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ROYAL GARDENS 



most suitable, and success with many varieties has been very 

 encouraging. The rich fiery-scarlet flowered variety Paul 

 Crampel is planted very largely ; and when in bloom its strong 

 colour shows up well against the sombre grey buildings of 

 the old palace. In isolated beds on the lawns, too, it is very 

 effective. Another brilliant Pelargonium used here is a 

 variety called Constance, which is very free flowering, and 

 has long-stalked flowers of a rich rosy-pink with a white 

 eye. A large bed planted with this on the north lawn was 

 one of the features of the garden during the summer of 191 1. 

 Even when viewed from a distance of half a mile its colour 

 was easily detected. White flowers do not lend themselves 

 to employment here, owing to their easily becoming soiled 

 with soot. But Pelargonium Dr. Nansen, a desirable free- 

 flowering white, is utilised for introduction into certain 

 colour schemes. Flower-gardening often calls for the use 

 of some of the Pelargoniums with variegated foliage, and at 

 Holyrood they are usually massed together in groups of one 

 kind. Varieties used are such as Marshal MacMahon, with 

 gold and bronze leaves and scarlet flowers ; also a variety 

 with similar foliage called Harry Hieover ; while for filling 

 large circular beds on the lawn, we employ a charming 

 variety called Crystal Palace Gem, which is a bicolour, 

 with greenish-yellow leaves and bright scarlet flowers. Its 

 foliage assumes a lovely golden hue in summer, and it is not 

 only a robust grower but thrives well in an exposed position. 

 Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums are not largely planted owing to the 

 strong winds that sweep the garden. But an exception is 

 made in a variety called Galilee, which has a dwarf habit, 

 and produces double flowers of a soft pink colour in profusion. 

 In addition to the above named, other varieties, such as J. T. 

 Hamilton, Salmon Paul Crampel, and Chingford Rose, among 

 others, are planted. The different varieties of Pelargoniums 

 have been enumerated somewhat fully because they form the 

 great bulk of the plants used in filling the flower-beds, and 

 are annually planted in thousands. Only one variety is used 

 in each bed, as thereby a more uniform effect is secured on 



