Plate 255. 
PRIMULA VULGARIS “ ROSY MORN.” 
Pew Spring flowers of a perfectly hardy nature are more useful than the newer seedling 
forms of the native Primula acaulis of our woods and hedges, or of the hybrids which have 
originated by the cross-fertilization of that plant and the Cowslip [Primula veris ), whence 
were derived the long-scaped many-flowered Primroses or Polyanthuses, which have been 
for centuries the pride of our cottage gardeners in country districts. At the meeting of the 
Royal Horticultural Society, held on February 14th, Mr. R. Dean, of the Bedfont Nursery, 
sent a charming collection of these variable and highly tinted Primroses, the colours of 
which vary from white through all the shades of yellow, orange, pink, lilac, magenta, purple, 
and maroon, to rich crimson. Although perfectly hardy, and admirably adapted for planting 
in sunny positions on the margins of the lawn, or in the herbaceous border among early 
flowering bulbs; these plants perhaps never look more lovely than when grown in pots, and 
sheltered by a cold frame, or in a greenhouse where they are protected from rough winds 
and rain. Our plate is a representation of one of the new seedling forms raised and 
exhibited for the first time this season by Mr. Dean. 
Plate 256. 
VANDA CCERULESCENS. 
This is certainly one of the most pleasing of all the Vandas, being of neat yet vigorous 
habit of growth, and bearing its slender spikes of blue, purple-lipped flowers rather plenti¬ 
fully during the spring months. Even if compared with the much larger flowered V. ccerulea , 
its beauty is unimpaired, and if fully exposed to the light in a fresh atmosphere, its 
flowers acquire a more decided blue colour, a desirable tint indeed, seeing that it is such a 
rare one throughout the whole natural family of orchids. When well grown, plants of this 
species each bear several spikes, the individual flowers of which vary from ten to thirty. 
The plant grows freely in a well-drained compost of peat and sphagnum moss in a small 
pot, but a more successful plan is to plant it in a shallow teak-wood basket, using the 
before-named compost, and it should be suspended in a light and airy position. When 
making its growth a copious supply of tepid water is essential, and at no period of the year 
should the compost in which this or any other Vanda is grown be allowed to become quite 
dry. The plant was introduced to our gardens by Lieut.-Colonel Benson, some seven or 
eight years ago, and our drawing was made from a plant of the original importation in the 
collection of Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, at Chelsea. 
