finer Sea-kale than that which 

 was grown in a close box in a kitchen, and as the heads came 

 too fast the cook just moved the box farther from the fire. 

 The box was 18 inches wide, 30 inches long, and 18 inches 

 deep, and was covered on the top. I could not tell the number 

 of dishes obtained from two such boxes. The getting of the 

 roots was real economy. Besides a little watering at first, 

 and keeping light out, little more was necessary to have this 

 fine vegetable all through the winter months. 



I have already described how some have had Rhubarb in 

 their kitchens all the winter, and the same thing could be 

 done with Sea-kale with just a little more trouble to keep light 

 out, which could be easily done with a close covering. Any 

 cellar or other place will grow Sea-kale in the winter months 

 to perfection where darkness can be combined with a tempe- 

 rature of from 55° to 60°. 



For encouragement let me state that fine stubby Sea-kale, 

 as good as the finest I ever saw in Covent Garden, was pro- 



