372 



The Temple Wistaria {IV. multijugd). — 

 If not the best in colour, this is the most re- 

 markable of the Wistarias in its long flower- 

 clusters, reaching in some cases to over 4 feet. 

 It is not a new plant, having first come from 

 Japan in 1 874, but being shy in bloom while 

 young it remained almost unnoticed for many 

 years, though blooming at intervals since 1 879. 

 Beside being paler in colour the clusters are less 

 dense, with smaller flowers set openly even 

 from the top, where there is no "shoulder" as 

 in the massive clusters of chinensis. The flowers 

 are numerous and fragrant, openingabout three 

 weeks later than cliinensis, and in several shades 

 of deep and paler lilac according to the variety. 

 The length of the clusters varies much both 

 hereandin Japan, where manykinds are grown 

 with garden names, and long-trailed sorts are 

 used with charming effect around their native 

 temples and in other places of resort, to over- 

 hang water, or drooping from the eaves of 

 country houses in curtain-like profusion. These 

 best kinds are too much valued in Japan to be 

 imported freely, nor is it certain they would 

 bloom equally well in this country, but our 

 engraving shows what this Wistaria can do in 

 Surrey, and other good plants are now not 

 wanting in which the measured clusters have 

 sometimes exceeded 4 feet, with as many as 

 136 flowers in one cluster. Even when not in 

 bloom IV. multijuga may be known by its smaller 

 and less hairy leaflets which in autumn turn 

 a clear yellow much earlier than in other kinds. 

 This is doubtless due to the early winter of its 

 real home, for it is not a native of Japan but 

 Northern China, and is hardier than the Wis- 

 tarias from further south. For British gardens 

 this is another merit, so that if less brilliant 

 its distinct growth and graceful habit make it 

 of real value, particularly in its finer forms. 

 Amongst these is alba with white flowers, very 

 pretty, but not always pure ; rosea, a new kind 

 with rosy-lilac flowers said to be a pretty pale 

 rose while in bud ; and Russe/liana, shown last 

 year before the Royal Horticultural Society 

 by Mr. Russell, of Richmond, and awarded a 

 certificate of merit. Its flowers are darker than 

 is common, with large creamy-white blotches 

 on the inner face of the petals. At Kew there 

 is an unnamed variety with shorter and denser 

 clusters. It is, however, to gardens of Japan, 

 where the plant has been cherished for gene- 



rations, that we must look for the finest forms 

 of Wistaria multijuga. Syn. W. grandijlora. 



B. 



A Good Rock Plant. — [To the Editor of 

 j Flora.] Sir, — While stopping on the Cornish 

 coast I was very much struck with the beauty 

 of the common "Ladies' Fingers" [Anthyllis 

 Vulneraria), which grows in great profusion 

 I in the short grass on the cliffs. The common 

 form found in many parts of England is a 

 pretty plant, but the dwarf form from Corn- 

 wall would be more useful in cultivation and 

 make a good plant for the rock-garden. It 

 grows close to the ground, in some places 

 forming the whole of the turf for a few yards. 

 In colour the flowers vary greatly. The most 

 striking shade is a bright crimson, a true red 

 without any tinge of blue. Then there are 

 varying shades of pink which pass through a 

 pretty form, combining both pink and yellow, 

 into a pure cream colour, and a yellow form 

 which varies a good deal. Sometimes it is 

 bright lemon-yellow, sometimes a fine dull 

 yellow, and more rarely a form nearly pure 

 white occurs. Such a beautiful plant should 

 be more used in our gardens. — Yours truly, 

 Frank Savery. 



RIDES IN BEECH WOODS. 



The oneness of effect in Beech woods calls for 

 bold and airy rides for use in all ways, and not 

 least, for beauty of effect. The mixed wood 

 may give variety, but where we have nothing 

 else and the soil allows of no other trees, some 

 find the Beech monotonous, though with care 

 as to the lines of rides the result is beautiful at 

 all seasons of the year. In the making of these 

 main rides the earth lines should be of easiest 

 grade ; they should cross the main mass of the 

 wood, lead to fine groups, command views of 

 the surrounding country ; they should be dry 

 and pleasant to walk upon in all weathers ; in 

 wet places have "dicks" at each side to keep 

 the body of the ride dry; have all bad hollows 

 filled and the surface to be of turf or fallen 

 leaves. Eighteen feet is a good width for a ride, 

 not less. Where a group of trees or other inci- 

 dent makes the ride a little wider here and 

 there it is all the better as preventing stiffness 

 of line. Where "dicks" are made in wet places 

 they should be made outside the 18 feet ride. 

 With such airy rides the tall trees that border 



