Plate 283. 



NEW DWARF LARKSPUR, "EARL OE YERULAM." 



This brilliant new annual has been obtained through careful selection by Messrs. F. 

 Sander and Co., Seed Growers, St. Albans. It grows to the height of from four to five 

 inches only, forming a compact round bush, and throwing up its spikes of flower from July 

 until October. The flower-spikes are singularly compact, and handsome in appearance ; the 

 guard petals are of a bright hue of ultramarine blue, with a pleasing violent purple centre. 



This striking novelty is particularly adapted for massing or for edging purposes ; in 

 either case it will form a conspicuous feature. The seed should be sown in early spring, 

 and it commences to flower the latter part of June, continuing in perfection until destroyed 

 by the frosts of autumn. The centre spikes are a little higher than the side spikes, which 

 imparts to the plant a symmetrical and pleasing appearance. 



When the seedlings are large enough, the plants require to be thinned out to eight 

 inches or so apart ; and when fully grown, the plants will meet and form a dense mass or 

 complete ribbon line, accordingly as they are used. The constitution of the plant being 

 good, it stands storm and rain, maintaining the lustre of the blossoms throughout the 

 summer. 



Plate 284. 

 IXORA FORMOSA. 



Several fine and distinct new forms of these highly-esteemed free-blooming stove plants 

 have been introduced of late ; such as Amabilis, Colei, Fraseri, Prince of Orange, Regina, 

 Williamsii, etc., and all have been gladly welcomed for their valuable decorative qualities. 

 Some fine species have been introduced from the East Indies and other places, such as 

 amboyensis, coccinea, javanica, salicifolia, etc., and from these several interesting garden 

 hybrids have been obtained. 



That now figured was raised by Mr. John Fraser, Lea Bridge Road Nurseries, Leyton, 

 and is a seedling from javanica crossed with coccinea or some other species. It is quite 

 distinct in colour from all other Ixoras, and its compact, dwarf and free -blooming habit, 

 combined with clean, healthy foliage, will insure for it a place in all select collections of 

 plants. It is a variety to rely upon for furnishing a good head of bloom almost at any 

 season of the year ; the period of flowering being regulated by the time of stopping the 

 shoots. The flowers are large and the trusses of bloom exceedingly fine. It was awarded 

 a First-Class Certificate of merit by the Floral Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society 

 in August last. Ixora Fraseri, I. Williamsii, and others were raised at the Lea Bridge Road 

 Nurseries ; but I. formosa is the favourite of the raiser on account of its beautiful soft hue 

 of colour, and pleasing habit. With such a plethora of fine new foliaged plants, a thoroughly 

 good flowering plant like that now figured is all the more acceptable to plant cultivators. 



