DELPHINIUMS. 
41 
twiggy habit, covered with dazzling scarlet flowers. There are several 
varieties of this pretty species. One of the best known is aurantiacum 
with orange-yellow flowers, and D. nudicaule purpureum with flowers of 
a delightful shade of deep rose-purple. The entire stock of this new 
variety is in the hands of a Continental nurseryman and not yet 
distributed. 
D. grandiflorum and its varieties are immensely popular, and 
justly so, and if given a congenial spot and a little attention are objects 
of the greatest beauty. They are easily grown in any well-drained spot, 
taking care always that they have a copious supply of water during 
the very dry weather. They form neat bushes of attractive foliage 
smothered with large well-formed flowers, pretty shades of gentian- 
blue, sky-blue, plum, and purest white, both singles and doubles, all 
growing under 18 inches and most easily raised from seed. If sown 
in their permanent quarters and carefully thinned out, will flower 
the first year. 
I am working up a large stock of a very remarkable break that 
occurred in my garden during 1914. This variety when established 
will grow 3J to 4 feet high, and branching in a way that reminds one 
of Delphinium ' Persimmon,' but with the characteristic root stock of 
Delphinium grandiflorum. 
D. Nuttalli, a handsome North American tuberous-rooted species, 
well worth cultivating on the rockery or any well-selected spot in the 
border, growing about 18 inches high, with neat branching spikes of pure 
white flowers having a conspicuous blue blotch on the upper segment. 
D. vestitum is not well known in the garden, but is a distinct and 
handsome species from the Himalaya. The flowers are somewhat 
small, but of such a deep purple-blue that, together with their black 
stems and centres, they make a striking feature towering up amongst 
the other herbaceous plants. It is also valuable because it flowers 
later than the florist's varieties. 
D. trolliifolium should be grown for the sake of its glossy handsome 
leaves and rich blue flowers, produced in great profusion at the end 
of May and before many of the family are in bloom. 
D. elatum, from the Alps of Central Europe, is not very showy, as 
too often the flowers are of a slaty blue. 
Many interesting species have been introduced lately from China. 
Mr. George Forrest, writing in the Gardeners' Chronicle on 
September 9, 191 6, states that the higher Alps of North- Western 
Yunnan towards the Tibetan frontier are the homes of many beautiful 
species ranging from 4 inches to 6 feet, and their colour range is very 
great, from the palest blue to deep rich purple, and in some species 
white. However, the gems that are most likely to prove of the 
greatest horticultural value are amongst those of the lesser stature. 
One of the most attractive that has come under my notice is D. 
likiangense. This beautiful Alpine species is now well established in 
the famous Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, growing 12 inches to 15 inches 
high, and forming symmetrical tufts of finely divided glossy [ green 
