HORTICULTURAL JOURNAL. 147 



The centre may be occupied with a pedestal and dial, surrounded with a 

 small roekwork overrun with suitable plants. A better effect will be obtain- 

 ed if excavated in the form of a basin, supplied with water from a jet rising 

 in the centre. This will depend upon the facilities for a constant supply of 

 water. Many beautiful aquatic plants could be kept in a basin of this de- 

 scription. The edging of box must be kept closely trimmed ; if allowed to 

 get large its effect and use are de§tro} T ed. Where a small piece of ground is 

 set apart exclusively for flower culture, designs similar to the above give it 

 at once a distinctive character, and is the most economical with regard to the 

 filling of the ground. . Wm. Saunders. 



NEW OR RARE PLANTS, 



FLOWERED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON, AT SPRINGBROOK. 



No. V. 



When I commenced these notices, I had no idea that any one would sup- 

 pose me to intend to notice only those recently introduced from their native 

 places of growth; yet I have been asked in another journal by what right I 

 have included Mhodostemma gardenoides in my remarks. So far as I can 

 judge by an extensive perusal of the catalogues and advertisements of the 

 leading nurserymen, and by ocular advantages in the leading establish- 

 ments, there is not another plant in America besides our own. If not, and 

 our plant is just imported into America, it is new. If it does exist, it is lit- 

 tle known, and therefore rare. In either case it comes under the head I have 

 chosen to remark upon. I aim at usefulness, making no pretensions to ab- 

 solute knowledge. As we aim in this establishment at possessing all beau- 

 tiful novelties as soon as they can be obtained, I had an idea that my failures 

 or successes in their cultivation, or my experience of their value or worth - 

 lessness might benefit some of the readers of the "Florist." With this "de- 

 claration of my intentions" I will proceed to describe. 



Caladium BICOLOR. This plant has been in cultivation in the English 

 gardens nearly eighty years, and in this country it has existed in some col- 

 lections under the name of Arum discolor for a long time. It is not near 

 so common as it ought to he. It has been here three years, and recently 

 flowered for the first time with us. The leaves alone give it attraction; they 

 are ovate, about 9 inches long by 6 wide, and are of a rosy-pink color, with 

 a border about half an inch of pale green. When a leaf is put under water 

 it presents a beautiful changeable silvery appearance. The flowers are spa- 

 thaceous, like all the Arum family, about 8 inches long by 2 wide ; it is of a 

 pure waxy white, with the spadix or central column of male flowers straw 



