860 



THE GARDENERS' MAGAZINE. 



November 9, 1912. 



THE COLUTEAS. 



The genus coliitea is composed of a few 

 species of strong-growing shrubs of the 

 easiest possible culture, natives jchiefly of 

 Southern Europe and Asia Minor. The 

 popular name of Bladder Senna is often 

 applied indiscriminately to all the species, 

 though it appears to have originally been 

 used in connection with C. arborescens 

 only. This name was apparently suggested 

 by the bladder-like fruits, and by the leaves 



pended on to blossom well, and be interest- 

 ing afterwards by reason of their curiously- 

 inflated, parchment-like seed-pods. The 

 wilder parts of the garden are more appro- 

 priate for them than prominent positions 

 on lawns, for there are many neater 

 shrubs. Therefore care should be taken 

 not to make them too conspicuous. When 

 left unattended^ they form large and fairly 

 dense bushes, but the most flowers and 

 largest seed-pods are obtained from plants 

 which are cut back annually in spring. 



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COLdTEA ISTREA. 



An interesting species, remarkable for the large size of its bladder-like fruits 



possessing properties akin to those of the 

 true senna, which is the dried leaves of 

 various speeies of cassia. 



The principal use to which the coluteas 

 are put is that of garden decoration, al- 

 though they are of value in the reclaiming 

 of poor and waste ground ; for it has been 

 found that the stronger-growing kinds are 

 among the ea.sif«t shrubs to establish on 

 the waste heaps near collieries, than which 

 It would be difficult to find more unlikely 

 material for plant growth. For shrubberV 

 planting, the coluteas niav be used foV 

 town or country, and they may be de- 



hich 



These produce very vigorous shoots 

 blossom well. 



The commonest species is C. arborescens, 

 a native of the Mediterranean region It 

 IS said to have been grown in this countrv 

 for about 3o0 years. It is well known L 

 a bu*^ from 8 to 12ft. high, with long 

 pinnate, rather glaucous, leaves yellow 

 pea-shaped flowers, and fruits from 2 to 

 3,in long, and from 1 to 2iin. wide. A 

 <;*.u]>le of varieties are attribute<l to it 

 lH.se are cnspa, with smaller leaves, which 

 have wrinkled margins ; and bullata, a 

 stiff-growing plant, of stunted appearaW 



gular habitj 



which is only of value on account of its 



for it blossoms indiffer- 

 ently . 



C. cilicica ha^ much in common with the 

 last-named. A difference may be observed 

 in the flowers, however, for in this ca«e 

 the wing petals exceed the keel petals in 

 length ; while in C. arborescens the reverse 

 is the case. It is a native of Asia Minor 

 and is sometimes called C. longialata. c' 

 cruenta, an Oriental species, has rather 

 small, rounded leaflets, and brownish 

 flowers ; and it is really more decorative 

 than the type. 



An illustration of the fruits of C. istria 

 accompanies this note, and gives a good 

 idea of what a plant covered with mature 

 fruits looks like. It belongs to Asia Minor 

 and is distinguished by its email glaucous 

 leaflets, and brownish or copper-coloured 

 flowers, a certain resemblance being notice- 

 able between it and C. cruenta. Like 

 most of the other species, it has several 

 synonyms, of Avhich one of the beet known 

 is C. halepica. Although one or two other 

 kinds are known, these are the most dis- 

 tinct for general planting. 



W. Dalltmore- 



NEW PLANTS. 



4- 



CEROPEGIA THORNCEOFTI. 



A very 

 Transvaal, 

 clusters. 

 l|in. long 

 along the 

 the top, w 

 colour is 

 t. 8,458. 



curious twining plant from the 

 The flowers are in small axillarv 

 Individually the blooms are about 

 3 inflated at the base, cylindrical 

 middle, and with curved lobes at 

 hich are connate at the tips. The 

 white and purple. ''Bot. Mag./' 



OSMANTHUS DELAVAYI. 



A pretty, hardy evergreen shrub from the 

 mountains of Lankong, in Yunnan. It is 

 freely branched, and has small deep green 

 leaves that are sharply serrated along the 

 margins. The small white flower^ are car- 

 ried in terminal clusters, and they are quite 

 fragrant, "Bot. Mag.," t. 8,459. 



EILSHOLTZIA STAUNTONI. 



A Chinese plant bearing considerable re- 

 semblance to a veronica. It is hardy, and 

 fornit^ a shrub 4ft. to 5ft. high, with broadly, 

 lanceolate, acuminate leaves. The rose- 

 purple flowers form a dense erect spike from 

 3in. to 6in. long. Should prove a useful plant 

 for pleasure grounds or the semi- wild garden. 

 "Bot. Mag.," t. 8,460. 



FURCR.^A ELEGANS. 



A Mexican 



the 



plant closely allied to 

 agaves. The spine-tipped leaves are some- 

 times ae much as 8ft. long, while the in- 

 florescence may rise to a height of 25ft. The 

 flowers are about 2iin. across, pale green, 

 shaded with brown on the outside. *'Bot. 

 Mag.," t. 8,461. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 



Gladiator. — A large and elegant single 

 variety, with rich red flowers, and a narrow 

 yellow zone round the disk. Commendation. 



N.C.S., October 29. Mr. Thos. Page, Hamp- 

 ton. 



very beautiful and refined 

 Japanese variety, of show siz_. 

 mg florets are buff, freely suffused with rosy- 

 bronze. F.C.C., N.C.S. October 29. Messrs. 

 J. Stredwick and Son, St. Leonards. 



Miss Thelma Hartman.— A very large and 

 shapely incurved variety that promises well 

 for exhibition purposes. The colour is blush. 

 F,C.C., N.C.S.. October 29, Mr. W. Jinks, 

 lhames Ditton. 



Mi^^s N. IJoin-r.— A l)eautiful pink single 

 variety, previously dcscrilxHi. Commenda- 

 tion for colour, N.C.S. , Octnl.or 2<). Mr. 

 Miapnuui, gardener to L. F Harrison, K^q*» 

 Orchards, luist Grinetead. 



Ivernia. — A 



and 

 The droop- 



