•212 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
are so freely produced as to present the appearance of dense cushions 
of bloom. It is certainly a very interesting novelty and a most valuable 
bedder. This was exhibited at a recent meeting of the Eoyal Horti- 
cultural Society, by Messrs. Dixon and Co., Amhurst Nurseries, 
Anton Street, Hackney, and it excited a considerable amount of 
interest, and had the distinction of a first-class certificate conferred 
upon it. As it can be procured for eighteenpence per plant, it will 
not be necessary to incur a very large outlay in raising a stock ; two 
or three plants will be ample for the purpose. Lobelii ptimila White 
Pearl is also desirable, as the fiowers are pure white, and therefore 
useful ibr edgings. Lobelia Brilliant belongs to the Speciosa type, 
and is the best of the class, for it is much heartier in habit, and the 
flowers are several shades deeper in colour. This is decidedly the 
best of the blue lobelias, and the stock should be renewed annually 
from cuttings. A fitting companion to the preceding is Lobelia 
White Perfection, which makes charming beds and most effective 
edgings. These and L. pumila grandiflora may be regarded as the 
best of all the numerous varieties, and the only ones required in the 
small flower-garden. 
The free-growing Lresine Lindeni still remains at the head of the 
list of leaf-plants with dark foliage, for it combines an effective ap- 
pearance with a hardy constitution. It cannot be too highly recom- 
mended to those who have not yet grown it, as it is readily propagated, 
and may be wintered in an ordinary greenhouse or pit, provided it is 
kept rather dry at the roots. In Coleus Verschaffelti splendens we 
have the most effective, perhaps, of all the Coleus for bedding. In 
hardiness and freedom of growth it is equal to the parent, and the 
colour is a rich-flamed crimson, instead of deep chocolate. Coleus 
are only adapted for bedding in warm localities, and cannot well be 
wintered in the greenhouse ; but where they can be grown this 
should have the preference for its general good qualities. 
Several verbenas have been introduced for bedding purposes ; but 
the only varieties deserving the attention of the amateur are Basilislc, 
brilliant scarlet, fine habit and free, and Pomerania, a splendid 
hybrid, between the first-mentioned and the dwarf-growing Melin- 
dres ; it is very dwarf, and the scarlet flowers are produced freely in 
neat trusses. 
A very considerable number of bedding geraniums, of all classes, 
have been introduced within a very short time, and it would require 
a very long purse, and, as a leading grower puts it, “ a field to grow 
them in,” to keep pace with them. Some few are most valuable, 
and we have had three very fine pink-flowered varieties added to the 
list. These we are bound to regard as deserving of notice, for none 
of those already in general cultivation can be considered first-class. 
Of the three Maia is the best ; it is dwarf, free, and the flowers are 
of a very rich shade of rose-pink, forming grand masses. Bella is 
also good ; but the flowers are a few shades lighter. Mrs. Tipton is 
also desirable. They are to be preferred in the order in which they 
are here set down ; but, it is proper to add, the prices range in the 
same order from five shillings to sixpence per plant. Triomphe de 
Stella, a compact-growing nosegay, with brilliant orange-scarlet 
