BEGONIA. 



203 



Begonias with Ornamental Foliage. 

 These, if hybrids axe excepted (of which B. decora, Fig. 136, is a beautiful type), belong 

 principally to the Eex group. B. Eex, Assam, is stcmlcss, forming fleshy rhizomes. 

 The leaf stalks are round, red, and hairy. Leaves 8 to 12 inches long and G to 8 inches 

 wide. Margins toothed, surface 

 dark olive green, with a metallic 

 lustre, a broad silvery zone running 

 all round. From this grand species 

 have originated numerous more or 

 less distinct and beautiful varieties. 

 The essentials for cultivation are 

 healthy root action in generous 

 soil, such as turfy loam with a 

 fourth part of leaf soil and sufficient 

 crushed charcoal and sand to secure 

 porosity ; copious supplies of water 

 in the summer and comparative 

 dryness in winter; a cool stove 

 temperature and a shaded posi- 

 tion. They luxuriate when planted 

 on the shaded side of rockeries, in 

 warm structures, and form a magni- 

 ficient undergrowth for palms and 

 tree ferns. The leaves of some, if 

 not most, varieties are injured by 

 hot sun and frequent syringing. 



Begonia Ensign. (Veitch.) 



Selection of Ornamental Foliaged Begonias. 

 The following selection of varieties has been made from the collection of Messrs. H. 

 Cannell & Sons, Swanley. 



Eex Begonias. 



Adrian Schmidt. — Silver, narrow flesh edge. 

 Amazone.— Mottled silver and green, edged deeper. 

 B. McGregor.— Silver, narrow green edge. 

 Chas. Hovey. — Very dark green, slightly marbled 

 white. 



Cherubin. — Pea green mottled white. 



Comtesse de Louise Erdody. — Silver, green veins, 



broad lake margin. 

 Etoile D'Argent. — Silver, dark base with deeper 



margin. 



