DIPLADENIA SPLENDENS. 
529 
Peeuaps there is hardly a family of stove climbing plants 
more splendid than the Echites when well grown ; indeed, 
whether the plants are skilfully cultivated or not, the flowers, 
when they are produced, are in most cases grand and striking. 
The Dipladenias form a group of species which botanists have 
found it convenient to detach from the extensive family of 
Echites : several of them are popular plants at the present 
day, among which are the species whose name heads these 
remarks (and which is — not well — represented in the engrav- 
ing) ; D. crassinoda, a good deal like it, but perhaps a better 
species on the whole. for cultural purposes ; and J}, atropur- 
purea, which with the same habit of growth has flowers of 
a rich deep purplish tint. 
Our present subject may be popularly described as follows: 
— Stems shrubby, vigorous, and growing to a considerable 
length, smooth, and round. Lea yes nearly stalkless, wavy, 
somewhat leathery, elliptic-acuminate, with a heart-shaped 
base, from four to eight inches long, and from one and a half 
to three inches broad ; they are pubescent, especially on the 
under side, and the veining is prominent. Flowers very 
showy, in axillary four to six-flowered racemes, longer than 
the leaves, the tube of the corolla is about an inch and a half 
long, with a large spreading limb of five roundish, rose 
coloured lobes, each having a small oblique point ; these blos- 
soms are produced in the summer months. 
The species is a native of the Organ Mountains of Brazil, 
from whence it appears to have been first ob- 
tained for our gardens by Mr. Lobb, the bota- 
nical collector to Messrs. Veitch of Exeter : it 
was introduced about 1841. It belongs to the 
natural order Apocynacea?. 
In cultivation, this species of Dipladenia in 
common with the others requires stove tem- 
perature, and a moist atmosphere when making 
its growth ; it is moreover much benefited by 
mild bottom heat, that is, heat applied to its 
roots. Being a strong grower, plenty of pot 
room must be allowed to obtain a good plant, 
but the pots must be thoroughly drained ; a 
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compost of equal parts turfy loam and peat, 
opened if necessary by the addition of sand, 
will be a proper medium for its roots. If 
grown in a pot, spiral training round a pillar 
trellis is most suitable; or should any devotee 
of flat, shield, or peacock's-tail trellises be- 
come possessed of the plant under notice, if he 
will but attempt to train it over one or other 
of these forms — it may help to lead him to a 
better taste in this respect. It may be in- 
creased by cuttings planted in sand, and 
placed in a mild hotbed, where they may be 
kept moderately close until rooted. 
m M 
