Plate 9. 



PRIMULA JAPONICA, vak. LILACINA. 



The interest which Primula Japonica excited on its first introduction has in no way 

 abated ; and its grandeur as a fine decorative plant has been fully admitted. The only point 

 which has been mooted as a matter of doubt has been its hardiness ; but the evidence on 

 this point has been so conclusive, that we cannot think it to be any longer doubtful ; and 

 we believe it to have arisen from the fact that this, like many species of Primula, loses its 

 leaves somewhat in the winter, especially during severe weather. But this is no evidence 

 against its hardiness, as many of our most hardy primroses do the same. 



We mentioned, when figuring this plant in our former series, that there were several 

 varieties of it known to the Japanese, and that some of them had been exhibited by Mr. Bull. 

 One of the most beautiful of these is that which we now figure, where the bright magenta 

 colour of the original is replaced by a beautiful soft lilac : by many it will be thought to 

 be the more attractive of the two. 



We notice that a good deal of seed has been imported from J apan, and is now being 

 offered for sale. It is well to remember that the seeds are very uncertain as to their period 

 of germination, some of them not doing so until the second season, so that those who have 

 purchased seed would do well not to be hasty in emptying the seed pans. We hope that 

 during the present season this fine plant may be largely exhibited. 



Plate 10. 

 POSE— LORD ELDON. 



The singularly coloured rose which we now figure is one of a class in which we are 

 somewhat deficient — free-growing, free-flowering climbers, and will therefore, we believe, be 

 acceptable to those who, having walls with southern aspects, may be desirous of filling them 

 with ornamental flowering plants. Recently we have received some English contributions to 

 this class ; for in Mr. Knight's Princess Louise Victoria, and in Mr. George Paul's climbing 

 Victor Verdier, we have two excellent varieties of good habit ; and Lord Eldon may be 

 regarded, although in a different class, as a not unfitting companion. 



We are infoi'med by Messrs. Paul and Son, of Cheshunt, into whose hands the stock 

 has passed, that Lord Eldon was raised from seed by Mr. Coppin, of Shirley, near Croydon, 

 from Cloth of Gold Noisette, and resembles its parent in habit and constitution, but is a freer 

 bloomer. It will be useful as a coppery-coloured climber for a south wall, while its strong 

 sweet perfume will greatly recommend it. It will be seen from the drawing that it is not 

 an exhibition rose, being too loose in petal for that ; but for the purposes named it will be 

 well suited ; and it was, no doubt, on account of its very distinct colour that it received from 

 the Floral Committee of the Eoyal Horticultural Society the reward of a first-class certificate. 

 Mr. Coppin speaks highly of its merits, and if it grows freely in his light soil, we may 

 reasonably conclude that in richer and deeper soils it will grow more freely still. It will be 

 let out by Messrs. Paul and Son in May next. 



