166 
FLORICULTURAL NOTICES. 
to the culture of new plants, has recently undergone a rapid and decided advance- 
ment. 
Lobelia MIllerii. Hybridization has now been carried to a great extent 
with Lobelias, and the species here named is one of the most showy results that 
we have yet met with. Having long, broad, and excellent foliage, an erect, bold, 
and luxuriant habit, and rich purple flowers, it forms a splendid object when in 
full bloom, which is now the case with a plant in the possession of Messrs. Hen- 
derson. It is related to L, speciosa, (which, indeed, is one of its parents,) and 
grows to the height of from two to three feet, with an indefinite number of 
stems. 
Lobelia ramosa. Altogether different in character from the two species just 
registered, this interesting plant is more nearly related to L. heterophylla, having 
flowers of a very similar form and colour. From this, however, it is sufficiently 
removed by its much more branching tendency, by the leaves being larger and 
hairy, and the whole plant completely clothed with very conspicuous hairs. It is, 
moreover, less diffuse than L. heterophylla, and better adapted for all kinds of 
ornamental effect. We believe it to have been obtained originally from the Swan 
River colony. The Epsom nursery at present contains some very showy flowering 
plants. 
Phaius bIcolor. Like the rest of the genus, this species is remarkable for 
its deep green foliage, and highly healthy appearance. With the usual form of 
pseudo bulbs and leaves common to its allies, it is specifically marked by its large 
yellow flowers, the labellum of which is pure white ; thus presenting, as implied 
by the name, a combination of hue which, though not particularly striking, is not 
lacking in interest. Messrs. Loddiges haTe a well-grown plant now blossoming 
in their orchidaceous house. 
Platycodon grandifl5rus. The propensity of botanists to multiply the 
names of a plant, has been strangely exhibited in reference to our present subject. 
Primarily it was known as Campanula grandiflora, and this is yet the name 
most usually employed, but it was subsequently constituted a distinct genus under 
the title of Wahlenbergia pendula, and M. de Candolle has more recently bestowed 
upon it the designation which heads this notice. It is yet much rarer than it 
deserves to be, seldom being met with in private gardens. The very deep blue 
colour of its flowers, and their extraordinary size, associated with its dwarf habi- 
tude, render it an admirable border plant. Our attention was directed to it in the 
nursery grounds of Messrs. Henderson, where its splendid flowers are now exhibit- 
ing themselves in great perfection. 
Salvia confertjflora. Since the introduction of the much admired S. patens, 
another species, bearing the above name, has been received from Mexico, and a 
plant in the Epsom nursery is now opening its flowers. Unlike S. patens, it 
appears to produce only a single stem, this being peculiarly exuberant and stately, 
and the leaves, especially, growing to an unusual size. It is at present nearly 
