POPULAE GARDEN PLANTS. 



499 



race with B. multicolor, from Sumatra, a flori- 

 ferons species with narrow leaves and somewhat 

 small but brilliant flowers of different colours. 



Ensign. Salmon -red toned with scarlet. 

 Latona. Flowers in lax trusses, cream -yellow. 

 Mrs. Heal. Pure white, 2 inches in diameter. 

 Neptune. Flowers brilliant scarlet. 

 Nestor. Light-buff tinted with rose. 



Fig. 605.— Rhododendron— Souvenir de J. H. Mangles, 



Numa. Compact globose trusses, bright orange-red. 

 Nysa. Clear orange-yellow faintly tinted with rose. 

 Ruby. Dark coral-red, compact trusses. 



Richardia. — For upwards of a century B. 

 africana, the Calla or Arum Lily, has been cul- 

 tivated in gardens. At rare intervals other 

 species have been introduced, but none of them 

 became popular until after the advent of two 

 yellow-spathed species in the early nineties. As 

 the value of these two plants became known, 

 attention was given to the earlier introductions, 

 with the result that seven species are now fairly 

 common. 



Like many other genera of Aroidese, the true 

 flowers are inconspicuous, but they are sur- 

 rounded by a large, usually handsome, spathe, 



which is popularly known as the flower. Pro- 

 viding ordinary care is given, little trouble 

 will be found in cultivation, but to obtain 

 large, well -developed, clean spathes, generous 

 treatment must be afforded. B. africana 

 is the hardiest, and in places where severe 

 winters are not experienced, is a success 

 when used as a semi- 

 aquatic plant on the mar- 

 gins of lakes or streams. 

 In some parts of Cornwall 

 it has become naturalized 

 in the rich mud of lakes, 

 where it increases with 

 rapidity, and in summer 

 bears quantities of large 

 glistening white spathes. 

 In less-favoured localities 

 it requires the protection 

 of a greenhouse or frame 

 for the winter and spring. 

 When potted, a mixture of 

 good loam, two parts, and 

 rotten manure, one part, 

 with a little sand, should 

 be used. Abundance of 

 water is required during 

 growth, with frequent ap- 

 plications of manure-watei 

 when well rooted. By thin- 

 ning out the weak shoots 

 much finer spathes can be 

 had. The flowering period 

 indoors is from October to 

 May, out-of-doors from 

 May to October. In addi- 

 tion to the type there are 

 several named forms, such 

 as Little Gem, with leaves 

 and spathes less than a 

 intermediate in size; and 

 gigantea, with extra-sized spathes. 



The newer species require more heat, an 

 intermediate temperature being suitable. Like 

 the former they require liberal feeding, but the 

 potting material should be lighter, manure being 

 replaced by leaf-mould or peat. They should 

 rest in the winter, be started into growth in 

 February, and flowered during summer. All 

 can be readily propagated by division. 



The following are the species in cultivation, 

 all are South African :— 



R. africana {azthiopica), 2 to 3 feet high, leaves sagittate, 

 the blades often 1 foot or more long. Spathe on stout 

 scape well above leaves, pure white, 5 to 10 inches long 

 surrounding an erect yellow spadix. 



foot high; compacta, 



